Black Excellence Takes Center Stage at The Plaza Hotel
The 2025 Glamour Women of the Year Awards lit up The Plaza Hotel in New York City on November 4, celebrating women who continue to shape culture through talent, resilience, and innovation. Among this year’s honorees were Grammy-winning South African artist Tyla, global beauty visionary Pat McGrath, and actress Demi Moore, who joined a powerful lineup of women from entertainment, fashion, and sports.
Hosted by Glamour magazine, the star-studded event honored women leading change across industries — from music and beauty to activism and sports. Tyla, known for her viral hit Water, stunned in vintage Dior, while McGrath, recognized as one of the most influential makeup artists in the world, delivered a moving tribute to her mother. “Beauty isn’t about color but about identity and self-expression and joy,” McGrath told the audience.
Tyla and Pat McGrath Shine Among Global Trailblazers
Tyla’s recognition marks another milestone in a breakout year for the 22-year-old singer who has become one of Africa’s most talked-about global stars. Her performance and presence represented a new generation of young Black women using artistry to bridge cultures and generations.
Meanwhile, Pat McGrath, often called the “Mother of Makeup,” was honored for her decades-long impact on global beauty standards. McGrath, founder of Pat McGrath Labs, has reshaped the fashion industry with her artistry and advocacy for diversity on international runways. Her understated look — a black trench coat and crystal-embroidered headband — reflected the effortless confidence that defines her brand.
Glamour Awards Spotlight Women Leading Culture and Style
This year’s ceremony also featured appearances by influential women in fashion and entertainment, including Love Island stars Olandria Carthen and Chelley Bissainthe, both known for using their platforms to advocate for women’s confidence and solidarity. NBA player Jonquel Jones, honored for her achievements in sports and community work, turned heads in a tailored blue suit that matched her New York Liberty team colors.
The evening celebrated not only celebrity glamour but also sisterhood, resilience, and the shared mission of redefining womanhood in modern culture. From the red carpet to the acceptance speeches, each moment underscored how women of color continue to influence global conversations around beauty, identity, and empowerment.
A Night Honoring Power, Purpose, and Representation
Held inside one of New York’s most iconic venues, the event highlighted a generational shift — where women’s stories are centered on strength and authenticity rather than conformity. Glamour’s 2025 theme focused on the women “shaping history with style and substance,” a sentiment that resonated throughout the night.
From Tyla’s rise as a cross-continental pop star to McGrath’s global influence in redefining beauty, the honorees stood as symbols of what it means to lead with both grace and impact. The awards reaffirmed that when women, especially Black women, take up space in rooms of influence, culture evolves — beautifully.
