Lupita Nyong'o Lauds Designer Of Her 2023 Tony Award Couture

Lupita Nyong'o made a bold fashion move at the 2023 Tony Awards!

The multiple award-winning actresses shot with a clear misdirect in a garment, making her appear to be baring it all on the red carpet. The stunning fit featured a daring silver breastplate top that made her look topless, miles away from the traditional glitz and glamour outfits she had been seen wearing at the annual awards ceremony.

Nyong'o was the cynosure of all eyes when she stepped on the red carpet of this year's Tony Awards, which was held in New York City on Sunday, June 11. The 40-year-old donned a racy custom-made silver breastplate molded from her body and brought to life by Misha Japanwala, a Pakistani fashion designer and visual artist. 

The breastplate showcased the "Black Panther" actress' midriff and bust and was paired with a sleek black jacket, matching flared chic trousers and eye-catching earrings. She also sported a detailed head tattoo that seemed drawn with henna, with a face beat featuring a berry lip color and smoky eye shadow.

The Hampshire College alum gave a closer look at the fit on Instagram with a slew of pictures that she captured in what appeared to be a hotel room. While she opted to rock Japanwala's work because of its obvious appeal, Nyong'o shared in her caption that it had even more meaning.

After describing that wearing the garment was a "shameless, out-of-body experience," the "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" voice star explained that the designer's "work is rooted in the rejection and deconstruction of external shame attached to one's body." 

"In her artistic process, she creates a realistic and true record of a person's body as an act of resistance and celebration and an insistence on being allowed to exist freely in our bodies," she continued.

She then included a lengthy quote from Japanwala about focusing on feeling unashamed of her work, wrapping up with an appreciation to the Parsons School of Design alum that read:

"Misha, thank you for this special opportunity to BE EXACTLY HERE, IN THIS BODY NOW." 

One of the night's most original — and thought-provoking — fashion moments expectedly caught the attention of Nyong'o's fans and colleagues with "Eve's Bayou" actress Jurnee Smollett, gushing, "How many times can I like one picture!?!? My beauty. You look stunning. Thank you for being you. That's all. Love you so."

Show creator Michaela Angela Davis asked, "Can we talk about the head as well, though ?" and singer-songwriter Janelle Monae typed, "Phenomenal." Additionally, one fan lauded, "What a fabulous celebration of the body. I would love to do this after I finish breast cancer treatment."

"tbh every girlie should have a breastplate molded from her chest, incredible," a second fan commented, while a third added, "As if we needed one more reason to Treasure, Admire, Celebrate, and Love you... BRAVO."

Nyong'o similarly caused an online stir when she unveiled her bald look on Instagram last month. As reported by The Blast, the picture featured the "East River" actress wearing soft makeup, including gold eyeshadow, rosy blush, and brown lip color. 

"Happy without hair! (Application for the Dora Milaje submitted! ??‍♀️)," she typed in the accompanying caption, referring to a select group of female warriors in the "Black Panther" franchise.

The "Sulwe" author shattered the hearts of millions when she went Instagram official with her current boyfriend, Selema Masekela, The Blast reported in December 2022.

At the time, the happy couple had shared a video that showed them partaking in a popular social media trend, where participants' outfits change as they snap their fingers to the beat of Iniko's "The King's Affirmation (Chill Mix)."

The celebrity couple transitioned from matching bathrobes to matching animal skin swimwear and stunning yellow and blue formal wear. It wrapped up with the Michael Kors Watch Hunger Stop campaign ambassador and the television host having a silly-face dance-off.

Nyong'o wrote, "We just click! @selema #thisismylove #nuffsaid" in her caption, and her beau stated in his, "Hearts are synched. My whole and actual love, @lupitanyongo. #outkickedthecoverage ?."

Monae, alongside actress Tracee Ellis Ross and television personality Jason Kennedy gushed about the lovebirds in the comments. While the Grammy-nominated singer commented, "Obsessed," Ross dropped multiple heart emojis, and Kennedy expressed, "I'm here for this ?."