The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards brought a major red carpet reset to the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, replacing simple black-tie looks with tactile haute couture, archival vintage revivals, and subversive jewelry. As Hollywood’s biggest television stars gathered for the ceremony, the 2026 Emmy Awards best dressed stars set a bold aesthetic direction defined by jewel tones, metallic gilding, and unexpected accessories. From Zendaya in custom “naked” Prada to Nicole Kidman returning in ethereal Chanel, the red carpet offered a memorable showcase of personal style.
Attribute Details Box
| Attribute Parameter | Field Value |
|---|---|
| Event Name | 78th Primetime Emmy Awards |
| Event Date & Venue | September 14, 2026 | Peacock Theater, Los Angeles, CA |
| Event Host | Mariska Hargitay |
| Key Fashion Trends | “Villain Era” Pearls, Archival 1990s Vintage, Metallic Gilding, Rosebud Beauty |
| Dominant Fashion Houses | Prada, Chanel, Ralph Lauren Collection, Louis Vuitton, Jean Paul Gaultier, The Row |
| Major Jewelry Houses | Mikimoto, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Boucheron |
Red Carpet Reset: Tactile Couture and Subversive Glamour in Los Angeles
The 2026 Emmy Awards red carpet moved away from the quiet luxury of recent seasons. Instead of basic silhouettes, stars and their stylists chose intricate textures, shimmering metallic weave, and complex drapery. This shift distinguished the 2026 Emmy Awards best dressed stars from past red carpets, creating an expressive showcase where historical references met individual style choices.
Reporting by Harper’s BAZAAR highlighted how the evening’s most striking looks balanced structure with softness. Heavy, structured gowns were paired with soft, touchable hair and subtle “rosebud” makeup, keeping the focus on dress construction and statement high jewelry.
The 10 Best-Dressed Stars at the 2026 Emmy Awards
1. Zendaya in Custom Sheer Prada and Mikimoto Pearls
Zendaya made an instant impression the moment she stepped onto the red carpet in a custom sheer gown by Prada. Styled by Law Roach, the Zendaya custom Prada design featured delicate, fully embellished sheer netting that caught the venue lighting, setting the bar for the 2026 Emmy Awards best dressed stars. She paired the look with a fresh, close-cropped pixie haircut and asymmetrical South Sea pearl earrings from Mikimoto.
2. Nicole Kidman in White Bustier Chanel Couture
Returning to the Emmy Awards red carpet after nine years as executive producer for Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Nicole Kidman stood out among the 2026 Emmy Awards best dressed stars. The Nicole Kidman Chanel gown featured a fitted white bustier bodice with an ethereal, flowing column skirt. She finished the look with sleek, center-parted hair and a classic Omega timepiece.
3. Selena Gomez in Metallic-Gilded Louis Vuitton
Nominated for her lead role in Only Murders in the Building, Selena Gomez joined the 2026 Emmy Awards best dressed stars in a custom bronze-gold column dress by Louis Vuitton. The gown’s metallic finish captured the light with every step, featuring clean architectural lines. Gomez paired the shimmering dress with soft, cascading waves and diamond jewelry from Tiffany & Co.
4. Elle Fanning in Lilac Silk-Chiffon Ralph Lauren Collection
First-time Emmy nominee Elle Fanning brought soft romance to the Peacock Theater in a custom lilac silk-chiffon gown from Ralph Lauren Collection. Highlighting the 2026 Emmy Awards best dressed stars, the design featured a draped bodice and an airy train that moved easily along the carpet. Fanning accessorized with delicate Cartier high jewelry.
5. Sarah Pidgeon in ’90s Chanel Slip and Neckline Pearl Ropes
Love Story breakout star Sarah Pidgeon earned her place among the 2026 Emmy Awards best dressed stars by drawing inspiration from ’90s icon Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in a custom lavender cowl-neck slip gown by Chanel. The minimalist silhouette gained depth from strands of white and lilac pearls draped along the open back and neckline.
6. Ayo Edebiri in Beribboned Chanel and Stacked Pearl Cuffs
The Bear star Ayo Edebiri brought her distinct eye for fashion to an ivory and black Chanel gown, cementing her place among the 2026 Emmy Awards best dressed stars. Detailed with delicate ribbon accents along the bodice, the look was completed by stacked Mikimoto cultured pearl ear cuffs and matching rings.
7. Carey Mulligan in Patterned Royal Blue The Row
Nominated for her performance in season two of Beef, Carey Mulligan took a different route by choosing an artistic, patterned strapless column dress in royal blue and white from The Row. The clean graphic aesthetic provided a fresh alternative to traditional evening wear.
8. Odessa A’zion in Archival 1996 Jean Paul Gaultier Velvet Fringe
Bringing rare vintage style to the carpet, Odessa A’zion wore an archival black velvet two-piece ensemble straight from Jean Paul Gaultier’s Fall/Winter 1996 runway show. Featuring long fringe that moved as she walked, the archival piece brought ’90s fashion history to life.
9. Colman Domingo in Custom White Silk Valentino
Always a highlight of red carpet menswear, Colman Domingo stood out among the 2026 Emmy Awards best dressed stars in a custom white silk mandarin-collar jacket by Valentino. Featuring traditional frog-button closures, the tailored look was finished with lapel brooches from Boucheron.
10. Shailene Woodley in Sculptural Emerald Balenciaga
Shailene Woodley rounded out the top red carpet moments in a sculptural emerald green column dress by Balenciaga. The gown’s deep jewel tone and structured neckline created one of the clearest color statements of the night.
The Subversive Accessory Trend: Pearls Enter Their “Villain Era”
While custom gowns led the headlines, the evening’s most discussed accessory trend was the reimagining of pearl jewelry, shared by the 2026 Emmy Awards best dressed stars. As detailed in a trend report by Bustle, classic pearls were restyled with a modern edge, showing how a 16th century pearl trend has been reshaped for contemporary red carpets.
Rather than traditional single strands, stylists opted for asymmetrical ear cuffs, mismatched drops, and pearl ropes draped along gown necklines. From Zendaya’s mismatched Mikimoto earrings to Sarah Pidgeon’s draped Chanel pearls, the red carpet proved that traditional gems can feel entirely new when styled with a fresh perspective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were featured among the 2026 Emmy Awards best dressed stars?
Top best-dressed stars at the 2026 Emmy Awards included Zendaya in custom Prada, Nicole Kidman in Chanel, Selena Gomez in Louis Vuitton, Elle Fanning in Ralph Lauren, and Sarah Pidgeon in vintage-inspired Chanel.
What dress did Zendaya wear at the 2026 Emmy Awards?
Zendaya wore a custom embellished sheer “naked” gown designed by Prada, paired with a new close-cropped pixie haircut and asymmetrical Mikimoto pearl earrings.
What was the biggest jewelry trend on the 2026 Emmys red carpet?
The defining jewelry trend was the revival of pearls styled with an edge—featuring asymmetrical ear cuffs, mismatched drops, and pearl ropes draped along gown necklines.
Which designer did Nicole Kidman wear for her Emmys red carpet return?
Returning to the Emmys red carpet for the first time in nine years, Nicole Kidman wore a custom white bustier gown by Chanel paired with an Omega watch.
References
- “The 14 Best-Dressed Celebrities at the 2026 Emmys”. ELLE India. 15 September 2026. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
- “Best-dressed stars at the 2026 Emmys red carpet”. The Indian Express. 15 September 2026. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
- “Your Grandmother’s Pearls Just Entered Their Villain Era”. Bustle. 15 September 2026. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
- “The 11 Best-Dressed Stars From the 2026 Emmys”. W Magazine. 15 September 2026. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
- “BAZAAR’s Best Dressed Celebrities At The 2026 Emmy Awards”. Harper’s BAZAAR Australia. 15 September 2026. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
- “The Chicest Beauty Looks at the 2026 Emmys: Subtle Glamour Reigned Supreme”. Grazia USA. 15 September 2026. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
- “The wildest looks from the 2026 Emmys red carpet”. Cosmopolitan India. 15 September 2026. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
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