Lainey Wilson returned as the solo host of the 59th Annual CMA Awards held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, leading a night that honors country music’s established and rising stars. Throughout the ceremony, Wilson is set to perform and walk the carpet, transforming the event into her own fashion show.
The singer intentionally crafted her fashion choices with her longtime stylist, Alexandra Mandelkorn, to tell a coherent story throughout the event, reflecting both her Western roots and bold individuality. Her red carpet look featured a sequin-embellished jumpsuit by Reem Acra, metallic Betzábe shoes and jewelry by Cadar and Kallati, as well as her signature cowboy hat by Charlie 1 Horse.
“I wanted every look to feel like a different chapter of the same story,” Wilson told WWD ahead of the event. “Hosting, performing, and walking the carpet all call for their own flavor, but they still had to feel like me: Western at the core and rooted in where I come from, but also bold and unique.”
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She emphasized that her outfits were an extension of her confidence and identity. “Before I ever open my mouth, my clothes say something. I love using fashion to bring the music to life, whether that’s a detail that hints at the chapter I’m in or a look that sets the tone for a moment,” Wilson said.
Mandelkorn described the evening as “special and historic” for Wilson, marking only the third time a female artist has hosted the event solo. “We wanted to go big and most importantly have fun with the fashion,” Mandelkorn said. “It’s country! It’s a space where rhinestones, sequins, feathers and all the embellishments have been a staple, and we wanted her looks to reflect that history.”
Mandelkorn’s inspiration for Lainey’s CMA Awards 2025 wardrobe came from figures like Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire and Cher, but the looks were distinctly Wilson’s own. Bell-bottoms, a key element of Wilson’s style, were incorporated in various silhouettes to maintain the foundation of her aesthetic. Accessories played a pivotal role in transforming the outfits into authentic Western looks, featuring hats by Charlie 1 Horse, classic jewelry from Dakota Skystone, and Wilson’s own rodeo belt buckles.
For Mandelkorn, the main challenge was ensuring that each outfit stood on its own while still feeling part of a cohesive fashion narrative. She praised Wilson’s work ethic and openness to experimentation, saying, “She’s one of the hardest working women I’ve ever met and she is down to try anything, pushing herself outside of her boundaries.”
The look that opens the show during Wilson’s monologue was a highlight for her, described as “powerful but smooth” and the perfect tone-setter for the evening.
