Academy Museum Gala 2026 Best Dressed: Sabrina Carpenter's Sapphire Armani, Colman Domingo's Beaded Valentino and More

Some red carpets feel like homework. The Academy Museum Gala feels like a party, and the fashion showed it.

Colman Domingo x Academy Museum Gala.

Portrait by Gina Gizella Manning
Set Design by PLATNA STUDIO pic.twitter.com/iKoSn3Uaer

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) October 18, 2026

Inde Navarrette x Academy Museum Gala.

Portrait by Gina Gizella Manning
Set Design by PLATNA STUDIO pic.twitter.com/jHh4I7Y0MV

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) October 18, 2026

Jessica Biel x Academy Museum Gala.

Portrait by Gina Gizella Manning
Set Design by PLATNA STUDIO pic.twitter.com/Oxhuy8f0yk

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) October 18, 2026

The sixth annual fundraiser took over Los Angeles on Saturday, October 17, and The Hollywood Reporter noticed a happy theme running through the looks: "a wonderful ease," mixing fresh-off-the-runway pieces with archival and custom designs. The outlet even points out that the night is talked about as a rival to LACMA's Art+Film Gala for the title of "west coast Met Gala." Robert Rodriguez, Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw served as co-chairs, THR reported.

We already covered Taylor Swift's live 'Fate of Ophelia' moment, Charlize Theron's Icon Award and Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi's big night out. Now let's talk clothes.

Sabrina Carpenter's sapphire surprise

Sabrina Carpenter knows how to make an entrance, and an exit. THR reported that her custom Giorgio Armani Privé gown, in blue silk cady, was inspired by a look from the house's Spring/Summer 2026 collection. The real showstopper was the back: an open design with tassels cascading from her shoulders.

The color was right on time, too. Sapphire blue is a trending shade for Fall 2026, THR noted, "so it's fitting that it would be worn by the woman who routinely sets style trends." She finished the look with diamond and sapphire earrings by Chopard, and Harper's Bazaar listed her among the night's first arrivals in custom Armani Privé and Chopard.

Colman Domingo, maximum cool

Colman Domingo was one of the evening's honorees, receiving the Vantage Award, and THR said he was "among the night's most anticipated arrivals" because fans knew he'd bring it. He did. He wore a custom beaded Valentino jacket with a black tuxedo shirt, tuxedo trousers and his bow tie left undone around his neck, which THR called "a statement of maximum cool." Boucheron jewels and an Omega watch finished the look.

Cailee Spaeny in pink

According to THR, social media "kicked into a frenzy" when Cailee Spaeny arrived in a fuchsia silk strapless Valentino gown from the Spring 2027 collection Alessandro Michele showed on October 4. The pleated train in rose and pale pink had Instagram swooning over the tonal mix.

Feathers, bubbles and pockets

• Jessica Biel wore Tamara Ralph's Fall 2026 couture, with feathers framing her face and a high slit. THR said feathers were one of the night's big trends, and Biel's look was "equal parts fun, sleek and glamorous."
• Inde Navarrette brought Schiaparelli whimsy in a sheer, skin-tone tulle gown with cascading polka dots on a tiered bubble skirt, per THR.
• Naomi Ackie went big in custom aubergine taffeta Balenciaga with a strapless bubble bodice and a sweeping train. As THR noted, plenty of people online spotted the best detail: pockets.
• Kate Hudson, one of the gala's host committee members, glowed in a blush-pink custom Armani Privé gown with a crystal-embroidered ruffle, '40s-inspired waves and Harry Winston diamonds, THR reported.
• Gemma Chan went sleek in a pink silk gabardine Prada dress with a front cutout and draped back knot, finished with Cartier, according to THR and Harper's Bazaar.

The tailoring was strong, too

The men came to play. THR praised Rhea Seehorn's modern Balenciaga tuxedo by Pierpaolo Piccioli, Rufus Sewell's brown velvet Dunhill double-breasted jacket and Charles Melton's experimental ERL tailcoat with a cropped front and wide-legged trousers.

More stars on the carpet

Harper's Bazaar's full gallery shows how deep the guest list ran: Hailey Bieber in custom Chanel, Ana de Armas in Louis Vuitton, Olivia Munn in vintage Bob Mackie and Grace Gummer in Dior. The evening raised money for the Academy Museum's mission "to preserve film history for future generations," Bazaar noted.

Our pick

If we had to choose one look? It's a tie between Sabrina's sapphire tassels and Colman's undone bow tie. One was pure drama, the other pure ease, and together they summed up exactly why this gala has become one of the most fun red carpets of the year.