Coi Leray Brings Botanical Inspiration to BET Hip Hop Awards 2023 Red Carpet in Crystal-embellished Area Skirt Set

Coi Leray made a head-turning arrival to the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards on Tuesday in Atlanta, embracing her wild side in a botanical Area look. Leray, who was nominated for five awards this year, wore a pink and purple skirt set that featured shining paillette and crystal embellishments.

Styled by Zoe Costello, the rapper’s look was fresh off the runway, from Area’s fall 2023 ready-to-wear collection. Helmed by the brand’s cofounder and creative director Piotrek Panszczyk Burke, the collection embraced primal instinct dressing.

“For fall, Panszczyk was thinking about primal instincts — the first time humans started wearing clothing, then out of necessity and consisting of animal hides and bones,” WWD reported in September.

Channeling a nostalgic hairstyle worn by many hip-hop female artists, including Missy Elliott, Leray wore her tresses chopped in blue finger waves, working with hair artist Carlyle Nicole.

Leray last made a series of standout style statements at New York Fashion Week in September. To the Dion Lee spring 2024 ready-to-wear fashion show, she wore a cutout top with black cargo pants. That same month, for Tommy Hilfiger and SZA’s brunch to celebrate the brand’s fall ad campaign, she went minimalist in a trenchcoat with the brand’s bra and white panties underneath.

The 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards will premiere on BET on Oct. 10, celebrating the best and brightest in the legendary genre. Hosted by Fat Joe, this year’s celebration aligns with the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and includes Timbaland, Marley Marl and Swizz Beatz as honorees.