This year’s Emmy Awards red carpet in Los Angeles broke with the usual style playbook. At the Peacock Theater, nominees and winners favored bold choices and personal statements over safe bets. The carpet itself was blue instead of red, a nod to NBC’s 100th anniversary and its peacock logo, setting the tone for a night of reinvention.
Zendaya drew immediate attention in a beaded Prada dress and a sharp pixie cut. Her look quickly became the night’s standout. Tom Holland, in a classic suit beside her, sharpened the contrast, reflecting a move away from coordinated couple outfits toward individual style.
The New York Times reported that Jean Smart’s Emmy win for 'Hacks' was her eighth acting Emmy, tying her with Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus for the most acting wins in Emmy history.
Color was everywhere. Carey Mulligan wore an electric blue gown from The Row, while Calista Flockhart chose a bright fuchsia dress by Zuhair Murad. Both looks broke from the muted tones of recent years. Rhea Seehorn, who won Best Actress in a Drama Series for 'Pluribus', arrived in a vivid red Louis Vuitton dress with Swarovski jewelry. Her win and look both stood out, and outlets including NPR and ABC covered her appearance widely.
Minimalism had its place, too. Elle Fanning’s green Ralph Lauren dress, with its 1990s-inspired lines, and Julia Garner’s Loewe outfit showed that simple designs can still make an impact. Nicole Kidman, representing Chanel, wore a white gown that balanced classic style with a modern edge. CNN noted that the range of styles reflected a shift toward authenticity and personal storytelling on the carpet.
Some choices divided opinion. Shailene Woodley’s Balenciaga outfit, with wide trousers, a blue top, and leather gloves, stood out for its unusual shape. Noah Wyle’s gold jacket broke away from the standard tuxedo and drew mixed reactions. Wyle was also a major winner, taking home Best Actor in a Drama Series for 'The Pitt', as reported by TV Insider and The New York Times. Jean Smart, who won for 'Hacks', wore a black and silver dress that showed she’s still willing to take risks.
Designers had a big influence on the night. Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Vivienne Westwood, Saint Laurent, Armani Privé, The Row, Zuhair Murad, Loewe, Issey Miyake, Carolina Herrera, and Balenciaga all made appearances. The carpet felt less like a parade of safe choices and more like a place for creative risks. Fashion galleries from CNN and CBC focused on photos of standout looks, showing how images shape the public’s memory of the event.
Couples and partnerships also drew attention. Michelle Pfeiffer and David E. Kelley arrived together, with Pfeiffer in a black Saint Laurent dress. Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart, along with Claire Danes, nominated for 'La bestia en mí', and her partner, added a personal touch to the night. Other winners whose red carpet appearances drew media attention included Sally Field, Tom Pelphrey, Stephen Root, Kate O’Flynn, David Harbour, and Linda Cardellini, information from NPR and ABC.
Age didn’t mean playing it safe. Jean Smart, at 75, and Sally Field, who won for 'Criaturas luminosas' in a blue short-sleeved dress, showed that experience can bring confidence, not caution. Younger stars like Sarah Pidgeon, in a lilac Chanel slip dress, and Dakota Fanning, styled by Carolina Herrera, were just as willing to take risks. Allison Janney, who won Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for 'The Diplomat', also stood out, blurring the line between fashion coverage and the ceremony’s results, as reported by ABC and TV Insider.
For men, the classic tuxedo was still around, but those who broke the mold, like Noah Wyle, got the most attention. Matthew Rhys, who won two Emmys for 'Widow's Bay' and 'La bestia en mí', stuck with tradition, but the night’s story belonged to those who tried something different. BBC described the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards as among the most eventful in recent years; BBC, CNN, and NPR published live winner updates throughout the night. Rhys also became a double winner, taking home awards in both comedy and limited series categories. BBC and CNN’s live coverage kept the spotlight moving, giving fashion and achievements space on the same stage.
This year’s Emmy red carpet sent a clear message: predictable fashion is out. Stars embraced color and new shapes, relying on trusted designers to help them stand out. The shift reflected a bigger appetite for authenticity and individuality in an industry known for playing it safe. The 2026 Emmy Awards will be remembered for those who took risks and changed the rules as the night unfolded.
