
Ariana Grande continues to embrace Glinda, the pink hallmark of her Wicked persona, this time in a bespoke cape gown by Alberta Ferretti. Savion Washington/WireImage/Getty Images
As mentioned by CNN
Only four days into 2026, the awards season in Hollywood began anew – the 31st Critics Choice Awards took place Sunday evening in a more restrained style than usual. The event serves as a benchmark for expected Oscar trends, as the industry closely watches how potential nominees present themselves in the critics’ lists. The ceremony also provides insight into fashion trends that may define style from January to mid-March.
Organizers favored a dark palette and restrained choices: the entrance to Barker Hangar in Santa Monica was decorated with a black carpet, creating a sense of ceremony, yet a moderated atmosphere. At the same time, the red carpet was lit up by various, individual looks, which added a light mood and a touch of playfulness to the event’s style.
Below are 13 key looks from the Critics Choice Awards that drew attention through a combination of style, designs, and designer choices.
13 bold looks on the Critics Choice Awards red carpet
- Audrey Nuna – a voluminous gown by Marc Jacobs, creating a striking monolithic silhouette in a monochrome rendition.
- The K-Pop Demon Hunters voice cast demonstrated a bold approach to monochrome – looks with a hint of adventure, with a focus on Audrey Nuna in her voluminous Marc Jacobs gown.
- Teyana Taylor – a tuxedo with crisp lines that emphasizes the simplicity of the look.
- Keri Russell – a reworked tuxedo with a cropped jacket and a striking brooch, adding character to the look.
- Ethan Hawke – a double-breasted suit by Bode with white embroidered accents, lending the look a cozy, homey feel.
- Odessa A’zion – an OTT dress from Dubai, exuding glamour and regal charm.
- Chase Infiniti – a double-breasted Louis Vuitton ensemble in an oil-yellow shade without sleeves, which loudly contrasts with the dark carpet.
- Elle Fanning – a sparkling vintage Ralph Lauren gown that nods to the era of glamorous classics.
- Ariana Grande – a custom Alberta Ferretti gown; the look was crafted by Law Roach and includes a nod to Diahann Carroll.
- Law Roach – a stylistic contribution to Grande’s look, which became a talked-about highlight of the night thanks to a retro-inspired approach to Alberta Ferretti.
- Megan Stalter – an orange look inspired by the coordination of orange outfits from the Marty Supreme premiere, worn by Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner.
- Paul W. Downs – an orange look that mirrored Megan’s, underscoring the friendly and vibrant vibe of red-carpet appearances.
- The overall trend of the night – a dominance of dark shades in suits and dresses with elegant details, as well as the use of embroidery and minimalist accents that emphasize the event’s restrained elegance.
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