Awards season is officially back, and if the 2026 Emmy Awards red carpet told us anything, it’s that Black Hollywood came ready to dress. There wasn’t one big trend controlling the evening, and that was probably for the best. Instead, the carpet became a mix of feathers, corsetry, exaggerated proportions, romantic gowns and menswear that moved well beyond the standard black tux. It felt less like everyone was working from the same mood board and more like celebrities were dressing for themselves again.
The women gave us plenty to talk about. Sheryl Lee Ralph traded the expected solid-color gown for a strapless, body-skimming dress covered in an abstract mix of white, green, blush and earthy tones. Niecy Nash-Betts went full Hollywood glamour in a fiery red strapless mermaid gown with a dramatic train, while another standout arrived in a white feathered mini with a plunging neckline and an even more dramatic feathered train. It was playful, sexy and exactly the kind of fashion moment an awards show needs.
Black and white also had a strong night. One of the carpet’s more interesting gowns paired a plunging black bodice with an oversized high-low skirt revealing a crisp white interior, turning a classic color combination into something far more architectural. Elsewhere, an ivory square-neck ball gown proved that a clean silhouette can still hold its own against all the embellishment. A lavender corseted gown layered with tiers of lace brought a softer kind of romance to the carpet without feeling overly precious.
The men weren’t playing it safe either. Traditional suiting was stretched, layered and reworked, from an elongated black patterned suit worn with a bare chest to a sharply constructed black-and-white ensemble that played with the proportions of a tuxedo.
What worked about this year’s Emmys carpet was the range. Nobody needed to look like the person standing next to them. Black Hollywood gave us glamour, experimentation and a little bit of fun, which is exactly what a red carpet should be.
