The Best-Dressed Stars at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards

The 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards transformed New York City’s American Museum of Natural History into a glamorous showcase of fashion, creativity, and celebrity style. Actors, musicians, designers, models, and influential figures from across the fashion industry gathered to celebrate outstanding contributions to American fashion and recognize some of the industry’s most exciting talents.

Hosted by actress Keke Palmer, this year’s ceremony brought together established designers and emerging creative forces for an evening celebrating innovation and artistic excellence.

Among the night’s major honorees were Anthony Vaccarello, who received the International Designer of the Year award; renowned photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, who were recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award; and architect Peter Marino, who received the Fashion Icon Award.

Before the awards ceremony began, however, the red carpet provided plenty of memorable fashion moments. While several attendees embraced timeless tailoring, understated silhouettes, and elegant monochromatic ensembles, others made bold statements with metallic fabrics, dramatic eveningwear, and eye-catching designs.

Gold emerged as one of the evening’s standout fashion choices, adding a touch of glamour to the occasion. Hailey Bieber, Zoë Kravitz, Anja Rubik, and Rosé were among the celebrities who attracted attention with sophisticated looks from Anthony Vaccarello’s latest collection.

The Stars Who Stole the Spotlight

The evening featured an impressive lineup of fashion-forward appearances. Cole Escola made a statement in Luar, while Emmy Rossum opted for an elegant ensemble by Kallmeyer. Tinashe brought contemporary flair in Christopher John Rogers, and Gracie Abrams showcased a refined look by Colleen Allen.

Other notable appearances included Sydney Lemmon in Emily Dawn Long, Shaboozey in Ralph Lauren, and Lila Moss in Juju Vera Studio. June Ambrose turned heads in Marc Jacobs, while Stella Hanan wore Simkhai and Mona Tougaard appeared in Lii.

Nara Smith chose Altuzarra, while Lupita Nyong’o embraced a distinctive look from Gap Studio. Laufey wore Thom Browne, and Rose Byrne delivered a polished appearance in Carolina Herrera.

The fashionable guest list continued with Alexa Chung in Tory Burch, Yseult in a striking ensemble, and Indya Moore in Diotima. Linda Fargo wore Michael Kors, Naomi Osaka appeared in Miss Claire Sullivan, and Giancarlo Esposito completed the lineup in Public School.

From classic sophistication to daring contemporary designs, the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards red carpet offered a diverse celebration of personal style and creative expression.

With so many memorable appearances, choosing the evening’s best-dressed star is no easy task. Here are 21 standout looks that defined the night’s fashion moments.

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