The Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles, held to support the Academy Museum, is quickly becoming the best of the best for red carpet fashion. It’s the west coast’s Met Gala if you will!

While there is not a designated theme at the Academy Museum Gala as there is for the Met Gala, the event embraces an unofficial spirit of old-school Hollywood glamour, red-carpet elegance, and black-tie sophistication. That glamour was certainly brought on October 17, 2026 when stars, including Charlize Theron, Colman Domingo and John Carpenter – who were the nights honorees – stepped onto the red carpet to celebrate the museum.

Here are my picks – and some fun commentary – for best dressed at the 2026 Academy Gala.

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Taylor Swift – the best she has ever looked on any red carpet. Does she have a new stylist? Is this married life coming out? Whatever it is, keep it up girl.

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Kerry Washington – sparkles, bows, lace – oh my! The simple hair takes it to the next level too.

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Jodie Turner-Smith – maybe not the most gala ready look, but it’s so chic and so unique, and it definitely gives old-Hollywood.

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Sabrina Carpenter – is she working with Taylor’s new stylist too? So elegant and such a departure from her norm, but fabulous. Stunning color too.

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Justin Timberlake & Jessica Biel – Jess looked flawless on her own, from front to beaded back, but Justin is great arm candy, and the best accessory, so I had to include my man!

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Ana de Armas – the shape is everything and that necklace, wow!

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Kendall Jenner – the best of the Jenner/Kardashian clan, always. This look is exceptionally great! Dare I say, possibly my favorite look of the night.

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Chase Infiniti – the girl has a great stylist, she looks spectacular on every red carpet she walks. This is no exception!

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Alexander Skarsgard – the man has been doing some very odd things with fashion lately (clear shoes on a man? No!) but I applaud him for thinking outside the box, or rather being willing to do what his stylist tells him. This one works.

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Hunter Schafer – simple, subtle and so elegant. Hair could have used more curl for 100% but this is a 98%.

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Inde Navarrette – she may be new on the scene, but she nailed the red carpet style. It’s unique, its funky, it’s eye catching – it’s perfect.

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Kate Hudson – perfection for old-Hollywood glamour. I would have loved to see this in a jewel tone though, and velvet bodice.

The star-studded event, co-chaired by Steven Spielberg, Tom Ford, Robert Rodriguez, and Kate Capshaw, raised over $14 million to support the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures’ educational initiatives, public programming, and preservation efforts.

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