Padma Lakshmi’s Best Red Carpet Looks

The SI Swimsuit model and culinary personality has been a staple at movie premieres, award ceremonies and glamorous events for the past decade.

Ananya Panchal | Jan 26, 2024

Padma Lakshmi.

Gilbert Flores/Getty Images

Culinary personality Padma Lakshmi has been serving looks for decades. The SI Swimsuit model, who made her debut with the magazine last year, is also a mom of one and passionate activist, who uses her platform to raise awareness for minority cultures and social justice issues.

The former Top Chef host, who is now the host and executive producer of Emmy-nominated Hulu series Taste the Nation, began modeling in her early 20s. She became well known as one of the first Indian models to find success in the industry in Paris, Milan and New York.

The 53-year-old has had a stacked and dynamic career, and we’re taking a look back at some of her best, most glamorous and elegant red carpet moments to date.

Green goddess

Padma Lakshmi.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Lakshmi attended the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards just a few weeks ago in the most gorgeous, deep V-neck green gown from Marchesa. She went with her daughter, Krishna, by her side, and it appeared that the two had a blast.

Mixed metals

If anyone can rock silver and gold, it‘s Lakshmi. She left our jaws on the floor at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Jan. 7 in this stunning, strapless, figure-hugging Prabal Gurung number.

Ice queen

The executive producer rocked the most marvelous chiffon, tulle blue gown featuring a decorative rose-embellished neckline, a thigh-high slit and a dramatic asymmetrical train at the TIME100 Gala in New York City last year.

SI Swimsuit moment to shine

The SI Swimsuit model, who traveled to the breathtaking island of Dominica with photographer Yu Tsai for last year’s feature, celebrated her exciting moment in the magazine with a showstopping white midi dress that hugged her curves perfectly for the publication’s New York City launch in May.

Beaded businesswear

The New York Times best-selling author took business-casual to the next level at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, and added her own glamorous, racy twist to this Christian Siriano powersuit. The daring set featured a plunging neckline blazer and flattering pants, both with a gorgeous crystal bead detailing.

A vision in red

Everyone knows a red dress never fails, but a satin ruby moment is truly unbeatable. Especially when the gorgeous Lakshmi is wearing it. She wore the above number to attend the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women event in 2019.

Monochrome sheer

Lakshmi tested out the naked dress trend before it was cool. She looked absolutely beautiful in this black-and-white mesh net gown with a sleek black strapless bodysuit underneath at the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

Bridalcore at its finest

This one is an old look, but its been living in our minds rent-free since the United Nations Development Program’s Inaugural Global Goals Gala in 2016. Lakshmi stunned in a slim-fitting satin white gown with delicate thin straps and a sweet scoop neckline.

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Published Jan 26, 2024

ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2022, she worked at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. When she is not writing or doom-scrolling on social media, Panchal can be found playing sudoku, rewatching One Tree Hill or trying new restaurants. She's also a coffee and chocolate (separately) enthusiast. Panchal has a bachelor’s in communications and journalism from Boston University.