Lupita Nyong'o is not only one of this year's breakout actresses, but also a breakout fashion icon. Nyong'o frequently wears flirty and feminine looks from designers like Peter Pilotto, Christian Dior, and Calvin Klein—she sat front row at the brand's Fall/Winter 2014 show. She's learned to bring her A-game to red-carpet appearances. From bright frocks to playful patterns, the 12 Years a Slave actress is a style star to watch. Here's a look at her best pieces.
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Returning to bold prints, Nyong’o chose a Peter Pilotto dress in various shades of green for the DuJour magazine party on February 19. The actress, who was the glossy's most recent cover girl, paired the resort 2014 number with lime green Manolo Blahnik heels and a gold Michael Nelson clutch.
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For the 2014 BAFTAs in London on February 16, the actress turned heads in an emerald green Christian Dior gown with a not-so-subtle train. Cinched at the waist with a gold metallic belt, Nyong’o also accessorized with Ana Khouri cuffs and pearl earrings.
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Nyong'o attended the Charles Finch and Chanel pre-BAFTA party on February 15 in a pink tweed Chanel dress and matching cropped jacket. She paired the Chanel combo with a striped quilted bag by the designer and silver, pointed-toe Christian Louboutins.
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The actress attended the Calvin Klein Fall/Winter 2014 show during New York Fashion Week on February 13. Seated next to Anna Wintour, the actress was seen in a pale pink, long-sleeve dress tied at the waist paired with matching sandals and a clutch, all by the designer.
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From runway to red carpet, Nyong’o attended the 13th annual AARP’s Movies for Grownups Awards Gala on February 10 in a mocha-colored satin dress straight off the Valentino Fall 2013 couture runway.
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The lilac Christian Dior frock that the actress wore to the 86th Academy Awards nominees luncheon on February 10 was all kinds of feminine. The bold orange glycines-print popped against the sleeveless dress that was paired with navy Paul Andrew shoes and a Judith Leiber clutch.
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For the 25th annual Producers Guild of America Awards on January 19, Nyong’o chose a nude-colored Stella McCartney dress. The asymmetrical, one-shouldered design was paired with brown strappy shoes, also by the designer, and a snakeskin clutch.
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Always one to pull off a bright color, the actress arrived at the 2014 SAG awards on January 18 in a one-of-a-kind floor-length turquoise dress by Gucci that featured an elaborate, gold-flaked, floral neckpiece.
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The actress went vintage for the Entertainment Weekly SAG Awards pre-party on January 17, sporting a gold sleeveless mini-dress by Valentino that was originally designed in the sixties. The floral embroidery and colorful beads coordinated perfectly with pewter Paul Andrew pumps and an Amanda Pearl clutch.
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Nyong'o opted for a sleek, white bandeau dress and a silver box clutch, both by Calvin Klein, for the 19th annual Critics' Choice Awards on January 16.
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Arriving at the 71st annual Golden Globes on January 12, the 12 Years a Slave actress looked flawless in a radiant red caped dress by Ralph Lauren.
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After the Independent Filmmaker brunch, a wardrobe change was in order. Keeping with a collage of bold prints and bright colors, Nyong'o selected a pastel blue dreamscape dress by Mary Katrantzou, paired with violet Paul Andrew pumps, and a polka-dot Sophia Webster clutch for DuJour magazine’s ‘Great Performances Issue’ launch party, of which she appeared on the cover.
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Switching from her previously darker-colored outfits, the actress arrived at the 2014 Independent Filmmaker Grant and Spirit Awards on January 11 in light and summery shorts and a loose top by Peter Pilotto. She accessorized with white Sophia Webster pumps and an Anya Hindmarch clutch.
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Nyong’o opted for a navy and gold floral-printed Carolina Herrera dress for the 14th annual AFT Awards luncheon on January 10. She completed the look with blue Manolo Blahniks and stud earrings by Jamie Wolf.
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Rocking head-to-toe Proenza Schouler to the W magazine pre-Golden Globes party on January 9, the actress looked edgy and chic with a cross-paneled black dress and a black-and-white ponyskin clutch. Nyong’o appeared on the cover of W later that month.
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As the receipient of the Breakthrough Performance Award at the 25th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards, Nyong’o sported a glittering Elie Saab dress belted at the waist, strappy Christian Louboutin heels, and Cartier jewelry.
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On December 2, Nyong’o arrived at the 23rd annual Gotham Independent Film Awards in an elegant white strapless Lanvin dress. Her Fred Leighton jewelry provided an stylish touch, while the red pumps, also by Lanvin, gave the outfit a pop of color.
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Arriving at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science’s Governors Award ceremony on November 16, the 12 Years a Slave actress sported a tuxedo-inspired black Prabal Gurung wrap-around dress with a white collar from the designer’s 2014 Resort collection.
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At GQ's "Men Of The Year" party in Los Angeles on November 12, Nyong'o looked flawless in a pale pink Cushnie et Ochs dress with with front, cut-out details.
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The actress attended the 2013 BAFTA LA Jaguar Britannia Awards on November 9 in a black and cream Lanvin gown.
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Nyong'o wore a gray ensemble -- consisting of a tweed jacket and sequined skirt -- from Chanel's Fall 2013 collection at the Museum of Modern Art's 2013 Film benefit on November 5.
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During her guest appearance at the Today Show on October 30, Nyong'o sported a red and blue, flower-patterned dress by Miu Miu underneath a blue Prada jacket.
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Arriving at the 17th annual Hollywood Film Awards on October 21, Nyong'o sported a floor-length, bright yellow J. Mendel gown with Monique Péan jewlery, a Judith Leiber clutch, and Jean-Michel Cazabat pumps.
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Nyong’o walked the red carpet at the 57th BFI London Film Festival in a LBD, with waist cut-outs, from Christopher Kane's Resort 2014 collection. She matches her dress with black and white Christian Louboutin heels and a silver clutch, and adds a pop of color with blue eyeshadow and red lipstick.
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Nyong'o attended Variety’s screening of 12 Years a Slave in Hollywood on October 16, wearing a white silk button-down beneath a structured black blazer and a pair of black-and-yellow printed shorts from Prada’s Fall 2013 collection.
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After sitting front row at Miu Miu's Spring 2014 show, it's no surprise Nyong'o plucked her dress straight from the runway on October 14. The actress rocks a feminine, sater-style light-pink, long-sleeved dress featuring a high-neck and a pleated skirt. On top of the playful, art deco-inspired pattern, Nyong'o adds a few more pops of color with a pair of red Christian Louboutin heels, a Judith Leiber clutch, Kwiat jewels, and some subtle pink lipstick.
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Sporting a polka-dotted dress by Moschino, Nyong'o arrives at the 36th Annual Mill Valley Film Festival Spotlight Program on October 11.
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Looking rad in Rodarte, Nyong'o walks the red carpet at the New Orleans Film Festival on October 10. She wears a bold yet sophisticated brocade dress -- with leather and Swarovski crystal details -- from the designer's Fall 2013 collection, accessorizing with a Judith Leiber clutch, Kwiat jewels, and Christian Louboutin heels.
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For the premiere of 12 Years a Slave during the 51st New York Film Festival on October 8, Nyong'o sported a bright blue Roland Mouret dress with Kwiat jewels and simple black pumps.
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For Miu Miu's Spring/Summer 2014 show on October 2, Nyong'o kept her ensemble bold in color and simple in accessories. She wore this bright pink, short-sleeved mini-dress with only a hint of jewels and plain black pumps.
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Nyong'o attends the Broadway opening night for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet on September 19 in a royal blue dress, with black side-paneling from Jonathan Saunders's Pre-Fall 2013 collection.
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At the TIFF/HFPA InStyle party on September 9, Nyong'o revealed herself in a black, strapless Veronica Beard jumpsuit. Its sleek cut and simple hue accentuated her bold accessories: polka-dot Paul Andrew heels, Kwiat statement earrings and bracelet, and a gold and red Calvin Klein box clutch.
Nyong'o arrived at the the Grey Goose dinner for The Invisible Woman during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9 in style, wearing a red, tweed Moschino coat with a leather collar and two bows around the waist. Playing with patterns, she paired the coat with black and white polka dot Paul Andrew heels.
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Bold and bright seem to be Nyong'o staple. The actress attended the Fox Searchlight TIFF party on September 7 wearing a glowing orange dress featuring a folded, low-cut back from Antonio Berardi's Pre-Fall 2013 collection. Nyong'o nails the accessories as well, pairing a pair of leopard, pony-hair Christian Louboutin heels and simple gold hoop earrings with the frock.
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Nyong'o stuns in white at the 12 Years a Slave premiere at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival on September 6. The actress took the red carpet by storm in a long-sleeve, floor-length Prada gown with gold embroidery. Her jeweled Prada clutch accentuates the sequin bodice.
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Nyong'o attends EndGame: The Global Campaign To Defeat AIDS, TB, And Malaria Charity Event on May 30in NYC wearing a comfortable, strapless black jumpsuit and a bold statement necklace.
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