Red Carpet Rundown: These 2026 Academy Museum Gala Celebrity Looks Take Fashion To Another Level

From Teyana Taylor’s Schiaparelli to Janelle Monáe’s Robert Wun wings, every look was a WERK of art as this swanky annual event.
Some red carpet looks we love. Others make us gag. The 2026 Academy Museum Gala was a night to gag, because every look on that carpet was a moment.
The sixth annual gala took over the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 17. The night raised money for the museum and honored Colman Domingo, Charlize Theron and John Carpenter. And attendees dressed for the swanky occasion.
Met Gala style may have met its match with these celebrity fits. In other words, celebs held nothing back and put it on. Looks we are still thinking about were avant-garde, over the top and sculptural, with 3D details and silhouettes fresh from the runway.
Of course, some of our favorite Black celebrities led the way. So let’s get into it.
The ladies did not come to play. Janelle Monáe spread cobalt butterfly wings in Robert Wun couture. Chase Infinity wore Louis Vuitton in black-and-white origami pleats, while Wunmi Mosaku shimmered in gold fringed Louis Vuitton.
Color came out strong. Issa Rae chose a purple custom Aisté Hong gown, Naomi Ackie went big in violet Balenciaga, and Jennifer Hudson wore fuchsia Pamella Roland. Metallics had their moment too. Yara Shahidi went pewter in Miu Miu, and Kerry Washington sparkled in silver Elie Saab with velvet bows.
Jodie Turner-Smith wore Mugler’s zebra-print skirt suit with a curled horn hat, straight off the runway. Nia Long went sultry in black satin with a feathered shrug.
The men did not play it safe either. Vantage Award honoree Colman Domingo wore custom Valentino with Boucheron jewelry. His black sequin jacket sat open over a silk shirt and satin cummerbund, with flared pants for a little ’70s swagger.
A$AP Rocky went classic in a shawl-lapel tuxedo, adding a crystal flower brooch and a sculptural silver clutch. Celebrity stylist Law Roach went full drama in black velvet, a feathered crowned headpiece and waist-length straight hair.
One of our favorite looks came from Style Queen herself, Teyana Taylor. She walked in looking like a sculptural WERK of art. The rose from Harlem, who also sat on the gala’s host committee, wore Schiaparelli Fall/Winter 2026 Couture. She looked ethereal, artsy and chic, with a touch of fierce.
Her look paired a glossy turquoise breastplate, molded like a sculpted torso, with a sheer skirt. The breastplate cinched her waist and came to a sharp point at the hips. Below it, the skirt was covered in 3D blooms that faded from icy blue to blush and gold at the hem.
Her hair and beauty were equally flawless. Teyana returned to her pixie roots with a short, piecey cut, spiky bangs and flipped ends. Her makeup was ultra glam, with frosted blue eyeshadow pulled from the breastplate and a glossy nude lip. A silver ear cuff added a little shine.
Teyana stays on our best-dressed lists all year. This Schiaparelli moment shows why.
Swipe to see our list of top Black celebrity looks from the 2026 Academy Museum gala.

Teyana wore Schiaparelli Fall/Winter 2026 Couture, pairing a glossy turquoise breastplate with a sheer skirt of 3D blooms. The skirt faded from icy blue to blush at the hem. Her piecey pixie and frosted blue eyeshadow matched the look’s cool tones.

Janelle took her butterfly era higher in cobalt Robert Wun Fall/Winter 2026 Couture. Shimmering wings rose from the bodice, and the sequined mermaid skirt hugged every curve before flaring at the hem. Blue opera gloves, blue nails and a side-swept pixie with a small fascinator completed it.

Chase wore Louis Vuitton, styled by Wayman + Micah, in a strapless black-and-white gown built from crisp folded panels. A black waistband and stiff peplum shaped the stripes before the skirt fanned out to the floor. Her sleek low bun and deep plum lip added a moody edge.
Wunmi Mosaku: Liquid Gold

Wunmi wore Louis Vuitton in a column gown covered in gold fringe dotted with silver discs. The sweetheart neckline hugged her curves, and a high slit gave the fringe room to swing. Her sleek bob, gold shimmer on the lids and silver hoops brought it home.
Issa Rae: Purple Reign

Issa went with color in custom Aisté Hong and Fred Leighton jewelry. The purple gown had a single halter strap, a twisted bust and side cutouts before falling into soft pleats. A high curly updo, violet eyeshadow and gold drop earrings tied the glam to the gown.

Naomi went big in a voluminous violet Balenciaga gown with Boucheron jewelry. The strapless bubble bodice gave way to a sweeping skirt with a long train. Her neat cornrows and soft glam let all that volume lead.

J. Hud wore a fuchsia mikado Pamella Roland gown with a sculptural bow at the shoulder and POCKETS! The crossover bodice cinched her waist, and the skirt swept back into a train. A diamond necklace, diamond earrings and her signature pixie gave it classic Hollywood polish.
Yara Shahidi: Metallic Minimalist

Yara wore Miu Miu in a metallic pewter column with a plunging V-neck and skinny straps. A ruffled peplum at the hip gave the sleek silhouette shape. Her defined curls were pulled back, with soft brown glam and a rosy lip.
Kerry Washington: Silver Screen Glam

Kerry sparkled in a silver embellished Elie Saab halter gown with a peplum bodice. Gray velvet bows at the neck and waist softened all that shine. Stylists Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn added a crystal clutch, and her sleek bob framed her face.

Jodie wore Mugler Spring/Summer 2027 ready-to-wear, styled by Law Roach. Lavender-and-brown zebra print covered everything, from the peplum jacket and pencil skirt to the gloves and curled horn hat. She finished it with white pointed pumps.

Nia wore black satin with a plunging cowl neckline under a dramatic feathered shrug. Colorful statement earrings and a beaded cuff added texture. Her sleek middle-part bun and bronzed glam by @beautybychrisc proved Nia been fine all her life.

Vantage Award honoree Colman wore custom Valentino with Boucheron jewelry. His black sequin jacket sat open over a silk shirt and satin cummerbund, with flared pants giving ’70s swagger. Polished loafers, a watch and statement rings rounded it out.

Rocky went classic in a black shawl-lapel tuxedo and crisp white tuxedo shirt. A crystal flower brooch and a sculptural silver clutch with dangling drops gave it edge. His neat braids and diamond studs tied it together.

Celebrity stylist Law Roach arrived in a black velvet suit with silver embroidery at the shoulder. A feathered headpiece with a beaded crown sat on top of waist-length straight hair. The look was pure drama from head to toe, but we Law we expect nothing less.
Red Carpet Rundown: These 2026 Academy Museum Gala Celebrity Looks Take Fashion To Another Level was originally published on hellobeautiful.com

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