The Hollywood Reporter presents its inaugural data-driven stylists’ survey, in which tastemakers voted on their peers’ most impressive looks this year. What’s being served: fashion as art.
November 4, 2026 7:00pm
Published on November 4, 2026
In the three decades since red carpets have become synonymous with Hollywood couture, celebrity stylists have outpaced fashion editors, models, moguls and, more recently, content creators as the true arbiters of the town’s taste. No one else has the number of media impressions that top Hollywood stylists do, with many of them pulling in millions of followers. Of course, Beyoncé, Rihanna and Taylor Swift have 500 million-plus Instagram fans each, but much of the engagement is driven by what their stylists are putting on their backs.
That’s why, as this year winds down, THR reached out to the many pros who’ve now achieved fame in their own right for dressing the most visible personages in the world. What did we learn? The newish Parisian design duo behind Matières Fécales — Hannah Rose Dalton and Steven Raj Bhaskaran — have captured stylists’ hearts the most, while Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel, Jonathan Anderson’s Dior and Anthony Vaccarello’s Saint Laurent also number among Hollywood’s favorite designers. Feathers still are flying on red carpet fits for all genders. The sheer look continues to show off, but cutouts and two-piece looks are taking over the body-part wars. Lace, lingerie and leather are now completely red carpet-worthy. Slinky close fits and strong tailoring are forever. And so, apparently, is fashion’s idolization of Zendaya. We could have easily included three or more of her looks, but to keep the list varied and fun, we chose only one top fit per actor or actress. The methodology behind the list included tabulating the top 10 looks chosen by 50-plus stylists, prioritizing by the number of votes each look received, and then, to break ties, bringing in rankings. The result: a realistic look at coming trends and which designers and designs rank the highest for Hollywood, by the world’s top tastemakers.
With reporting by Elycia Rubin.
At the NYC premiere of The Odyssey on July 14, America’s favorite zillennial stunned in Matières Fécales’ “Ange” gown. Styled by Law Roach, the micro-hand-pleated chiffon creation sported white rooster feather wings designed to evoke Zendaya’s character in the movie: Greek goddess Athena. “What I loved most about the Matières angel look,” says stylist Ilaria Urbinati (her clients: Dwayne Johnson, Barry Keoghan) “is how cohesively ethereal it felt from head to toe. It didn’t look costume-y. She looked like a painting. Not many could pull it off.” Adds stylist Tara Swennen (Kristen Stewart, Ali Wong), “It literally took my breath away.”
At the Met Gala on May 4, Chamberlain grabbed the limelight in custom Mugler by Miguel Castro Freitas. Inspired by impressionist painters, the one-of-a-kind rainbow dress, styled by Jared Ellner, took 40 hours to paint and four days to dry. “It really embodied the ‘Fashion Is Art’ Met Ball theme without feeling like a costume,” says stylist Tracy Shapoff (Molly Parker, Bill Maher). “The gorgeous hand-painting texture on the dress felt as though they’d painted a one-of-a-kind piece directly onto her body. I really felt like I was looking at a piece of artwork.”
Styled by Wayman + Micah, last Oscar season’s breakout Infiniti radiated in custom Thom Browne at the May 4 Met Gala. Made of 1.5 million hand-embroidered sequins and over 600 shades of silk fringe, the gown was inspired by the Greek sculpture of Venus de Milo. “There’s something surreal about it,” says stylist Avigail Collins (part of a team with husband Damian; they work with Elizabeth Olsen and St. Vincent). “Like wearable art, almost sculptural, the way the sequins, beading, intricate embroidery, craftsmanship and embellishments create an abstract silhouette, pushing the boundaries of fashion.”
Also wearing custom Thom Browne and also styled by Wayman + Micah, another of last awards season’s standouts, Taylor, grabbed fashion mindshare at the Actor Awards on March 1. The surrealist molded gown in gray and off-white was meant to evoke an abstract painting of a naked woman’s body, with ribbons dripping down the back. The “naked” anatomical bodice was made from over 160 pattern pieces put together via intarsia and tonal shading to mimic carved musculature; the gray tulle mermaid skirt was embellished with over 400,000 sequins in gold and white gold.
In a ruby-beaded, liquid-looking Chanel confection, Kidman, styled by Jason Bolden, turned heads at the Met Gala on May 4. Chanel’s Matthieu Blazy created the dropped-waist silhouette, with feathers at the hips and cuffs, a long dramatic train and surprising long sleeves. “What I loved most about that gown,” offers stylist James Yardley (Connor Storrie, Hannah Waddingham), “was its simplicity. Immaculate fit, and the placement of the feathers had such an impact. The cherry on top: the spinel and lapis lazuli ring, also from Chanel.”
Wearing this Miu Miu crystal corseted gown at the Oct. 1 Sydney premiere of Sense and Sensibility, Edgar-Jones, as styled by Dani Michelle, perfectly referenced Jane Austen’s era, with delicate ribbons as shoulder straps. “This strikes all the right notes,” declares stylist Ariel Tunnell (Rachel Bloom, Stephanie Beatriz). “The color, the sheer elements, the tones against her skin — so flattering. Add in the historical dressing of corsets and lacing, and it comes together in the coolest and most gorgeous way.”
Modelling custom Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello at the Sept. 27 MTV Video Music Awards and styled by Chris Horan, the music provocateur reminded that the midriff is an erogenous zone. Goth and glam at the same time, Charli embodied a modern Morticia Addams. “I can’t think of anyone who knows who they are better than Charli XCX,” stylist Michael Fisher tells THR (Ethan Hawke, Jon Hamm, Jake Gyllenhaal). “Every time I see her on a carpet, she’s perfectly herself and looks effortlessly cool.”
Styled by Jahleel Weaver, she wore a custom metallic architectural creation by Maison Margiela artistic director Glenn Martens for the May 4 Met Gala. Inspired by the medieval buildings of the Flanders region of Belgium, it was sewn from duchess silk, recycled metal threads and 115,000 crystal beads alongside antique jewels and chains. The label’s Paris atelier spent 1,380 hours of handwork on what Rihanna described as “looking like a pearl emerging from an oxidized oyster shell,” a reference to her home country of Barbados.
The Schiaparelli couture lace gown worn by the model multihyphenate and styled by Mimi Cuttrell for the Cannes Film Festival was an homage to Jane Birkin. It required 130 artisans to create. Stylist Molly Dickson (Sydney Sweeney, Kaia Gerber) offers: “Everything Daniel Roseberry does at Schiaparelli is incredible. This dress balances delicate proportions and contrast perfectly. The crochet is intricate; the V of the neck is the perfect line. And let’s not forget the back! It has a black ribbon corset lacing up to the neck, providing the tiniest bit of edge.”
Only badass Theron, as styled by Leslie Fremar, could sex up this suit from Dior men’s fall 2026 collection, which she wore to the April 22 NYC premiere of Apex. “This look stood out to me,” says stylist Lee Harris (Helen Mirren, Drew Barrymore), “because in this red carpet world in which so many try to go over the top for attention, this was razor sharp and clean, with just one powerful accessory. She wore the look — the look didn’t wear her.”
In Celine at a Good Morning America appearance in February promoting Love Story, Kelly wowed stylists and fashion luminaries of all genders. Styled by Warren Alfie Baker, the combo of jacket, rep tie and jeans hearkened back to his character, JFK Jr. “I love when well-worn denim makes its way into celeb dressing because it’s always unexpected,” says stylist Erica Cloud (Robert Downey Jr., Mia Goth). “The homage to JFK Jr. in the ’90s was a great intro to Paul’s fashion presence. The little Celine details — minimal loafers, squared-off tie — were icing on the cake.”
Swinton’s striking Chanel couture cocoon silhouette, complete with vertical pleating and a soft, body-conscious drape, was styled by Jerry Stafford for Cannes. Notes stylist Sarah Slutsky Tooley (Maya Hawke, Emma Watson, Elizabeth Olsen): “I’ve looked to Tilda as a style icon since I began in fashion. This look has unexpected proportions, matching tomato red with white kitten heels. It’s so thoughtful, though so easy. She looks so cool, completely refreshing and unexpected. Fashion is so natural to her DNA.”
At the Jan. 28 L.A. Wuthering Heights premiere, Elordi drew admiration as a very tall, masculine figure in a Chanel cropped jacket, all styled by Wendi and Nicole Ferreira. “This Chanel look masters understated luxury with a relaxed, modern twist,” notes stylist Chris Brown (David Beckham, Luke Evans, Leo Woodall). “The oversized blazer, soft knitwear and cream trousers create an elegant tonal palette, while the loose fit keeps things effortlessly modern. It’s a lesson in quiet confidence.”
In Erdem at the MTV Video Music Video Awards, Sivan sported tuxedo suiting with sharp shoulders and a stiff, upturned collar, but from the waist down was adorned with ostrich feathers and satin and tulle trim. Styled by Marc Forne, this look was adapted from an Erdem dress in the spring/summer 2027 collection that was inspired by 1920s American aerialist Barbette, who performed in drag. Erdem used that as a jumping-off point to play with masculine and feminine tropes, combining strict tailoring and dramatic stage costume.
In a custom pink, plush velvet double-breasted suit with flared pants by Louis Vuitton, Pharrell cut an appropriately high-fashion figure at the Feb. 1 Grammys. Styled by Matthew Henson, the Vuitton men’s creative director also made matching suits for Clipse — the hip-hop duo also known as Malice and Pusha T, who were named by Pharrell himself — for their Grammy-night reunion. Pharrell also donned two Jacob & Co. Georgian-style yellow and white diamond riviera necklaces and diamond stud earrings.
In an intricate Saint Laurent black-lace ballgown at the Met Gala, Hollywood’s perennial cool girl was in top form, as styled by Danielle Goldberg. “The silhouette creates a striking contrast between sleek sensuality and vintage drama,” comments stylist Brown. “It’s a look that feels mysterious, tactile and unapologetically individual, with Saint Laurent’s signature rock ’n’ roll attitude running throughout.” Kravitz’s Met Ball date was not her fiancé, Harry Styles, but one of her most-worn designers, Saint Laurent creative director Anthony Vaccarello.
In 36-year-old Turkish fashion designer Dilara Findikoglu at the Met Gala, Ortega played up her Goth character Wednesday Addams with a full-on peekaboo look, styled by Enrique Melendez. “I love that the chest is covered and the cutouts are on the sides of this gown,” says Dickson. “It’s like a reverse of the expected, creating an interesting moment on the carpet.”
Pairing a vintage John Galliano brocade feather-cuffed coat with a micro-mini and red tights for the Feb. 5 London premiere of Wuthering Heights, Robbie caught lightning. Styled by Andrew Mukamal, the head-to-toe look is a brilliant study in dissonance, pairing modern and Gothic. “What we loved about this look,” says stylist Avigail Collins, “was the contrast between the romance of the 1992 archival Galliano coat and the sexiness of the black mini, red stockings and that clashing pink ribbon. An unexpected combination that works beautifully.”
Styled by Nick Royal and Peri Rosenzweig of Hardstyle, the original little monster wore a black feathered gown with a train by Matières Fécales to the Grammys. “The cut sold me,” says stylist Nico Amarca (Atticus Ross, Chase Hudson). “Feathers go straight up the neck, lock around her jaw like armor, a hard look. Gaga’s biggest looks hav…
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