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If you are oblivious to all the rumblings at the CFDA, you must be living in your own private silo. That said, Steven Kolb resigned from his position of CEO of the CFDA after the PETA debacle at the COS spring 2027 show.

Hildy Kuryk will serve as interim chief executive in Kolb’s absence. This is a temporary position while the CFDA employs Karen Harvey Consulting Group to find the next CFDA CEO. This search is expected to take three to six months.

Kuryk is the co-founder of boutique consultancy Artemis Strategies and previously served as executive director of communications at Vogue and Teen Vogue, working directly with Anna Wintour. Good luck!!

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More Andre

Though Andre Leon Talley transitioned to the ancestors four years ago, his legendary status is still going strong. The latest Andre Leon Talley documentary hits select theaters in October. “André Leon Talley: Style Is Forever” follows Talley from his childhood in Durham, NC to becoming the first black creative director of Vogue. The film features interviews from Talley’s fellow fashion industry professionals and is produced by executive producers SCAD President Paula Wallace, Colman Domingo and Raúl Domingo, and co-directed by SCAD alumnus Clay Haskell and journalist Zach Stafford.

The film features interviews with Tom Ford, Diane von Furstenberg, Anna Wintour, Paula Wallace, Zac Posen, Polly Mellon, Veronica Webb, Bethann Hardison, Isabella Rossellini, Zach Stafford, Pat Cleveland, Maureen Dowd, Norma Kamali, Vanessa Friedman, Vera Wang, Jonathan Becker, Lauren Santo Domingo, Law Roach, Derek Blasberg, Constance White, Ivan Shaw, Carlos Nazario, Kimora Lee Simmons, Lindsey Peoples Wagner, Phillip Bloch, and Bradley Bowers.

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Everything old is new again

The first volume of Zara’s partnership with John Galliano for the new Re {Form} Zara by John Galliano collection has dropped. This collaboration was announced in March of 2026 with Galliano taking inspiration from Zara’s past stock.

This first drop is massive with some of the standout garments—sheer dresses and coats—retailing for around $750 to $1000. (Still, this is considerably less than one would have paid for Galliano’s collections for Dior and Martin Margiela.)

“Each piece I started to play with took on its own character,” said Galliano of his process creating the collection, as reported in fashionweekdaily.com. “When you take something out of context and try it on different fabrics, you begin to subvert it. It becomes a little newer, but in a subtle way. You have to look twice sometimes. It’s a dialogue … to me, Re{form}.Zara means working in a similar way that digital artists do, or DJs when they sample music. It’s kind of the grammar of today. That’s how I see it with cloth.”

—William S. Gooch

Among the many stylish arrivals, several celebrities particularly stood out for embracing romance, theatricality and sophisticated glamour. Here are Fashion Reverie‘s 8 best celebrity looks from the 2026 New York City Ballet Fall Fashion Gala:

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Sarah Jessica Parker in Simone Rocha

Naturally, the evening’s founding chair delivered one of its most memorable fashion moments. Parker wore a custom Simone Rocha sheer, blush-toned gown decorated with delicate floral embroidery and pale-pink ribbons. The ballet-inspired silhouette included a pleated tulle layer beneath the sheer dress, while sparkling pointed shoes and a white embellished bag completed the romantic ensemble. Her extraordinarily long braided ponytail, threaded with matching pink ribbons, added another whimsical dimension.

Image courtesy of shuttterstock.com

Stevie Nicks in Romantic Pink

Honorary chair Stevie Nicks embraced the theatrical spirit of the gala in a romantic pink ensemble that looked as if she stepped out of a modern fairy tale. Her tiered dress combined tulle, ruffles, embroidery, and shimmering gold detailing. She accessorized with suede platform heels, layered bracelets, a large opal pendant and, most memorably, a dramatic flower crown in pink, white and green.

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Julia Fox in Vintage Yves Saint Laurent

Julia Fox opted for a surprisingly polished direction, wearing vintage Yves Saint Laurent in sculpted black velvet. The look featured a fitted velvet jacket with dramatic ruffle detailing, a high white lace collar and cuffs, paired with black lace-up platform boots. The combination of Victorian-inspired romance and sharp tailoring felt particularly appropriate.

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Olivia Rodrigo in Vintage Chloé

Olivia Rodrigo brought understated vintage glamour to the gala in a Chloé spring 1998 dress designed during Stella McCartney‘s tenure at the house. Sourced from Raffe Vintage, the delicate white slip-style gown featured slim spaghetti straps, floral lace detailing and an open back. Rodrigo kept the styling elegant and minimal.

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Nicole Ari Parker in Victor De Souza

Nicole Ari Parker made a dramatic entrance in a custom Victor De Souza gown inspired by Victorian tulle. The ivory creation featured sculptural tiers of ruffled, feather-like fabric and striking black lace appliqué across the bodice. A black clutch provided a sophisticated contrast to the romantic cream palette. The result was theatrical without losing its elegance, perfect for the ballet setting.

Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock 

Desi Lydic in Pamela Rolland 

Desi Lydic stood out in a sophisticated emerald-green one-shoulder gown by Pamela Rolland. The elegant bodice flowed into a dramatic, voluminous tulle skirt, creating a graceful silhouette that moved beautifully with the spirit of the evening. The rich jewel tone also offered a striking autumnal alternative to the softer ballet-inspired shades seen elsewhere on the carpet.

Image courtesy of celebmafia.com

Fran Drescher in Brunello Cucinelli 

Fran Drescher shimmered in a silver ribbed gown by Brunello Cucinelli that followed the contours of her figure while maintaining an elegant, streamlined silhouette. The long-sleeved design featured a subtle keyhole neckline and metallic finish, giving the classic evening gown a contemporary edge. Minimal jewelry allowed the texture and luminosity of the dress to take center stage. 

Image courtesy of Evan Agostini/AP News

Gilbert Bolden III in His Own Design

New York City principal dancer Gilbert Bolden III made one of the evening’s most memorable fashion statements in a dramatic white shirt-dress gown of his own design. The fitted, floor-length creation combined the structure of a classic dress shirt with an elongated train, while a black tie was wrapped around the skirt as a ribbon-like, creating an unexpected play on traditional menswear. The monochromatic black-and-white palette kept the look sophisticated and perfectly suited to the New York City Ballet’s fashion-focused gala. 

Tijana Ibrahimovic

Here are ten of the standout celebrity looks from the 2026 MTV VMAs.

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Taylor Swift in Tamara Ralph Couture

Taylor Swift embraced sophisticated Old Hollywood glamour in a dramatic Tamara Ralph Couture gown. The sculptural design featured a high neckline and gathered detailing around the hip, creating an elegant, statuesque silhouette. 

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Lisa in The Attico and Quine Li

Lisa delivered one of the evening’s most fashion-forward looks in a lingerie-inspired gown from The Attico, layered with a luxurious fur coat by Quine Li. The combination of delicate evening wear and dramatic outerwear gave the BLACKPINK star a distinctly editorial finish. 

Image courtesy of Getty Images

Teyana Taylor in Zuhair Murad Couture

Teyana Taylor leaned fully into dramatic boudoir glamour wearing a sheer, feather-trimmed coat dress from Zuhair Murad’s fall 2026 couture collection. The plunging lace and transparent construction created a daring yet highly polished red-carpet statement, perfectly suited to the anything-goes spirit of the VMAs. 

Images courtesy of Getty Images

Charli XCX in Saint Laurent

Charli XCX opted for sleek black Saint Laurent, wearing a crop top with a distinctive cutout at the bust, voluminous sleeves and a low-waisted skirt. The look combined sharp Parisian minimalism with the provocative styling that has become synonymous with the singer’s red-carpet appearances. 

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PinkPantheress in Nina Ricci

PinkPantheress offered a softer interpretation of VMA glamour in a romantic Nina Ricci dress. The ruffled, polka-dot design brought a playful, feminine quality to the carpet, contrasting with the night’s darker and more revealing fashion trend. 

Image courtesy of cbs.com

Tyla in Mowalola

Tyla made a quintessentially provocative VMA statement in a two-piece look by Nigerian-British designer Mowalola. Featuring an animal-print finish, bra-style top and ultra-low-rise styling, the ensemble embraced the singer’s confident approach to fashion. Chopard jewelry added a glamorous touch.

Image courtesy of elle.com

Raye in Georges Hobeika

Raye brought sophisticated evening glamour to the VMAs in a Georges Hobeika gown. The elegant silhouette offered a more traditional red-carpet interpretation while retaining the dramatic presence expected at the music industry’s most adventurous awards show. Her look stood out for its polished couture sensibility.

Image courtesy of Getty Images

Sienna Spiro in Custom Valentino

Rising star Sienna Spiro made an elegant entrance in a custom Valentino creation paired with Chopard jewelry. The look showcased the romantic side of the actress and singer’s style, while the couture construction gave her VMAs appearance a sophisticated, modern finish. 

Image courtesy of cbs.com

Normani in Robert Wun Couture

Normani embraced sculptural glamour in a metallic Robert Wun Couture gown. The high-neck design featured a dramatic mermaid silhouette and sculptural shoulders, creating a futuristic effect while maintaining the elegance of traditional evening wear. It was one of the night’s strongest examples of couture drama.

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Troye Sivan in Erdem

Troye Sivan brought a distinctly fashion-forward menswear moment to the carpet in Erdem. His tailored look demonstrated the continuing evolution of red-carpet menswear, mixing classic formal dressing with Erdem’s artistic feather design skirt. The result was polished without losing the individuality that makes Sivan’s fashion choices so memorable. 

The 2026 MTV VMAs once again demonstrated why the event remains one of the most exciting stops on the celebrity fashion calendar. The strongest looks were united not by one particular trend, but by a willingness to embrace personality, drama and individuality, qualities that continue to define VMA fashion.

Tijana Ibrahimovic

Image courtesy of amp3pr.com

This top fashion PR firm is reportedly looking for a buyer. That would explain why several top executives recently left the company. While it’s common for fashion publicists to jump from job to job, it’s unusual that several very senior people at this company would all leave in the same year.

 It’s also surprising that this company is looking to sell after bringing on two additional vice presidents this year. The question is: who will be the buyer? There’s at least one major fashion PR firm that wouldn’t mind acquiring this company and its roster of fashion and beauty brands.

Image courtesy of vogue.com

Off-White is going downhill. The brand’s sales have been steadily declining, and creative director Ib Kamara was recently ousted. Now, there’s a battle over whether to let the brand continue or lay it to rest. The company is owned by Bluestar Alliance, which has a 60% stake, and, which has a 40% stake.

While Bluestar thinks the brand is worth saving, is there really anyone who can replace the brand’s late founder, Virgil Abloh? We will see how much longer Off-White lasts.

The creative director of this major luxury house is reportedly on his way out after his couture collections have struggled to sell. The parent company of this luxury brand was hoping this designer could restore some of the old-school glamour of the brand, but sadly, the sales figures weren’t looking great. Customers had grown used to the previous designer’s much more youthful aesthetic and simply weren’t buying what this new creative director was selling.

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With Steven Kolb out as CFDA president following a physical altercation in which he restrained a PETA protester, the CFDA is now looking for a new head honcho. Now that Kolb is out, his closet skeletons are coming to light.

Former female employees have detailed the verbal abuse they suffered while working at the CFDA under Kolb. According to a 2019 survey, the majority of female employees said that Kolb had addressed them unprofessionally. A prominent fashion editor also discussed one of his past interactions with Kolb, in which he declared that the CFDA Awards were only for rich people and celebrities and that he didn’t want anyone of another ilk there. Sounds like it was beyond time for Kolb to go.

Mr. Dippity Don’t

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Zendaya in Prada

Zendaya once again proved why she remains one of the most anticipated stars on any awards-season red carpet. The actress wore a custom Prada gown covered in intricate embellishment, creating a spectacular sheer-effect silhouette that caught the light with every movement. Styled by Law Roach, the glamorous gown was paired with Mikimoto jewelry and a Rolex watch. Her newly debuted short pixie haircut gave the elaborate dress a modern, sophisticated counterpoint. 

Image courtesy of vogue.com

Selena Gomez in Louis Vuitton

Selena Gomez went for pure Hollywood glamour in a custom Louis Vuitton strapless gold chainmail gown. The metallic construction wrapped around her figure in a spiral pattern before opening into a softly flared mermaid skirt. Tiffany & Co. jewelry, including pieces featuring yellow gold and diamonds, added even more luminosity to the look. The golden palette also offered a subtle visual connection to the Emmy statuette itself. 

Image courtesy of elle.com

Ayo Edebiri in Chanel

Ayo Edebiri brought an elegant yet distinctive Chanel moment to the Emmy carpet. Her Chanel ensemble was styled with cultured Mikimoto pearls, allowing the jewelry to become an integral part of the overall look. The combination demonstrated Edebiri’s increasingly sophisticated approach to red-carpet dressing, balancing fashion-house craftsmanship with a youthful, contemporary attitude. 

Image courtesy of Getty Images

Elle Fanning in Ralph Lauren Collection

Elle Fanning embraced understated glamour in a flowing sage-green gown from Ralph Lauren Collection. The sleek silhouette featured an open back, giving the otherwise minimalist design a sensual finish. Cartier jewelry completed the ensemble without overwhelming the delicate color or streamlined shape. Fanning’s look was a perfect example of how a simple silhouette can make a strong statement through color, proportion, and impeccable styling. 

Image courtesy of whowhatwear.com

Carey Mulligan in The Row

Carey Mulligan delivered one of the evening’s more unexpected fashion moments in The Row. Her strapless Resort 2027 gown combined a soft sky-blue base with contrasting white detailing and patterned embroidery. A dramatic deconstructed bow extended down the back toward the hem, adding architectural interest to the otherwise elegant silhouette. Diamond earrings and a pearl ring provided understated finishing touches. 

Image courtesy of whowhatwear.com

Chase Infiniti in Louis Vuitton

First-time Emmy nominee Chase Infiniti made a dramatic entrance in a custom Louis Vuitton gown. The strapless, mermaid-cut design was covered in copper-colored beading, creating a molten metallic effect across the silhouette. Infiniti kept the rest of the styling relatively polished and uncomplicated, allowing the intricate Louis Vuitton craftsmanship to take center stage. Hearts on Fire jewelry completed the look. 

Image courtesy of Getty Images

Nicole Kidman in Chanel

Nicole Kidman delivered classic red-carpet drama in a custom white Chanel gown. The off-the-shoulder design featured feathered trim, a plunging neckline, and a dramatic thigh-high slit. Black pointed-toe stilettos created a sophisticated contrast against the white gown, while an Omega watch provided a subtle finishing detail. Her sleek, swept-back hair kept the focus firmly on the dramatic neckline and sculptural silhouette. 

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Grace Gummer in Dior

Grace Gummer embraced classic black-tie glamour in a black Dior gown from Jonathan Anderson‘s Resort 2027 collection. The strapless silhouette was enhanced with ruching and a series of pearl buttons running down the side of the long skirt. Boucheron jewelry added a touch of refinement to the monochromatic ensemble. The result was a sophisticated interpretation of black evening wear with enough couture detail to make it stand out. 

Image courtesy of elle.com

Dakota Fanning in Carolina Herrera

Dakota Fanning opted for polished femininity in a Carolina Herrera gown. The actress complemented the sophisticated evening silhouette with Swarovski jewelry, allowing the accessories to provide additional sparkle without competing with the dress. Her styling demonstrated the enduring appeal of classic American evening wear on an awards-season red carpet. 

Image courtesy of tomandlorenzo.com

Colman Domingo in Valentino

Colman Domingo once again demonstrated that the Emmy red carpet is not only about gowns. The actor wore a striking Valentino ensemble featuring a robe-style jacket paired with flared trousers. The relaxed yet highly polished proportions gave traditional formalwear a fashion-forward update, while Boucheron jewelry and an Omega timepiece completed the sophisticated look. Domingo’s ability to combine tailoring with theatrical elegance made his ensemble one of the evening’s memorable menswear moments. 

Tijana Ibrahimovic

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Every mother’s dream is to see their child being applauded on a stage. And if that mother is rapper Lil’ Kim—a celebrity who used to adulation and fame—then having your daughter recognized and applauded seems par for the course.

That said, Lil’ Kim almost missed her daughter runway appearance at the Runway on Broadway fashion show, presented by Macy’s in partnership with Rookie Kids in Herald Square. Scheduled to appear on the red carpet of the Runway on Broadway, Lil’ Kim missed that part of the event due a flight delay from Paris—Lil’ Kim halted her European tour to attend her daughter’s runway debut.

Images courtesy of VERY New York

Though Lil’ Kim missed the red carpet, security whisked into the runway portion of the event just in time to see her daughter, Royal Reign’s runway appearance. Lil’ Kim’s transatlantic dash was not about getting media attention or making a fashion statement, it was solely about supporting her daughter and being a good parent.

Aside from the heavy makeup, transformations, and suggestive music lyrics, Lil’ Kim is so much more than what is projected and perceived. (I’ve met her in person, and she was genuinely kind and gracious.) She is a mom and very involved in Royal Reign’s upbringing.

Image courtesy of hellobeautiful.com

Royal Reign walked the runway in two outfits. The purple/lavender Jordan Jumpman dress with classic Panda Dunks was appropriate for her age (12) and a great back-to-school look. The Jordan Jumpman jogging suit with sporty overskirt and top was fashion forward and a lot of fun.

—William S. Gooch

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Unless you are living under a rock or do not follow fashion, you probably know about all the scandal around CFDA CEO Steven Kolb tackling a PETA protester at the COS spring 2027 runway show. Early last week, Kolb was put on administrative leave. And last Friday, after two decades of leading the CFDA, Kolb resigned from his position as CEO.

“I am enormously proud of what we have built together and believe this is the right moment for both me and the organization to begin a new chapter,” Steven Kolb said in a statement, as reported at cnn.com. “We respect Steven’s decision to step down and are grateful for his many years of leadership and service to the CFDA and our industry,” the association said in a statement on social media.

Before his resignation, and according to Moira Colley, senior director of media relations for PETA in New York, PETA had planned to meet with Kolb to discuss the end of the use of wool and animal skin in clothing. Now that Kolb has resigned PETA still plans to meet with Kolb and “hopefully others in the industry will meet and take meaningful steps to stop this epidemic of cruelty to animals.”

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Gone too soon

Presley Gerber, son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and Casamigos co-founder Rande Gerber, died on Sunday, September 20 at the age of 27. Though the exact cause of death is not known, according to the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner, Presley Gerber was in a rehab facility.

Following in his supermodel mom’s footsteps, Presley started modeling professionally in 2015, signing with his sister Kaia Gerber to IMG Models. After leaving IMG Models for DNA Models in 2019, Kaia’s career reached new heights while Presley’s career stalled. Over the next five years Presley spiraled into alcohol and drug addictions, over time becoming addicted opiates with an almost fentanyl overdose.

According to the fashionweekdaily.com in 2025 Presley confirmed that he was suffering from prescription medication dependency after seeing over 15 different psychiatrists who he accused of heavily medicating him. Kaia Gerber in an August Vogue interview stated that she was proud of her brother for seeking therapy to deal with his addiction struggles.

“My parents for most of our lives were very, very private and didn’t share anything—and now we have this absolute teacher, my brother, who says, ‘I’m gonna be very human for everyone,’” she said. “There’s only so much you can hide from the world. And trying to put a lid on something just makes the person feel like you’re ashamed of them.”

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Donatella is not done yet

Donatella Versace is not letting any grass grow under her feet. After being eased out of her brother’s namesake luxury fashion house, Donatella is partnering with REVOLVE in a joint venture that spans fashion and beauty.

“I believe creativity should be fearless, inclusive and alive in the world,” said Donatella in a statement. “I have always been inspired by the next generation, in music, film, art and, of course, fashion. This partnership gives me the freedom to speak to that generation in a completely new and personal way, through beauty and fashion. REVOLVE understands something I believe deeply: culture comes from connection. Together, we want to create that connection with a new voice, a new look and a new energy.”

Donatella Versace will act as the chief creative officer of this venture, crafting its identity, product, collaborators, and cultural world. Revolve will use its business outreach to identify global capabilities across digital commerce, technology, consumer intelligence, operations, marketing, and community.

“Donatella is one of the defining creative voices of our time,” said Michael Mente, co-founder and co-CEO of Revolve Group, as reported in fashionweekdaily.com. “This partnership gives that vision an entirely new platform and the freedom to build something from the ground up.”

“Donatella has an extraordinary instinct for what the next generation wants and an unmatched ability to connect fashion with culture,” said Raissa Gerona, Revolve Group’s president of brand and partnerships. “That is what makes this partnership so exciting.”

The brand name, vision, and launch will be revealed later this year.

—William S. Gooch

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Elle Fanning – Coach

Elle Fanning embraced Coach‘s nostalgic New York attitude at the brand’s 85th-anniversary celebration. She wore a dramatic leopard-print coat over a vivid red leather skirt, completing the look with a black beret. The combination of animal print, saturated color and retro accessories captured Coach’s Americana-inspired aesthetic while giving Fanning a playful, fashion-forward silhouette.

Image courtesy of Joe Schildhorn/shutterstock

Cynthia Erivo – Ralph Lauren

Cynthia Erivo brought theatrical sophistication to Ralph Lauren’s front row. Her black military-inspired jacket featured striking red detailing at the collar and sleeves, which she paired with dramatic black flared trousers and a coordinating beret. The strong tailoring gave the ensemble a commanding presence, while the red accents added a classic Ralph Lauren touch.

Image courtesy of newyorktimes.com

Rachel Brosnahan – Ralph Lauren

Rachel Brosnahan chose a sophisticated tonal brown ensemble for Ralph Lauren. Her tailored jacket and coordinated trousers created a streamlined silhouette, while a structured top-handle bag added a polished finishing touch. The rich chocolate palette gave the outfit a luxurious, understated quality that perfectly complemented Ralph Lauren’s signature American elegance.

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Sadie Sink – Calvin Klein

Sadie Sink opted for sleek tailoring at Calvin Klein, wearing a pinstripe vest with matching trousers. The streamlined suit demonstrated the continuing appeal of menswear-inspired dressing while retaining a youthful quality. Minimal accessories allowed the precision of the tailoring to remain the focal point.

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Pamela Anderson – Calvin Klein

Pamela Anderson embraced Calvin Klein‘s refined minimalism in a sophisticated black-and-ivory ensemble. She wore a square-neck midi dress with pointed black pumps and a coordinating clutch. The clean lines and restrained color palette created a sophisticated look that allowed Anderson’s understated beauty styling to complement the clothes.

Image courtesy of thefashionspot.com

Emily Ratajkowski – Calvin Klein

Emily Ratajkowski offered a contemporary take on monochromatic dressing in white. Her look combined a semi-sheer white turtleneck with sleek leather trousers and minimalist sandals. The contrast between translucent fabric and polished leather added texture while keeping the overall silhouette modern and streamlined.

Image courtesy of Hola!

Camila Cabello – Tommy Hilfiger

Camila Cabello brought playful American prep to Tommy Hilfiger‘s front row. She paired a white tank top with a coordinating sweater ensemble and styled white socks with heels for an unexpected twist. The combination of classic collegiate references and fashion-forward accessories gave the look a youthful, distinctly New York attitude.

Image courtesy of voguearabia.com

Winnie Harlow – Tommy Hilfiger

Winnie Harlow leaned into Tommy Hilfiger‘s sporty Americana codes in a rugby-inspired shirt paired with patchwork denim. She finished the ensemble with a black flap bag and oversized sunglasses. The look successfully combined casual, collegiate references with the polished accessories expected from a fashion-week front row.

Image courtesy of Getty Images

Venus Williams – Simkhai

Venus Williams made a glamorous statement at Simkhai in a dramatic little black dress featuring feathery embellishment. The feathered texture transformed the classic LBD into something more theatrical, while the relatively concise silhouette prevented the embellishment from overwhelming the look. It was an elegant example of how texture can turn a wardrobe classic into a statement piece.

 (Photo by TheStewartofNY/Getty Images)

Natalia Dyer – Carolina Herrera

Natalia Dyer was one of the standout guests at Carolina Herrera’s spring 2027 show, arriving in a romantic burgundy floral gown from the house. The strapless design featured diagonal draping and ruching through the bodice and waist, creating movement before opening into a dramatic long skirt with a high side opening. Dyer coordinated the gown with a structured mini bag in a matching cranberry shade and dark-red peep-toe pumps. The result was a quintessentially feminine Carolina Herrera moment, combining florals, elegance and dramatic evening wear.

Carolina Herrera’s Star-Studded New York Return

Carolina Herrera’s spring 2027 presentation deserves particular attention. Celebrating the brand’s 45th anniversary, creative director Wes Gordon returned the house to New York and presented the collection at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. The setting was transformed with thousands of yellow tulips, reinforcing the collection’s celebration of color, glamour and the house’s New York heritage. The front row included Alexa Chung, Pamela Anderson, Camila Mendes, Natalia Dyer, Lucy Hale, Martha Stewart, and Sebastian Yatra. 

Camila Mendes offered another particularly memorable Herrera moment, wearing a black fitted mock-neck top with a brown-and-black leopard-print midi skirt, matching leopard clutch and pointed black shoes. A wide black headband and gold earrings completed the polished ensemble. The show itself revisited many of Carolina Herrera’s most recognizable signatures, including polka dots, florals, crisp white shirts, defined waists, dramatic evening silhouettes and vibrant color. Gordon also incorporated an Andy Warhol portrait of Herrera into the collection, linking the house’s history with its contemporary New York identity. 

Tijana Ibrahimovic

This year’s fashion offered plenty of variety: archival couture, sharply tailored silhouettes, romantic evening gowns and fresh interpretations of classic red-carpet dressing. Here are ten of the standout celebrity looks that made an impression at Venice Film Festival 2026.

Image courtesy of Grazia Magazine

Amal Clooney in Tom Ford by Haider Ackermann

Amal Clooney opened the festival in spectacular fashion in a black Tom Ford by Haider Ackermann gown. The body-contouring design featured dramatic razor pleating and a sleek, sculptural silhouette that perfectly suited the glamour of the Venice premiere. The gown was an elegant choice for the opening ceremony, where George Clooney received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement. 

Image courtesy of British Vogue

Bhavitha Mandava in Chanel by Matthieu Blazy

Model Bhavitha Mandava delivered one of the festival’s most talked-about fashion moments in Chanel by Matthieu Blazy. Her dramatic Resort 2027 look combined Chanel’s heritage with Blazy’s modern approach, creating a statement-making silhouette for the premiere of “Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People?” British Vogue described the look as a spectacular fashion moment, and its intricate construction reportedly required an extraordinary amount of craftsmanship. The mermaid dress that took 1,250 hours to make. 

(Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Vittoria Ceretti in Giorgio Armani Privé

Vittoria Ceretti embraced classic Italian glamour in a custom Giorgio Armani Privé gown. The supermodel’s sophisticated red-carpet appearance was elevated with Boucheron and Crivelli jewelry, allowing the gown’s elegant silhouette to remain the focus. Ceretti was among the models who made a particularly strong fashion impression throughout this year’s festival. 

Image courtesy of thekit.ca

Phoebe Waller-Bridge in Celine

Phoebe Waller-Bridge brought a refined, minimalist sensibility to Venice in a custom Celine look. The ensemble demonstrated how tailoring can be just as striking as a traditional ball gown, while the actress and filmmaker’s polished styling kept the overall effect effortlessly sophisticated. Her look was particularly memorable at the “Wild Horse Nine” premiere. 

(Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Sydney Sweeney in Vintage Giorgio Armani

Sydney Sweeney turned to the Giorgio Armani archives for one of the festival’s most exciting fashion moments. She wore a vintage Giorgio Armani look from the year 2000, sourced through Raffe Vintage. The archival choice brought a distinctly early-2000s sensibility to the Lido while demonstrating why vintage fashion continues to play such an important role on the modern red carpet. 

Image courtesy of Miu Miu

Pamela Anderson in Miu Miu

Pamela Anderson continued her recent fashion evolution in Miu Miu during her Venice appearances. Her festival wardrobe balanced sophisticated tailoring with softer, feminine elements, while her minimal beauty styling allowed the clothes to take center stage. Anderson appeared in several memorable looks during the festival, proving that a consistent fashion point of view can be just as impactful as a single dramatic gown. 

Image courtesy of Getty Images/Danny Beck

Emma Corrin in Celine

Emma Corrin demonstrated the power of understated dressing with a sophisticated Celine look. Corrin has become known for fashion choices that blur traditional boundaries between masculine and feminine dressing, and her Venice wardrobe continued that approach with clean proportions, polished accessories, and a distinctly modern attitude.  

Image courtesy of pagesix.com

Irina Shayk in Dolce & Gabbana

Irina Shayk brought full fashion-editorial drama to Venice in Dolce & Gabbana. The model’s look embraced the Italian house’s signature sensuality while maintaining the polished sophistication expected. Shayk was one of several models who became major fashion attractions throughout the festival.

Image courtesy of Red Carpet Bunker

Penélope Cruz in Chanel

Penélope Cruz delivered classic movie-star elegance in Chanel. Appearing alongside Javier Bardem for “Bunker,” Cruz demonstrated the enduring appeal of sophisticated French couture on the Venice red carpet. Her Chanel appearance also complemented Bardem’s formal styling, creating one of the festival’s memorable celebrity-couple fashion moments. 

Image courtesy of Red Carpet Bunker

Maggie Gyllenhaal in Celine

As president of the Venezia 83 Competition jury, Maggie Gyllenhaal had plenty of opportunities to make a fashion statement and she did. Her Celine looks frequently played with tailoring, proportions and unexpected footwear. 

Tijana Ibrahimovic

What captivated the designer most about these artworks was how they captured color, light, movement, and dimension. This informed her design approach, resulting in everything from classic evening gowns to cocktail dresses. The opening look featured a blue high-low shirt dress with balloon sleeves and floral appliqués, paired with a blue tulle skirt, an exceptionally unique adaptation of the shirt dress. There are high-low dresses and shirt dresses, but rarely, if ever, have the two met.

Sculptural forms were central to this NARDOS collection, harkening back to the European art inspiration. By look two, a blue floral-embroidered top with a flared cylindrical hemline, the brand began playing with proportions. Although eveningwear is often restricted to traditional ball gown silhouettes, NARDOS played with asymmetrical details, two-piece midriff-baring ensembles, and sheer details to add sex appeal.

Her color palette choices of blue, green, and yellow were a direct nod to the admiration she has for Leonardo DaVinci, who believed nature was the greatest teacher, dedicating his life to studying water, plants, and light. He was much more than the artist behind The Mona Lisa.

Images courtesy of Purple PR

NARDOS asked herself what if this approach to art also lent itself to couture techniques, as the brand explored sculptural silhouettes softened by organic floral forms, intricate embroidery unfolding across the body, and layered textures meant to evoke petals, leaves, and natural landscapes.

At the very heart of the collection was a message of environmentalism. The idea that beauty, fashion, and nature are all things that must be preserved for a brighter future. It wasn’t an on-the-nose message about how we need to save our planet, but rather a call to save things of beauty as best as possible. Like flowers, fashion always finds a way to bloom.

Kristopher Fraser