Sunday night’s 27th annual Newport Beach Film Festival presents Festival Honors and Variety’s 10 Actors to Watch held at Balboa Bay Resort saw a slew of celebrity style moments. Spring 2027 runway designs found their way to the arrival carpet, and stars like Taraji P. Henson and Mckenna Grace brought the drama with their designer looks.
Breakout stars like Esmé Creed-Miles and Inde Navarrette proved there was no doubting their staying power as burgeoning young talent with their respective looks. WWD breaks down those looks, among others, ahead.
Taraji P. Henson
Henson updated black-and-white dressing with a regal design courtesy of Nicolas Jebran. The strapless gown was crafted with a folded black bodice with white fabric and gold accented buttons running in a double-breasted style down the front of the dress.
A drop waist transitioned from firm fabric to a semi-sheer flouncy material with a black base and white polka dot pattern. Makeup for the actress was provided by artist Saisha Beecham, with hairstyling by Tym Wallace. Stylist Kollin Carter curated the Oscar-nominated actress’ look.
Inde Navarrette
After her Schiaparelli couture moment at Saturday’s Academy Museum Gala, Navarrette wore a design from Erdem’s spring 2027 collection. The structured gown featured a high neckline with a fitted bodice and folded fabric at the hips.
The skirt created a dynamic moment with a bevy of fringed material that continued the color palette of the dress. A lilac base created the ideal canvas for contrasting red blossoms throughout the spring selection. The “Obsession” breakout star was styled by Enrique Melendez.
Esmé Creed-Miles
Creed-Miles also turned to the spring runway with her Miu Miu spring 2027 ready-to-wear look. The “Sense and Sensibility” breakout star layered up with a blazer, sweater vest and button-down combo and a pair of baggy blue jeans with a lace-up element at the hip and layered motif with contrasting tones.
Mckenna Grace
Grace wore a strapless gown with a bevy of butterflies by Nicole + Felicia Couture on Sunday night. The midi dress was designed with a fitted bodice and cinched waist, at which the skirt of the dress flared out for added drama. Gray butterflies in various sizes cascaded down the fabric of the dress. The actress was styled by Molly Dickson.