The Oscars red carpet has long been predictable — a sea of classic silhouettes and safe color choices designed to please the mass audience and the Academy alike. Yet, every so often, a bold couture moment shakes things up and reminds us why fashion still matters. Rihanna’s Alaïa leather, maternity look was unapologetically daring, while Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, both at the peak of their method dressing, channeled pure fantasy with structured Louis Vuitton and Schiaparelli gowns, respectively. These moments prove that even in a traditionally restrained space, risk and personality can resonate.
For this year’s Oscars‘ fantasy fashion, I’m selecting the runway looks fresh from the fall 2026 ready-to-wear collections as well as standout couture gowns shown just a few weeks prior, and predicting what the female nominees will wear for their big red carpet moment. I’m betting and hoping for another Schiaparelli moment, this time from the newly crowned fashion queen Teyana Taylor. She attended the Schiaparelli couture show in January, and when backstage raved about Daniel Roseberry’s fantastical creations. Though this week, she was spotted at Chanel so perhaps she goes head-to-toe Chanel instead.
Rose Byrne has been on fire this awards season, looking flawless in Chanel from one event to the next, and attended the New York show this past December, making a red carpet statement wearing the French label almost inevitable.
Emma Stone might play the 2016 Instagram game with a vintage Louis Vuitton Nicolas Ghesquière gown, nodding to the early years of LV while doubling down on the ’90s energy she’s been exploring in her recent outings.
Kate Hudson, a longtime Valentino lover, could bring old Hollywood romance to life in a silver-screen-siren-inspired look from Alessandro Michele’s past Valentino couture collection.
Elle Fanning has surprised before with black velvet sculptural pieces, making a Givenchy by Sarah Burton moment a perfect fit, though she could also stay in her comfort zone with an ultra-chic Elie Saab couture look, radiating timeless glamour.
Jessie Buckley, unstoppable this awards season from Chanel and Balenciaga to Dior, might choose a Jonathan Anderson Dior couture debut dress, evoking a modern Greek goddess, or a sleek sculptural Balenciaga by Pierpaolo Piccioli from his recent, architecturally dramatic ready-to-wear collection.
