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fashion yearbook
July 2, 2012

Slideshow: Nicki Minaj, Chaka Khan, Swizz Beatz, and Other Red Carpet Looks From the 2012 BET Awards

By Charlotte Cowles

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Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

One red carpet trend made itself abundantly clear at yesterday’s BET Awards: Cutouts and sheer panels, conveniently situated everywhere from chest to tummy to legs so as to allow for maximum ventilation. See cleavage-area cutouts on Taraji P. Henson and Melyssa Ford, waist cut-outs on Dawn Richard, and shoulder cutouts on Nicki Minaj and Latanya Richardson (we counted over a dozen cutouts total). Meanwhile, the male attendees wore everything from ties to naked ladies. See the full red carpet rundown in our slideshow.

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1 / 24 Photos
Taraji P. Henson Matching one's toenails to one's dress is always a thoughtful touch. (Also, note her cleavage cutout, the first of several on th... Taraji P. Henson Matching one's toenails to one's dress is always a thoughtful touch. (Also, note her cleavage cutout, the first of several on this red carpet.) Photo: Allen Berezovsky/2012 Allen Berezovsky
Jermaine Dupri and Leah Labelle Jermaine is at JUST the right height to look at Leah's... necklace. Photo: Allen Berezovsky/2012 Allen Berezovs... Jermaine Dupri and Leah Labelle Jermaine is at JUST the right height to look at Leah's... necklace. Photo: Allen Berezovsky/2012 Allen Berezovsky
Chaka Khan Channeling her best Angelina leg. God bless. Photo: Jason LaVeris/2012 Jason LaVeris
Swizz Beatz He's wearing these pants! Also, perhaps in the spirit of ventilation, he's left one shoulder zip undone (that counts as a cutout, no?... Swizz Beatz He's wearing these pants! Also, perhaps in the spirit of ventilation, he's left one shoulder zip undone (that counts as a cutout, no?). Photo: Jason LaVeris/2012 Jason LaVeris
Brandy Norwood At first glance, this trim looked like leopard print and we were prepared to recoil. But it's actually just some cool beadwork, an... Brandy Norwood At first glance, this trim looked like leopard print and we were prepared to recoil. But it's actually just some cool beadwork, and she looks great. Well done, Brandy. Photo: Jason LaVeris/2012 Jason LaVeris
Nicki Minaj We have gotten several emails today from the publicist of the designer who makes these snakeskin leggings: Her name is Ekaterina Kukh... Nicki Minaj We have gotten several emails today from the publicist of the designer who makes these snakeskin leggings: Her name is Ekaterina Kukhareva, should anyone be interested in purchasing some pants just like these. In other news, Nicki's hair looks unusually natural. (Also: shoulder cutouts!) Photo: Jason LaVeris/2012 Jason LaVeris
Selita Ebanks The sheerness of this skirt is unusually worthwhile because the bottom half of Selita's bodysuit is interesting. Photo: Allen Ber... Selita Ebanks The sheerness of this skirt is unusually worthwhile because the bottom half of Selita's bodysuit is interesting. Photo: Allen Berezovsky/2012 Allen Berezovsky
Busta Rhymes You know you're getting overly excited for the Olympics when you saw his bling and immediately thought, "Gold medals?!" ... Busta Rhymes You know you're getting overly excited for the Olympics when you saw his bling and immediately thought, "Gold medals?!" Photo: Allen Berezovsky/2012 Allen Berezovsky
Kerry Washington Who cares if she looks nude from the belt up? That belt buckle will deflect all haters with invisible lasers. Photo: Frederick... Kerry Washington Who cares if she looks nude from the belt up? That belt buckle will deflect all haters with invisible lasers. Photo: Frederick M. Brown/2012 Getty Images
Willow and Jaden Smith These kids are so famous that those people behind them are leaning over just to take photos of their butts. (Willow's legg... Willow and Jaden Smith These kids are so famous that those people behind them are leaning over just to take photos of their butts. (Willow's leggings -- cutouts?) Photo: Allen Berezovsky/2012 Allen Berezovsky
Samuel L. Jackson and Latanya Richardson More cutouts, albeit demure ones, courtesy of Latanya's shoulders and chest panels. Photo: Allen Berez... Samuel L. Jackson and Latanya Richardson More cutouts, albeit demure ones, courtesy of Latanya's shoulders and chest panels. Photo: Allen Berezovsky/2012 Allen Berezovsky
Porscha Coleman Oh goodness. We're pretty sure we saw someone wearing a hat like that at Hunk-a-Mania last weekend. Photo: Allen Berezovsky/201... Porscha Coleman Oh goodness. We're pretty sure we saw someone wearing a hat like that at Hunk-a-Mania last weekend. Photo: Allen Berezovsky/2012 Allen Berezovsky
Michelle Williams That dress does not look breathable. Photo: Allen Berezovsky/2012 Allen Berezovsky
Common Well, points for the tie? Photo: Gregg DeGuire/2012 Gregg DeGuire
Trey Songz "Woo! Some of you might have to blur out my t-shirt because there's a topless lady on it, but that's cool! I dressed specifically... Trey Songz "Woo! Some of you might have to blur out my t-shirt because there's a topless lady on it, but that's cool! I dressed specifically to make your lives more complicated." Photo: Gregg DeGuire/2012 Gregg DeGuire
Melyssa Ford and Flo Rida More cutouts! Plus one fresh blue jacket. Photo: Gregg DeGuire/2012 Gregg DeGuire
Terri Seymour Sleek and simple. She could've done without the extra-high platforms, but otherwise this look is the night's winner. Photo: Allen... Terri Seymour Sleek and simple. She could've done without the extra-high platforms, but otherwise this look is the night's winner. Photo: Allen Berezovsky/2012 Allen Berezovsky
Sabi A deep-V, knee-padded, drop crotch jumpsuit! Oh my. Points for this girl. Photo: Gregg DeGuire/2012 Gregg DeGuire
Brianna Perry If anyone needs to refresh their lipstick or make sure their foreheads aren't shiny, they can just check themselves out in her dres... Brianna Perry If anyone needs to refresh their lipstick or make sure their foreheads aren't shiny, they can just check themselves out in her dress's reflection. Photo: Gregg DeGuire/2012 Gregg DeGuire
Dawn Richard Those sheer panels count as cutouts. Also, her sleeves have THUMBHOLES. That is a sweaty palms nightmare. Photo: Allen Berezovsky/... Dawn Richard Those sheer panels count as cutouts. Also, her sleeves have THUMBHOLES. That is a sweaty palms nightmare. Photo: Allen Berezovsky/2012 Allen Berezovsky
2 Chainz Yes, that's an unmarked plastic cup he's carrying. Photo: Allen Berezovsky/2012 Allen Berezovsky
Eva Pigford Here's proof that you don't need some elaborate designer dress and fancy gems to look dramatic. Photo: Allen Berezovsky/2012 Allen ... Eva Pigford Here's proof that you don't need some elaborate designer dress and fancy gems to look dramatic. Photo: Allen Berezovsky/2012 Allen Berezovsky
Tatyana Ali We've never met a peplum we didn't like, and this is no exception. Photo: Allen Berezovsky/2012 Allen Berezovsky
Lala Anthony When in doubt, think "WWJLoD." Photo: Allen Berezovsky/2012 Allen Berezovsky
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  • bet awards 2012
  • nicki minaj
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