Academy Museum Gala 2026 Best Dressed Celebrities: The Most Stunning Red Carpet Looks

Often called the “Met Gala of the West,” the event celebrates cinema while supporting the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, bringing together entertainment’s biggest names and fashion’s most influential designers.

This year, stars including Taylor Swift, Hailey Bieber, Naomi Ackie, Maya Hawke, Mia Goth, and Sabrina Carpenter, Elle Fanning and Tracee Ellis Ross made an impression with their distinctive red-carpet looks. Some embraced timeless elegance, while others experimented with bold colors, intricate embellishments, and striking silhouettes, reflecting the variety of styles seen across major events, including the red-carpet trends at the Venice Film Festival 2026.

So, who were the best-dressed celebrities at the Academy Museum Gala 2026? Here are the red-carpet looks that deserve a closer look.

Taylor Swift in Dior: A Picture of Modern Elegance 

Taylor Swift stood out in one of the evening’s most elegant looks in a pale-blue Dior custom creation. The icy-blue color and delicate pleating have the gown an ethereal quality, as opposed to the more dramatic Hollywood styles that usually dominate such events.

A crystal-embellished bow at the front served as the gown’s focal point, adding sparkle against the softly pleated fabric. The combination of fine folds, subtle embellishment, and a flowing skirt preserved the design’s romantic feel without making it appear overly ornate.

She later changed into a sheer, glittering navy blue strapless custom gown by Ralph Lauren while she performed during the evening, adding another memorable dimension to her appearance at the event.

Her Dior ensemble stood out because it demonstrated how understated styling can still command attention on a red carpet filled with elaborate designer creations.

Fashionwalt’s verdict: A sophisticated example of modern red-carpet dressing that balances softness, elegance, and star power.

Hailey Bieber in Chanel: Pink Takes Center Stage

Hailey Bieber has brought a pop of color to the Academy Museum Gala in a custom pink Chanel creation designed by Matthieu Blazy. While many attendees opted for black, neutral, or jewel-toned looks, Bieber stood out in a soft, cotton-candy-pink look.

The dress featured an open back, a central slit, and floral embellishments along the halter neckline. Pearls and colorful stones formed the intricate floral motifs, adding delicate detail to the design. Bieber completed the look with soft pink makeup, while her black manicure provided an unexpected contrast to the otherwise romantic palette. The diligence also recalls the craftsmanship behind Margot Robbie’s 761-hour Chanel gown at the Met Gala.

The floral embellishments softened the gown’s streamlined silhouette, while Bieber’s glossy black manicure introduced a sharper contrast to the pastel palette..

Fashionwalt’s verdict: A standout looks for its color, intricate craftsmanship, and balance between romance and modern glamour.

Naomi Ackie in Balenciaga: Dramatic Fashion with Impact 

The actress embraced dramatic eveningwear in a custom Balenciaga gown, making a statement through its bold color and sculptural shape. The strapless neckline created a clean upper line, allowing the gown’s dramatic proportions to take center stage.

The rich purple hue gave the gown a striking presence, while its voluminous, tiered skirt added depth, movement, and architectural dimension. The contrast between the bare neckline and the expansive silhouette balanced the design, making the gown visually bold without relying on additional embellishment.

By keeping the focus on the custom gown’s neckline, vivid color, and layered volume, the actor delivered a memorable red-carpet look rooted in Balenciaga’s sculptural approach to design.

Fashionwalt’s verdict: A confident, fashion-forward choice for anyone who appreciates bold color and sculptural eveningwear. 

Maya Hawke in Prada: Understated Luxury Meets Sparkle

Maya Hawke chose a crystal-embellished Prada column dress that paired a long, streamlined silhouette with intricate sparkle. The vertical cut created a clean line, allowing the crystal detailing to stand out without competing with dramatic volume or elaborate shaping.

The crystals added dimension to the dress, catching the light across its surface and bringing texture to the otherwise restrained design. Their placement provided visual interest while the column silhouette kept the overall look sleek and elongated.

The result was a different kind of glamour than what one may see with the more dramatic dresses on the red carpet. It was not about exaggerated volume, but rather precision, and sparkle.

It was also a lesson that modern evening wear does not have to do much to be luxurious. A well-structured silhouette and the proper embellishments can go a long way.

Fashionwalt’s verdict: An elegant choice for fans of refined designer fashion with a touch of glamour.

Mia Goth in Dior: The Power of a Classic Black Dress

Mia Goth wore a sleek black sequin Dior dress, offering a streamlined interpretation of red-carpet glamour. The gown balanced a simple silhouette with the visual impact of its embellished surface.

Black remains a red-carpet staple, but the sequins added texture and depth to the otherwise streamlined design. Their reflective surface caught the light, creating subtle variations in shine that made the dress more visually interesting without relying on bold colors or elaborate details.

Her look also fitted the timeless appeal of Hollywood evening fashion. Black dresses have remained a red-carpet staple for decades, evolving through changes in silhouette, fabric, and styling while retaining their versatility.

Goth’s Dior appearance showed how a restrained color palette can create impact when the fabric and overall silhouette do the work.

Fashionwalt’s verdict: A sleek and sophisticated interpretation of classic Hollywood glamour.

Sabrina Carpenter in Giorgio Armani Privé: Old-Hollywood Inspiration with a Modern Twist 

Sabrina Carpenter wore a custom-made cobalt-blue Giorgio Armani Privé dress and Chopard jewelry to the Academy Museum Gala 2026. The dress has side cut-outs, an open back, and crystal-beaded tassels that add volume and movement.

Inspired by the designer’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection, this gown included a dramatic shape with intricate embellishments. The singer wore blue gemstone drop earrings and a diamond bracelet, completing the look.

Fashionwalt’s verdict: A bold combination of vibrant color, elegant detailing, and modern red-carpet glamour.

Elle Fanning in Valentino: Whimsical Red-Carpet Glamour 

Elle Fanning wore a custom Valentino gown featuring a butterfly-inspired bodice, a multicolored skirt, and a coordinating cape. The sculptural bodice and colorful design gave the ensemble an artistic, playful character.

Rather than relying on a traditional evening-gown silhouette, the look combined imaginative details with couture-inspired styling, making it stand out on the red carpet.

Fashionwalt’s verdict: A distinctive Valentino creation that balanced whimsical design with elegant eveningwear.

Other Stars Who Brought Their Style to the Academy Museum Gala 2026

Beyond the headline-making appearances, several other celebrities brought their own interpretations of formal fashion to the Academy Museum Gala.

Tracee Ellis Ross: Tangerine Drama and Statement Details

Tracee Ellis Ross stood out in a vibrant tangerine-colored look featuring fringe and bead embellishments. The textured details added movement and dimension, while the bold shape made the outfit particularly eye-catching. She completed the look with transparent heels before switching to white glove-style ballet flats later in the evening.

Her ensemble showed how color, texture, and playful accessories can turn a red-carpet appearance into a distinctive fashion statement.

Kim Kardashian: Old Hollywood Glamour in Vintage Balenciaga

Kim Kardashian embraced Old Hollywood glamour at the 2026 Academy Museum Gala in a vintage 1951 Balenciaga gown sourced from Lily et Cie. The strapless design featured delicate lace detailing and a pale-pink satin sash that extended into an oversized bow at the back.

Styled by Law Roach, Kardashian completed the look with a voluminous bouffant hairstyle and statement diamond jewelry, including a Leviev choker and Zydo earrings. The combination of archival couture, romantic detailing, and bold accessories gave her ensemble a distinctly vintage-inspired elegance.

Emma Chamberlain: Classic Hollywood Glamour in Red

Emma Chamberlain embraced timeless Hollywood elegance in a custom red evening gown. The rich color and streamlined silhouette created a striking appearance, while her brunette hairstyle and softly dramatic makeup added a vintage-inspired mood.

Her beauty drew attention from classic screen icons, including Audrey Hepburn and Winona Ryder, giving the overall styling a cinematic quality without feeling overly traditional.

Colman Domingo: Modern Menswear with a Retro Edge

Colman Domingo brought personality to formal menswear in a black sequin jacket worn open over a silk shirt and satin cummerbund. Flared trousers added a subtle 1970s influence, balancing classic eveningwear with a more expressive silhouette.

The mix of bright textures, the relaxed feel of the clothes, and the balanced shapes made him look something special compared to a normal black suit.

His look showed how diverse the styles worn by the men at the gala could be, from bright colors and mix of textures to vintage glamour and masculine clothes.

The Biggest Fashion Trends at the Academy Museum Gala 2026

This year’s red carpet offered several useful insights into the direction of celebrity evening wear.

Soft Pinks and Pale Blues

Taylor Swift’s pale-blue Dior gown and Hailey Bieber’s pink Chanel creation showed how softer colors can stand out in a formal setting. Rather than relying on bright neon shades, these looks demonstrated the visual appeal of delicate color palettes paired with luxurious fabrics.

Sculptural Silhouettes 

The dramatic volume of the Balenciaga dress worn by Naomi Ackie pointed to the continuing appeal of exaggerated designs. Exaggerated silhouettes can make even the simplest of dresses into a stunning statement piece, as the shape of the dress is one of the most essential elements of its red-carpet styling.

Embellishment With Purpose 

From Maya Hawke’s crystal detailing and Mia Goth’s sequined Dior dress, embellishment played a key role in adding texture and dimension. The best examples of this were when the decoration helped the design to be more attractive, not take away from it.

A Return to Classic Hollywood Glamour 

Several looks drew on the enduring appeal of elegant eveningwear. Streamlined gowns, romantic styling, and sophisticated tailoring demonstrated that traditional glamour continues to influence celebrity fashion, even as designers experiment with new shapes and materials. These looks were part of a wider year of memorable style, explored in Fashionwalt’s roundup of the biggest fashion moments of 2026.

Final Verdict: The Best-Dressed Celebrities at the Academy Museum Gala 2026

The 2026 Academy Museum Gala delivered a memorable red carpet, with standout looks defined by intricate embellishments, bold colors, and sculptural silhouettes. From delicate detailing to dramatic gowns, the evening highlighted a diverse range of styles, with each ensemble reflecting a distinct approach to red-carpet dressing.