The red carpet at the 2022 BET Awards was packed with many fan-favorite celebrities representing Black culture while making the best-dressed list. However, Sistas star Novi Brown’s outfit captured attention with her African-inspired ensemble adorned with cowrie shells.

Brown took to Instagram on Monday and shared photos of her stunning gown, honoring the spirituality of her ancestors. She completed the look with a matching cowrie necklace and earrings. 

“I love seeing my visions manifested into reality. I love meeting incredibly gifted souls from all over the world. I love being a melaninated woman and being unapologetic about it. I love walking in my ancestral power. A massive thank you to my

@bet family for inviting me to present. 🙏🏾” she wrote in the caption.

She added, “A profound and spiritual. Thank you to @lafalaisedionn, THE QUEEN OF COWRIE, for trusting me with your incredible legacy, creative work & art. You are a master creator. Your work inspires me. It moves me. It speaks to my soul. I am so grateful that we have found each other in this world. Here’s to creating many more magical moments. 🥂”

Brown told correspondents at the BET Awards that her LaFalaise Dionn dress was inspired by Beyoncé and her film Black Is King, with her braids as a nod to enslaved people and their quest for freedom. 

Celebrity wardrobe stylist Pilar Scratch explained how the cowrie shells are a significant part of Black culture to ESSENCE, with African history tied to the pieces. 

“Cowrie shells are found in the Indian Ocean and distributed throughout various parts of Africa,” she explains. “It was a form of currency in West Africa during the transatlantic slave trade, which can be dated back to the 14th century. It was a symbol of wealth and power.” 

“I absolutely love her dress! It embodies the empress’s energy and femininity. It’s absolutely my favorite dress of the night,” she continued.

Since the early 1990s, cowrie shells have been used as a fashion staple for those representing their African roots. In addition, Scratch believes the items are slowly making a comeback within the Black community. 

“Thanks to the digital era, knowledge of self, spirituality, and healing have become so beneficial in our Black and Afro-Latina community,” Scratch added. “You can expect to see us wearing cowrie shells in our hair, especially our braids (think faux locs, mermaid braids, etc.) and fun headbands. You can also expect to see very artistic jewelry during EFOC that incorporates the ancient cowrie shells into modern pieces that are going to be fabulous! I foresee this as a vast trend.”

We loved her red carpet look at this year’s BET Awards!