The 2026 Academy Museum Gala brought Hollywood’s biggest names to Los Angeles on Saturday night, with celebrities turning the red carpet into a showcase of archival couture, sculptural gowns, and modern interpretations of classic eveningwear. Across the evening, the standout looks shared a common thread: a willingness to revisit the glamour of Hollywood’s past without making it feel dated.
Now in its sixth year, the 2026 Academy Museum Gala has become a significant date on the entertainment and fashion calendars, bringing together influential figures from film, music, and fashion to support the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. This year’s event celebrated Charlize Theron, John Carpenter, and Colman Domingo, while also raising funds for the museum’s exhibitions, screenings, and educational programs. But before the evening’s honors and performances took center stage, the red carpet delivered its own headline, with the best-dressed celebrities offering a range of designer looks that balanced timeless elegance with contemporary style.
Naomi Ackie Leads the Red Carpet in Balenciaga
Naomi Ackie was among the evening’s early standouts, arriving in a strapless purple Balenciaga gown with a dramatic, tiered silhouette. The voluminous construction gave the dress a commanding presence, while its saturated color made it one of the more memorable looks of the night.
Rather than relying on excessive embellishment, the gown made its statement through shape, texture, and proportion. Ackie’s appearance captured the direction of this year’s red carpet, where classic formalwear gained new energy through bold silhouettes and confident styling.
Kim Kardashian Brings Archival Balenciaga to the Gala
Kim Kardashian turned to fashion history for her appearance, wearing a strapless pastel silk gown from Balenciaga’s 1951 archives. The design featured decorative embroidery, intricate embellishments, and a wrapped sash trailing from the bust. She completed the look with a Leviev diamond collar necklace and a retro bouffant hairstyle.
The archival choice placed couture craftsmanship at the center of her appearance, connecting an earlier era of fashion with the contemporary celebrity red carpet. At an event celebrating the preservation of cinema, Kardashian’s vintage-inspired ensemble also felt particularly fitting.
Kendall Jenner Gives Polka Dots a Valentino Makeover
Kendall Jenner brought a playful element to the evening in custom Valentino, built around three different interpretations of polka dots. Traditional dots covered the bodice, oversized sequined versions decorated the skirt, and smaller dots appeared on her kitten-heel pumps.
The monochromatic palette helped tie the details together, keeping the look cohesive despite its contrasting patterns and textures. Jenner’s appearance demonstrated how a familiar motif can become a striking eveningwear statement when approached with a clear design vision.
Hunter Schafer Looks to Classic Cinema in Prada
Hunter Schafer brought a cinematic reference to the red carpet in a floor-length black Prada gown with a strapless sweetheart neckline. The skirt featured a high slit trimmed with ribbon, revealing contrasting white material underneath.
The combination recalled the glamour of classic Italian cinema while retaining a contemporary edge through its construction and contrasting details. Rather than reproducing a vintage look outright, Schafer’s ensemble reworked familiar Hollywood codes into something more directional.
Greta Lee and Alexa Demie Make Their Designer Statements
Greta Lee wore a 1920s-inspired beaded sheath from Jonathan Anderson’s Dior, drawing on vintage glamour through intricate detailing and a silhouette that felt distinct from the evening’s fuller gowns. The look reflected the continued appeal of historical references in contemporary luxury fashion.
Alexa Demie, meanwhile, appeared in a custom Chanel look by Matthieu Blazy. Her ensemble added to a night in which established fashion houses offered fresh interpretations of their signatures, reinforcing the relationship between designer craftsmanship and individual red carpet style.
Charlize Theron, Teyana Taylor, and Other Stars Join the Best-Dressed Lineup
The gala welcomed a broad cross-section of entertainment figures, including Charlize Theron, Teyana Taylor, Jessica Biel, Kendall Jenner, and other familiar faces. Theron received the Icon Award, filmmaker and composer John Carpenter was presented with the Luminary Award, and Colman Domingo received the Vantage Award.
The evening was co-chaired by Tom Ford, Robert Rodriguez, Steven Spielberg, and Kate Capshaw. Taylor Swift also delivered a special performance, adding a musical highlight to an event that raised more than $14 million for the Academy Museum’s programming.
A Red Carpet Defined by Modern Hollywood Glamour
The best-dressed celebrities at the 2026 Academy Museum Gala demonstrated that classic Hollywood glamour does not have to mean predictable eveningwear. Archival couture, intricate beading, sequins, and dramatic silhouettes offered different ways to revisit familiar fashion references, while contemporary design details kept the looks relevant.
As the Academy Museum Gala continues to establish its place among Los Angeles’ major cultural events, its red carpet is becoming an increasingly compelling meeting point for cinema and fashion. This year, the most memorable appearances were those that embraced the traditions of formal dressing while leaving enough room for personal expression.
Here are our picks for the best-dressed celebrities at the 2026 Academy Museum Gala…
Ladies
Naomi Ackie
Kim Kardashian
Kendall Jenner
Jesicca Biel
Kate Hudson
Wunmi Mosaku
Adria Ajorna
Tracee Ellis Ross
Janelle Monàe
Jodie Turner Smith
Sofía Vergara
Priyanka Chopra
Alexa Demie
Emma Chamberlain
Sophie Thatcher
Amanda Seyfried
Eiza Gonzalez
Chase Infiniti
Charlize Theron
Greta Lee
Ana de Armas
Hailey Bieber
Sabrina Carpenter
Teyana Taylor
Hunter Schafer
Elle Fanning
Taylor Swift
Karlie Kloss
Summer H. Howell
Inde Navarrette
Cailee Spaeny
Demi Moore
Gents
Colman Domingo
Jacob Elordi
Andrew Garfield
Featured image: Kuba Dabrowski for Schiaparelli | Pierresnaps for Kim Kardashian | Dalvin Adams for Janelle Monàe
A fashion and pop culture writer who watches a lot of TV in his spare time. At Style Rave, we aim to inspire our readers by providing engaging content to not just entertain but to inform and empower you as you ASPIRE to become more stylish, live smarter and be healthier.
