Old Hollywood Glamour Ruled the Academy Museum Gala 2026 Red Carpet

If the sixth Academy Museum Gala proved one thing on October 17, it was that minimalism is officially over on the red carpet. Fashion watchers described the night’s mood as “reimagined classicism” — Golden Age of Hollywood silhouettes rebuilt with modern structure, volume and shine.

Taylor Swift delivered the evening’s most talked-about look: a pale blue strapless Dior gown with a crystal-embellished bodice, a sparkling bow and a flowing skirt, finished with Chopard jewelry including platinum earrings carrying more than 32 carats of diamonds. But the real story was the designer. The gown came from Dior creative director Jonathan Anderson — the same designer behind the custom wedding gown Swift wore when she married Travis Kelce in July. Choosing him again turned a glamorous appearance into a personal statement.

Jamie Lee Curtis went for gold on a night with a full-circle meaning for her: the gala honored John Carpenter, the director of Halloween, the franchise that made her a star. Curtis, who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2023, has been on a remarkable run — reuniting with Lindsay Lohan for Freakier Friday and leading the thriller series Scarpetta.

The standout list went on: Naomi Ackie commanded attention in a voluminous deep-purple Balenciaga gown, Maya Hawke dazzled in a crystal-encrusted Prada column, and Mia Goth leaned into dark, moody elegance in a sequined Dior number.

Beyond the clothes, the gala remains one of Hollywood’s most important fundraisers — the museum has welcomed over 1.5 million visitors since opening, and nights like this keep its exhibitions and education programs running. For more star stories and bios, explore our Did You Know collection.