Forward-thinking style fresh from the Spring 2027 runways was mixed with archival and custom pieces among the stars who walked the red carpet at Saturday’s Academy Museum Gala — and if there was a common thread throughout many of the looks, it was a wonderful ease, an effortless blend of relaxed chic that’s not always present on an awards show carpet. After all, at the Academy Museum Gala, the few prizes awarded are predetermined and the pressure is off for everyone else.
That may be among the reasons this sixth-annual fundraiser attracted a formidable crowd that’s all too happy to support the programs and exhibitions presented by the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Robert Rodriguez, Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw served as the 2026 gala co-chairs, while the host committee this year includes Demi Moore, Rami Malek, Greta Lee, Teyana Taylor and Kate Hudson. Fold in the night’s honorees — Charlize Theron, John Carpenter and Colman Domingo — and it’s clear why this heavy-hitter guest list inspires thoughts that the night competes with November’s LACMA Art+Film Gala for the title of “west coast Met Gala.”
An influential guest list gathering to celebrate their industry, but instead their shared love of cinema may ultimately be the reason the evening’s overall style blends the aforementioned relaxed-chic aesthetic with a splash of drama and, in many cases, an undeniable sense of fun. Each is found in the 15 looks that topped our list.
Taylor Swift in Dior
Taylor Swift often remains loyal to the A-line silhouette that works so well for her, and that was true of this Dior strapless gown in dove grey, crafted with panels of beautiful pleating below a gathered bodice and a splash of crystal beading. And why not? Mrs. Kelce is living her best life in her princess era. Swift completed the look with diamonds by Chopard, including earrings set with 32.40 carats of diamonds set in platinum.
Miyako Bellizzi in Chanel
Several guests eschewed floor-length gowns in favor of mid-calf lengths, and among the best was this design from Matthieu Blazy’s Fall 2026 ready-to-wear collection for Chanel, worn by costume designer Miyako Bellizzi (Uncut Gems, Scenes from a Marriage). Blazy’s collection this season references an unstructured 1920s silhouette, while this style’s homage to the house’s boucle tweed, embellished with paillettes, creates a thoroughly modern evening look.
Inde Navarrette in Schiaparelli
From Daniel Roseberry’s Fall 2026 haute-couture collection for Schiaparelli, this gown worn by Obsession star Inde Navarrette beautifully represents the artful whimsy that is synonymous with the French house. The ankle-length strapless gown is crafted in nude tulle accented with cascading polka dots on a tiered bubble skirt; Navarrette finished the look with a diamond necklace and earrings by Chopard.
Anna Kendrick in Georges Chakra
The plunging neckline on this gown from Georges Chakra’s Fall 2026/2027 couture collection thoroughly flattered Anna Kendrick, from its deep V to the sleeveless black guipure lace bodice, the flared hips above the fitted skirt, and the accents of quill paillettes. Amid a sea of black gowns Saturday night, Kendrick stood out beautifully.
Cailee Spaeny in Valentino
Social media kicked into a frenzy when Cailee Spaeny arrived in this Valentino gown, from the Spring 2027 collection that Alessandro Michele sent down the runway on October 4. From the fuchsia silk strapless gown to its pleated train in rose and pale pink, Instagram fans instantly fell in love with the tonal mix (a black bow in back, however, divided style pundits, some deeming it an unnecessary detail).
Colman Domingo in Valentino
Honored with the night’s Vantage Award, presented to an artist who helps to “challenge dominant narratives around cinema,” Colman Domingo was among the night’s most anticipated arrivals, because it was a safe bet he would turn up in a look worthy of both the evening and his personal style. And he didn’t disappoint, wearing a custom beaded jacket by Valentino, paired with a black tuxedo shirt, tuxedo trousers, and the bow tie undone around this neck, a statement of maximum cool. Domingo finished his look with jewels by Boucheron and an Omega timepiece.
Jessica Biel in Tamara Ralph
Everything about this look, from Tamara Ralph’s Fall 2026 couture collection, worked on Jessica Biel, from the feathers that framed her face to the bodice cut that emphasized her shoulders and that terrific high slit. Feathers were among the night’s trends, and the look on Biel was equal parts fun, sleek and glamorous. She completed her look with diamond earrings and rings by Chopard.
Rhea Seehorn in Balenciaga
This decidedly modern take on a tuxedo is from the feverish mind of Pierpaolo Piccioli for his Balenciaga Fall 2026 couture collection — and if anyone could carry it off, it’s Rhea Seehorn, who often adopts a forward-thinking approach in her red-carpet style. Piccioli’s maximalist take was inspired by the volume beloved by Cristobal Balenciaga, and Seehorn carried it off with ease. She finished her look with Englebert 1920 jewelry.
Sabrina Carpenter in Giorgio Armani Privé
Sapphire blue is a trending color for Fall 2026, so it’s fitting that it would be worn by the woman who routinely sets style trends. Sabrina Carpenter’s custom Giorgio Armani Privé blue silk cady gown was inspired by a look from the house’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection, but the stunning element is the surprise of the superstar’s back, an open design with tassels cascading from her shoulders. She completed her look with diamond and sapphire earrings by Chopard.
Rufus Sewell in Dunhill
The star of The Diplomat wore a head-to-toe look by Dunhill, including the house’s Bourdon double-breasted jacket in brown cotton velvet, paired with a formal bib point collar shirt, single-pleat trousers, and the house’s Made in England Chelsea boots. Sewell finished the look with IWC’s Portugieser Automatic 40 timepiece.
Mia Goth in Dior
There was a terrific 1970s vibe about the Dior gown Mia Goth chose for the Academy Museum Gala, from its overall relaxed ease to its bias-cut sleeves and subtle sequined embellishment. The actress accessorized the dress with Dior fine jewelry and a Dior handbag.
Naomi Ackie in Balenciaga
Not unlike Seehorn’s tuxedo take, the volume was plentiful in Naomi Ackie’s custom Balenciaga gown, a look inspired by the Fall 2026 haute-couture collection. Crafted in aubergine taffeta, the gown featured a strapless bubble bodice, a sweeping train — and, as many pointed out on social media, pockets. The actress completed her look with diamond earrings and ring by Boucheron.
Gemma Chan in Prada
At the other end of the volume spectrum, Gemma Chan opted for the sleek minimalism of Prada, a pink silk gabardine dress with a front cutout detail and a draped back knot. Diamond jewels by Cartier, including the house’s Agrafe earrings, completed Chan’s look.
Kate Hudson in Giorgio Armani Privé
The glamorous wave in Kate Hudson’s hair echoed the sculpted, crystal-embroidered ruffle that trailed down the opposite side of her custom Giorgio Armani Privé gown in blush pink. From the color of the gown against her skin to her ’40s-inspired hair and her Harry Winston diamonds, it all worked.
Charles Melton in ERL
Beef‘s Charles Melton lately has adopted a more experimental approach to his style, as seen in this look by Venice Beach-based ERL. Designed by Eli Russell Linnetz, the design includes an ERL Artisanal tailcoat evening jacket with silk-satin peak lapels and a cropped front silhouette, worn over a pleated tuxedo dress shirt, a silk cummerbund and high-waisted, wide-legged trousers. Melton’s suit was finished with handmade ERL pins on the jacket.