More than just a singer, actress, entrepreneur, and TV personality, Keshia Chanté is also a Canadian fashion icon. Yes, the Juno Award-winning multi-hyphenate has been a prominent figure in Canadian media for the past two decades, and has served countless iconic looks along the way. Whether she’s walking the red carpet, busting a move in a music video, or appearing as a host on the small screen and interviewing the biggest celebrities in entertainment, Chanté’s looks never disappoint.
Of course, considering the care Chanté puts into her outfits and overall look, it’s no surprise that, recently, she launched her own hair-care line called Khair. Khair’s mission to deliver clean, sustainable, vegan, and luxurious products for hair and scalp maintenance fits seamlessly with Chanté’s fashion goal: to be confident in what you’re wearing and how you look.
Let’s dive into Keshia Chanté’s 10 best fashion looks throughout the years.
2023 Golden Globes Red Carpet
Sporting a black and beige lace gown from designer, Yousef Al Jasmi, Chanté—as she put it in her Instagram post—was “radiating goddess energy.” She attended the event in Los Angeles, California as one of ET Canada’s hosts that night, rocking the red carpet in true Hollywood style. Chanté sealed the look with a wavy, side-part hairstyle that fittingly harkened to the golden age of cinema.
ET Canada Presents: Forward – Celebrating the Future of Black Entertainment
In February 2022, Chanté co-hosted the half-hour special, ET Canada Presents: Forward – Celebrating the Future of Black Entertainment, and she did it in full glam. Although the camera maintained a medium close-up, Chanté looked regal in a red-orange corset maxi dress from British luxury designer, House of CB. She paired the dress with matching arm-length gloves and a simple diamond bracelet and necklace.
2018 Juno Gala Dinner
No stranger to the Junos, Chanté attended the 2018 awards gala dinner in Vancouver, wearing a structured A-line skirt dress in beige with black lace, similarly to her 2023 Golden Globes look, from Michael D. Combined with her signature side-part hairstyle, impossibly high Christian Louboutin heels, and jewelry from Maison Birks, Chanté was a vision.
A Very 106 Christmas Special 2013
Crossing the border in December 2013, Chanté was the host of BET 106 and Park’s A Very 106 Christmas Special. In tune with the holiday spirit, she wore a Santa-inspired dress from Korean designer Son Jung Wan, opting for a deep wine colour instead of the traditional bright red associated with Christmas. She finished the look with a pair of Privileged Surrender boots in the same red wine colour, with gold metal “laces” and heels for a sparkly touch.
Today’s Bride Magazine Cover 2017
Chanté’s opportunity to grace the cover of Today’s Bride magazine in 2017 was a bittersweet moment for the singer as she and her then-fiancé, Ray Emery, former NHL goalie, had broken their engagement prior to the issue’s release. However, in a white floral lace mermaid-style dress, Chanté was nonetheless the picture of bridal beauty.
Book Smarts & Street Smarts
In Spring 2023, Chanté posted a series of photos to her Instagram, showcasing her ability to pull off a high-low look. She wore a bubblegum pink ruched midi skirt and a matching oversized blazer with a beige crop top underneath. Combined with pink shades, a white handbag, gold hoops, and pink strappy heels, her caption, “books smarts & street smarts, a deadly combo,” was nothing short of perfect.
2011 Dare to Wear Love Fashion Show
Chanté proudly supports her fellow Canadian artists, particularly in the fashion industry. In fact, in 2011, she walked the runway at the Dare to Wear Love fashion show, wearing a dramatic dress from designer Adrienne Wu. Mixing a maroon houndstooth print and a traditional African textile—the prompt for the show that year—Chanté looked bold and dynamic during the gala.
2016 BET Awards
While previous awards show looks featured on this list aimed for glam, Chanté’s outfit for the 2016 BET Awards offered something edgier. Her hair slightly slicked back, she sported a figure-hugging, strapless, knee-length leather dress with a thigh-high slit. Of course, what really drew attention was her high-heeled, knee-high leather gladiator boots—a perfectly cool ensemble for a night celebrating Black artists.
2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards
Continuing with the leather trend, Chanté sported a catsuit-like all-black leather ensemble, finished with gold zippers, a pair of gold strappy heels, and fingerless gold-studded gloves. She opted for a high ponytail for the night, exuding strength, and confidence as she presented the award for Rookie of the Year that night.
Keshia Chanté on Debut Album Cover
Although a dark denim jacket and a graphic tee might seem simple compared to the designer looks on this list, what set this outfit apart was its significance. It served as the look for the cover of her debut album, effectively introducing to the world a budding new talent. The rest, from there, is history.
Jericho Tadeo | Contributing Writer
