Emmys 2026: The best celebrity red carpet looks | Canada Voices

The 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards launched awards season with a stacked red carpet and the promise of history-making moments. Mariska Hargitay, best known for playing Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, the longest-running prime-time live-action character of all time, hosted the broadcast. She is the first woman to host the ceremony in 15 years, since Jane Lynch had the honour in 2011.

For its part, the red carpet benefitted from the full force of Zendaya in custom silver sequined Prada, Colman Domingo in colourful Valentino and Ayo Edebiri in a voluminous, bright blue confection. The bright, optimistic choices, echoed by Sarah Pidgeon and Florence Pugh, both in eye-catching lavender, were an antidote to the paranoia and darkness depicted in many this year’s nominated shows including Pluribus, The Pitt, Widow’s Bay and DTF St. Louis.

Here are twelve looks that stood out.

Zendaya

As soon as the fashion world learned of Zendaya’s Emmy nomination for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for her work in the final season of Euphoria, buzz began to grow around what the actor and her celebrated collaborator, stylist Law Roach, might come up with for her red carpet moment. Unsurprisingly, the pair delivered. Zendaya wore a beaded custom Prada gown accessorized with Mikimoto jewellery, a Rolex watch and a fresh pixie cut.

Colman Domingo

Colman Domingo is one of the few men who dare to push well past the envelope on the red carpet. The actor, who is a double nominee for his work on The Four Seasons and Euphoria, did not disappoint. His colourful Alessandro Michele-designed custom Valentino ensemble featured a jewel-toned modified cummerbund held in place with a weighty Boucheron brooch. A red carpet photographer could be heard exclaiming, “Holy moly, always comes correct.” We couldn’t agree more.

Ayo Edebiri

Last fall, Ayo Edebiri became Chanel’s first brand ambassador under designer Matthieu Blazy. Edebiri, who is nominated tonight for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for her work on The Bear, wore Chanel to the TIFF premiere of her film Clarissa just a few days ago. Tonight, the actor chose Chanel once again, this time a periwinkle blue tea-length confection with an outsized red bow.

Elle Fanning

Elle Fanning, nominated for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for Margo’s Got Money Troubles, can always be counted on for memorable red carpet moments, and tonight was no exception. The actor opted for an understated but no less impactful gown from Ralph Lauren. The jade green slip dress with an asymmetrical fringed train and and low back exuded effortless glamour.

Mariska Hargitay

The night’s host already won two Emmy awards this year for her documentary film, My Mom Jayne, an homage to her mother, iconic Hollywood actor Jayne Mansfield. Hargitay accepted the honours last weekend in a draped red Elie Saab dress from the label’s 2026 resort collection. Tonight, she stunned in another striking red gown: A custom off-the-shoulder, liquid sequin dress by Monse. The look set the bar – and the stage – for television’s biggest night.

Adam Brody

Adam Brody, who plays a hot Rabbi on Netflix’s Nobody Wants This, arrived on the red carpet in an easy, deep navy, double-breasted Prada suit. The elegant look played with modern elements such as a floral silk knot at the collar, giving a nod – and perhaps a send-off – to the traditional bowtie.

Selena Gomez

While Selena Gomez is accustomed to receiving accolades for her work in front of the camera, tonight she celebrated her role as executive producer of Only Murderers in the Building, which received a nomination for outstanding comedy series for the fifth year in a row. The beauty mogul arrived on the red carpet in a stunning gold chainmail Louis Vuitton dress that did everything a red carpet dress should do. The actor accessorized it with Tiffany & Co. jewels but exercised impressive restraint in leaving her neck bare.

Chase Infiniti

Chase Infiniti just premiered her new film, The Julia Set, at TIFF in a short and bright Louis Vuitton confection. Tonight the actor, nominated for her portrayal of Agnes in The Handmaid’s Tale sequel series The Testaments, told a different story in a custom beaded dress by the same label. The strapless copper mermaid dress brought a degree of seriousness to the star’s Emmy red carpet debut.

Sarah Pidgeon

Sarah Pidgeon was handed the near-impossible task of embodying the style and spirit of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in the FX series Love Story. With tonight’s nomination for outstanding lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie, the star seems to have triumphed. Her beautifully beaded, low-back, custom lilac Chanel gown is a nod to the understated looks worn by the nineties icon and the era’s ubiquitous slip dresses.

Keri Russell

Keri Russell, a nominee for her work on The Diplomat, arrived on the red carpet with husband Matthew Rhys, who won for his roles in the sleeper hit Widow’s Bay and Netflix’s The Beast in Me. Russell delivered a dramatic red carpet moment in a custom backless leather dress from Khaite. It was a bold counterpoint to the more traditional gowns that dominated the red carpet.

Rhea Seehorn

Rhea Seehorn, outstanding lead actress in a drama series winner for her portrayal of Carol Sturka in Apple TV’s Pluribus, delivered a bright, bold, optimistic statement in a custom draped Louis Vuitton dress accented with Swarovski jewellery.

Florence Pugh

Florence Pugh, one of the night’s presenters, made her Emmy awards debut just a few weeks before the premiere of her latest project, the Netflix adaptation of John Steinbeck’s novel East of Eden. Pugh will play the book’s complicated antagonist, Cathy Ames, but tonight she kept things light in a custom strapless Vivienne Westwood gown with voluminous off-the-shoulder draping. The Bulgari Global Ambassador wore a piece by the jeweller to complete the winning look.