By Christian Allaire October 17, 2026 Photo: Getty Images Save Story Save this story Save Story Save this story This evening, the 2026 Academy Museum Gala—now in its sixth year running—gathered an A-list crowd to celebrate and advance the museum's mission to “celebrate and preserve cinema.”
Co-chaired by Tom Ford, Robert Rodriguez, Steven Spielberg, and Kate Capshaw, the special evening naturally brought together an impressive list of Hollywood heavyweights—including the special honorees of the night, which included Charlize Theron, the recipient of the Icon Award; Luminary Award winner John Carpenter; and Colman Domingo, who took home the Vantage Award. Oh, and Taylor Swift was also in the house, delivering a special performance.
Before the main event kicked off, however, the glitzy Academy Gala red carpet saw all of these A-listers bring out their finest evening attire for the night. (A similar vibe to last year’s carpet .) The best-dressed stars of the night? It was those who leaned into classic Hollywood glamour—with a twist.
Highlights included actor Naomi Ackie, who kicked off the red carpet in a fabulous purple Balenciaga strapless gown—complete with a tiered, voluminous silhouette. Other stars went more sleek and streamlined, like Maya Hawke in her crystal bejeweled Prada column gown, or Mia Goth in her slinky black sequin Dior dress.
Below, see more of Vogue ’s best dressed stars from the 2026 Academy Museum Gala, as they arrive in real time. And be sure to vote on who you thought was best dressed.
Expand Photo: Getty Images 1/23 Naomi Ackie in Balenciaga Is this your favorite look?
Expand Photo: Getty Images 2/23 Taylor Swift in Dior Is this your favorite look?
Expand Photo: Getty Images 3/23 Mia Goth in Dior Is this your favorite look?
Expand Photo: Getty Images 4/23 Diego Calva Is this your favorite look?
Expand Photo: Getty Images 5/23 Maya Hawke in Prada Is this your favorite look?
Expand Photo: Getty Images 6/23 Cole Escola in Chanel Is this your favorite look?
Expand Photo: Getty Images 7/23 Elle Fanning in Valentino Is this your favorite look?
Expand Photo: Getty Images 8/23 Miyako Bellizzi in Chanel Is this your favorite look?
Expand Photo: Getty Images 9/23 Hailey Bieber in Chanel Is this your favorite look?
Expand Photo: Getty Images 10/23 A$AP Rocky in Chanel Is this your favorite look?
Expand Photo: Getty Images 11/23 Tracee Ellis Ross in Balenciaga Is this your favorite look?
Expand Photo: Getty Images 12/23 Greta Lee in Dior Is this your favorite look?
Expand Photo: Getty Images 13/23 Emma Chamberlain in Giorgio Armani Is this your favorite look?
Expand Photo: Getty Images 14/23 Colman Domingo in Valentino Is this your favorite look?
Expand Photo: Getty Images 15/23 Charlize Theron in Tom Ford by Haider Ackermann Is this your favorite look?
Expand Photo: Getty Images 16/23 Whitney Peak in Diotima Is this your favorite look?
Expand Photo: Getty Images 17/23 Connor Storrie in Saint Laurent Is this your favorite look?
Expand Photo: Getty Images 18/23 Emily Ratajkowski Is this your favorite look?
Expand Photo: Getty Images 19/23 Eiza Gonzalez in Ralph Lauren Is this your favorite look?
Expand Photo: Getty Images 20/23 Kendall Jenner in Valentino Is this your favorite look?
Expand Photo: Getty Images 21/23 Hunter Schafer in Prada Is this your favorite look?
Expand Photo: Getty Images 22/23 Wunmi Mosaku in Louis Vuitton Is this your favorite look?
Expand Photo: Getty Images 23/23 Jacob E…