Harper’s Bazaar hosted its 2025 Women of the Year event in Madrid on Tuesday, featuring a string of international stars and global icons. Gold medalist and renowned gymnast Simone Biles was among the high-profile guests, styling a red carpet look that made her shimmer from head to toe.
Biles was joined by actress Emma Roberts, who drew on high-fashion runway inspiration for her attire at the event. WWD breaks down those celebrity style moments and more ahead. Biles opted for a head-to-toe glittering dress for her attire. The seven-time Olympic gold medalist wore a sleeveless gown in a bright shade of white with encrusted crystals sewn into the delicate fabric. The dress featured slim halter straps with a rounded neckline. Biles completed her attire with platform heels.
Glamour Meets Star Power at Madrid’s Women of the Year Gala
The night was shimmering with star power, elegance, and jaw-dropping fashion as the glitterati of Hollywood and sport descended on Madrid for the Women of the Year Awards. This year’s edition stood out not only for the honourees but for the runway-worthy styles showcased by icons like Emma Roberts and Simone Biles. We’re taking you inside the event, decoding the looks, the brands, and the fashion message they sent.
Setting the Scene: Madrid, Glamour & a Night to Remember
Madrid has always been the perfect backdrop for high-fashion meets high-profile. The event took place in the Spanish capital, and the vibe was electric: celebrities, designers, red carpet photographers—all converging in one place. With media flashbulbs and couture silhouettes, the city for one night transformed into a fashion playground.
Who’s Who: The Big Names that Lit Up the Carpet
Emma Roberts — Hollywood Darling Turns Style Maven
Emma Roberts stepped onto the red carpet wearing a jaw-dropping custom piece by Fendi. Her choice underscored not only Hollywood’s love for high fashion but her own evolution into a style icon. According to coverage of the event, Roberts’ gown was bespoke and built to impress.
She arrived with confidence, radiating elegance and a sense of fun—proving that fashion can be both serious and playful.
Simone Biles — Athletic Powerhouse Glitters in Crystals
Simone Biles, the gymnast-turned-style-sensation, didn’t just show up—she staked her claim on the red carpet. Dressed in a white crystal-encrusted halter gown, she sparkled from every angle. The look was captured in galleries from the event.
For Biles, this wasn’t just a fashion moment—it was a statement of presence, power and personality.
Breaking Down the Looks
Emma Roberts’ Custom Fendi: A Closer Look
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Brand & design: Being a custom creation by Fendi gives Roberts’ gown instant prestige.
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Silhouette & fabric: The piece appears to meld sensuality (perhaps through a semi-sheer bodice or elegant drape) with sophistication—per one report on Roberts’ carpet moment.
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Styling details: With custom gowns like this, jewellery, hair and makeup become the supporting acts. Emma paired minimal accessories to keep the focus on the dress.
Simone Biles’ Crystal Gown: Why It Works
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Material & shine: Crystals catch the light, draw the eye, and reflect a star’s glittering status.
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Design choices: The halter neckline and white base color give the outfit a refined, almost celestial feel—fitting for an athlete whose achievements are anything but grounded.
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Impact: As one observer put it, “dazzling in her jewel-encrusted white floor-length gown.”
Fashion Trends Highlighted by the Event
Custom Couture Still Rules the Red Carpet
From Roberts’ bespoke Fendi to Biles’ tailor-made crystal gown, bespoke pieces are reigning supreme. When you custom-make something, you ensure it fits personality, body, and the moment.
Sparkle, Sequins & Crystals Aren’t Going Anywhere
This event reaffirmed that bold, shimmering statement dresses remain red-carpet gold. Whether it’s a dress shimmering like water under lights or full-on crystals, they signal “look at me” in the best way.
Bold Brand Choices Reflect Star Identity
Choosing a brand like Fendi isn’t random—it signals taste, luxury, and fashion pedigree. Similarly, the choice of statement gowns for athletes like Biles signals crossover appeal between sport and style.
Behind the Scenes: What You Might Not See
The Preparation, the Styling, the Night Before
Getting ready for an event like this is intense. Hair trials, dress fittings, accessories and shoe-tests all come together. A custom gown means extra tailoring, perhaps special fabric treatments and lighting checks so it photographs perfectly.
The Red Carpet Moment: Posing, Photography & Angles
Once the star hits the carpet, the moment is fleeting. Photographers fire, designers hold their breath, social media waits. It’s about the right angle, the right pose, and the catch of light. That’s why crystals and silhouettes become so important—the camera picks them up.
Why This Matters: Style, Identity & Perception
Fashion as Identity
When Emma Roberts chooses a custom Fendi, she’s not just picking a dress—she’s expressing who she is now: confident, high-fashion, bold. For Simone Biles, a crystal gown says “I’m still the athlete, but now I’m the style icon too.”
Media Amplification
These looks don’t stay at the event—they circulate. Instagram posts, fashion blogs, red-carpet round-ups. Each photo becomes a headline, each angle gets reposted. The event becomes a narrative of style, influence and branding.
Influence on Trends
When high-profile figures embrace custom couture and dramatic crystal gowns, the industry takes note. We’ll see echoes of these looks in upcoming collections and possibly in wedding dresses, formal wear, and celebrity wardrobes.
Other Memorable Looks From the Night
While Roberts and Biles took centre stage, the event featured a variety of standout moments:
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A range of international fashion-stars and socialites added local flavour to the gala. Creative use of accessories, from statement earrings to bold shoes, anchored many looks and elevated them beyond “just another gown.”
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The mix of formal couture with a hint of fun—the red carpet wasn’t only serious business; it had personality.
Style Insights for You – What You Can Borrow
Embrace One Statement Piece
If you’re dressing for a big night, pick one element to go bold—whether it’s shimmer, crystals, or a dramatic silhouette. Let the rest be the supporting cast.
Invest in Fit and Fabric
Many times what sets apart a “good dress” from a “red carpet dress” is how it fits and how the fabric moves/photographs. Fit matters. Fabric matters.
Let Accessories Be Minimal But Intentional
When your dress exudes drama, your accessories should complement—not compete. Emma’s minimal styling and Simone’s clean lines are proof of that.
Photography-Friendly Elements Are Key
Consider how light catches crystal, how gowns look in motion, how jewelry reflects. If you’ll be photographed, these details matter.
The Bigger Picture: Why Events Like This Shape Fashion
Awards & Galas as Fashion Showcases
Events like the Women of the Year Awards aren’t just about honours—they’re about visibility. The red carpet becomes a runway, the stars become ambassadors for fashion.
The Brand-Celebrity Partnership
Designers and celebrities exchange value: stars wear the clothes, brands receive publicity. When Emma wears custom Fendi, it brings attention to both her and the label.
Global Style Influence
With media coverage sweeping globally, what happens in Madrid doesn’t stay in Madrid. It influences trends in Australia, Asia, America. Fashion is being shaped in real time, on global stages.
Reflections: What This Moment Says About 2025 Fashion
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Boldness meets elegance: This moment says that 2025 fashion isn’t about hiding—it’s about being seen, elegantly.
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Crossover of worlds: Athletes become fashion icons, Hollywood stars embrace couture—we’re in a new era of style versatility.
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Craftsmanship matters: Custom gowns, crystal detailing, bespoke tailoring—it’s craftsmanship making its mark.
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Global platforms, local impact: Fashion moments in Madrid ripple worldwide; what’s worn there can influence what’s sold and celebrated elsewhere.
Final Thoughts on the Night
Walking away from the event, it’s clear that Emma Roberts and Simone Biles delivered more than beautiful outfits—they offered narratives. Emma told us that she’s evolving as a style star. Simone reminded us that strength and elegance can share the same stage. And all of it happened under the fierce lights of Madrid’s red carpet.
Conclusion
The Women of the Year event in Madrid was more than an awards ceremony—it was a showcase of transformation, power, elegance, and glamour. From Emma Roberts’ striking custom Fendi gown to Simone Biles’ dazzling crystal dress, each look told its own story. And more importantly, they reminded us that fashion isn’t just about clothes—it’s about identity, display, and influence. Whether you’re preparing for your own go-big moment or simply observing style from afar, these are the cues worth noting. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just what you wear—it’s how you command your space.
