What does it take to grow to be an artist of the trendy Christmas carol canon?
The TV vacation particular is one ceremony of passage that comes to thoughts. Musicians that goal for his or her works to discover its means to the highest of the festive playlists have a tendency to go all-out of their embodiment of the Christmas spirit, and these specials are sometimes full with scenic units, collaborations with fellow artists and unforgettable costuming.
During the coldest and darkest month of the winter season, bundling up has by no means been an excuse for dressing down. So a lot of our favourite artists have traditionally pulled out all of the stops for probably the most fantastic time of the 12 months, and a few ensembles of Christmas previous and current come to thoughts.
Christina Aguilera, “Christina Aguilera: Christmas in Paris” – 2025
Aired simply yesterday, Aguilera’s vacation particular sees the artist replicate poignantly on her previous 25 years within the music trade, dressed to the nines for vacation numbers within the metropolis of lights.
Her array of distinctive robes was cultivated by stylist Chris Horan, who’s additionally identified to pull collectively seems for figures like Charli XCX and Barbie Ferreira. Horan enlisted the work of Celia Kritharioti, the oldest couture home in Athens, for one iconic scarlet costume; its flared mermaid silhouette feels nearly operatic. A customized, hand-embellished catsuit from Agent Provocateur for her rendition of “Santa Baby” first feels unconventional to the vacation theme however finds its that means within the particulars.The go well with grounds itself in a translucent, brocaded sample that reads like a reinvention of the classical. The particular itself was made scenic each by its ensembles and ornate view of the Eiffel Tower.
Mariah Carey, “Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to All!” – 2022
Looking into the seems of Mother Christmas herself, Mariah Carey’s reign over the vacation season has been studded by outfits which have cemented themselves as vacation iconography.
Beyond her traditional scarlet scoopneck that she wears for her 1994 “Merry Christmas Album,” her sequence of vacation specials have seen her present up in equal pressure. Her 2022 TV particular, Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to All!, was styled by Wilfredo Rosado, with whom Carey has a longstanding skilled relationship. Rosado additionally styled the songstress for her 2024 Las Vegas residency and 2015 particular Mariah Carey’s Merriest Christmas. According to Harper’s Bazaarhe even designed the 35-carat diamond ring for her engagement to James Packer in 2016. Her costuming on this 2022 particular are adorned with equal shimmer and have a give attention to accessorization, from the tinsel of the white robe she wears for a rendition of “Silent Night” to the tassels of the Nutcracker-inspired bedazzled bodysuit she dons for the TV particular’s finale. Carey’s flashy suits and showmanship scream holidays in a means that few different artists can – there’s a motive she thaws annually to dwell on the high of the charts.
Kacey Musgraves, “The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show” – 2019
A celebration of her 2016 album A Very Kacey ChristmasKacey Musgraves pulled collectively a number of visitors to carry out together with her alongside a dwell band within the heat of an emerald inexperienced parlor.
She shared with reporters forward of the premiere that she envisioned the particular as “Wes Anderson-meets-Gucci-meets-Cher-meets-a live theater production,” embodied in full-force by her collaborations with designer Susie Cave. Her seems obtain that sense of otherworldly timelessness by ethereal and traditional options, akin to a silver midi costume with frilled hemmings by Cave’s model, The Vampire’s Wife. Another fabulously formal look was a purple robe from Giambattista Valli, which had a sweeping lower and was adorned with ruffles and an outsized bow. A rust-colored, beaded pantsuit pairs completely with a billowy translucent high function the point of interest of her rendition of “Let it Snow” alongside James Corden. From matching Troye Sivan in shimmering Gucci go well with units for authentic and appropriately titled track “Glittery” in an simple program spotlight to donning twee purple tights and a Christmas sweater as she banters with the gang, her different seems vary from hearth consolation to Christmas cocktail hour.
Halle Bailey, “A Motown Christmas” – 2024
Last 12 months, Bailey collaborated with songwriter and producer Smokey Robinson to put a stylized and resonant spin on vacation classics.
For the particular, she was dressed by Nicky Good, whose curated seems have seen Bailey by Rockefeller Center’s current Christmas tree lighting, the 2023 Met Gala, and the world premiere of The Little Mermaid, which Bailey starred in. Bailey donned a golden halter-neck robe from designer Le Thanh Hoa, full with rippling sequins and a shimmering rosette, to carry out a medley of Diana Ross classics, together with a cowl of The Supremes’ “Stop! In the Name of Love.” She additionally joined Robinson pianoside in a luminescent emerald robe from Maison Metand wore a scarlet satin off-the-shoulder robe from Saiid Kobeisy, embodying the vacation by wealthy jewel tones and splendid material seems.
Eleanor Jacobs is PAPER’s 2025 Fall Intern
Images through Getty