From Sabrina Carpenter to Inde Navarrette: 6 Best Dressed Celebs at Academy Museum Gala

Hollywood rolled out the gray carpet, but the fashion was anything but subdued. The sixth annual Academy Museum Gala, held in Los Angeles on October 17, 2026, delivered a sartorial spectacle featuring Sabrina Carpenter’s cobalt-blue couture, Inde Navarrette’s sculptural Schiaparelli, and Taylor Swift’s fairytale-inspired Dior.

The event celebrated cinema while raising more than $14 million for the Academy Museum’s exhibitions, educational initiatives, and public programming, according to Vanity Fair. Charlize Theron received the Icon Award, John Carpenter the Luminary Award, and Colman Domingo the Vantage Award. Yet the red carpet had its own leading performers. From archival silhouettes to audacious architectural designs, the evening proved that Hollywood glamour needn’t be trapped in a time capsule.

These six looks are ranked by originality, tailoring, styling cohesion, craftsmanship, and visual impact. 

6 Kendall Jenner Makes Polka Dots Posh

Kendall Jenner in a custom ✨️Valentino✨️ dress at Academy Gala.🪡 PS: WHY IS THIS SUCH A SERVE https://t.co/nIhXf12M5N

— La Mode Unknown (@LaModeUnknown) October 18, 2026

Kendall Jenner gave a playful pattern the haute-couture treatment in a custom black-and-white Valentino gown by Alessandro Michele. The strapless creation combined silk georgette, satin, embroidered dots of varying sizes, and a thigh-high slit, while delicate bows softened its dramatic proportions. Styled by Danielle Goldberg, Jenner completed the ensemble with matching polka-dot pumps and Cartier jewelry featuring diamonds, emeralds, and onyx. Speaking to Vogue, Jenner confessed:

I’ve always wanted a red carpet polka-dot moment.

Her enthusiasm translated into a remarkably cohesive look. The contrasting dot sizes prevented the monochromatic palette from appearing monotonous, while the fitted bodice kept the voluminous skirt in check. However, the silhouette played it relatively safe. Jenner deserves sixth place for turning a potentially kitschy print into polished glamour, even if her fashion gamble lacked the architectural audacity of the higher-ranked ensembles.

5 Colman Domingo Makes Velvet Roar

Colman Domingo has many fans at the Academy Museum Gala and its obvious why. https://t.co/lCSETR8HOg

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) October 18, 2026

Colman Domingo proved that menswear can command attention without resorting to outlandish theatrics. The Vantage Award recipient arrived in a shimmering Valentino ensemble, pairing an embellished jacket with an open neckline and sharply tailored trousers. His sculpted side-part hairstyle lent the look a touch of vintage Hollywood swagger. As Essence’s gala coverage observed, Domingo’s unbuttoned shirt and sequined tailoring made him one of the evening’s most conspicuous menswear standouts.

His relaxed styling counterbalances the jacket’s extravagance, while its disciplined proportions prevent the embellishments from overwhelming his frame. Domingo also understands that fashion is a performance. His confident presentation transforms an ornate suit into an extension of his personality rather than an expensive costume. He takes fifth place because the outfit balances flamboyance with refinement, although its familiar tailoring doesn’t quite challenge red-carpet conventions.

4 Taylor Swift Channels Cinderella Chic

Taylor Swift x Academy Museum Gala. Portrait by Gina Gizella Manning Set Design by PLATNA STUDIO https://t.co/VxnVH9fqI1

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) October 18, 2026

Taylor Swift embraced unabashed romanticism in a custom icy-blue Dior gown by Jonathan Anderson, featuring a sculpted strapless bodice, delicate pleating, and an ethereal floor-length skirt. She complemented the creation with Chopard diamonds, soft curls, and understated makeup. The styling evoked Cinderella without slipping into costume-party territory. Swift’s appearance was particularly significant because she also performed at the event. Swift performed I Knew It, I Knew You from Toy Story 5, alongside hits including Blank Space and Love Story. She also delivered the first live performance of The Fate of Ophelia.

The Dior creation succeeds through restraint. Its romantic silhouette and pale color command attention without excessive embellishment, allowing the tailoring to do the heavy lifting. Still, its fairytale aesthetic is familiar territory. Swift earns fourth place for impeccable execution rather than groundbreaking experimentation.

3 Teyana Taylor Turns Couture Liquid

Teyana Taylor wearing Schiaparelli FW26 Couture at the Academy Museum Gala in LA https://t.co/Z5JMonjXZY

— hionfashion (@hionfashion) October 18, 2026

Teyana Taylor delivered a masterclass in wearable sculpture with a turquoise Schiaparelli creation from Daniel Roseberry’s Fall/Winter 2026–27 haute couture collection. The ensemble featured a molded silicone bustier resembling liquid metal, paired with a semi-sheer column skirt decorated with miniature tulle flowers. Rhinestone embellishments and a gradient hem added extraordinary visual depth. According to InStyle, the fashion house christened the distinctive shade “Teyana Blue.”

The design’s greatest triumph is its juxtaposition of rigidity and softness. Its sculptural bodice resembles futuristic armor, while the delicate floral skirt introduces an unexpectedly romantic dimension. Taylor’s frosty makeup, short textured hairstyle, and restrained jewelry complemented the outfit without competing with its craftsmanship. Its only drawback is that the elaborate construction occasionally threatens to overshadow the wearer.

2 Sabrina Carpenter Paints the Town Blue

Sabrina Carpenter attends the 2026 Academy Museum Gala. https://t.co/V4q8zF1Twc

— Sabrina Carpenter Daily (@SCdailyupdates) October 18, 2026

Sabrina Carpenter abandoned her familiar coquettish aesthetic for a commanding cobalt-blue Giorgio Armani Privé gown. Inspired by the house’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection, the custom silk-cady creation featured daring side cutouts, an open back, and cascading crystal tassels. Chopard sapphire-and-diamond earrings supplied the finishing flourish. The dramatic back detailing was among the ensemble’s defining features. The transformation is especially striking when compared with Carpenter’s earlier red-carpet appearances. At the 2026 Met Gala, she embraced cinematic nostalgia with a Dior creation inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s Sabrina.

Explaining her adventurous fashion philosophy to The Wrap, Carpenter said:

The crazier the better, the more risks you take the better the payoff.

That willingness to experiment pays dividends here. The gown combines mature sophistication with just enough mischief to retain Carpenter’s distinctive personality. The saturated color, daring cutouts, and restrained accessories produce a look that is provocative without sacrificing polish.

1 Inde Navarrette Defies Convention

Inde Navarrette x Academy Museum Gala. Portrait by Gina Gizella Manning Set Design by PLATNA STUDIO https://t.co/jHh4I7Y0MV

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) October 18, 2026

Inde Navarrette stole the sartorial crown by embracing the kind of couture that refuses to play by established rules. The Obsession wore a flesh-toned Schiaparelli couture gown featuring hand-poured silicone polka dots, a low Basque waist, and a dramatically tiered tulle skirt. She paired the ensemble with Chopard jewelry. Navarrette subverted traditional glamour through the gown’s unconventional textures and bulbous proportions.

Unlike the sleek silhouettes dominating much of the carpet, her outfit deliberately distorted the body’s familiar outline. The raised embellishments introduced an almost biological quality, while the voluminous skirt transformed the design into a surrealist sculpture. Share your favorite Academy Museum Gala look in the comments and follow FandomWire for more rankings, Hollywood red-carpet highlights, entertainment news, and coverage.