On Nov. 3, a roomful of Hollywood’s top stylists gathered at the Hotel Bel‑Air to celebrate wardrobes as creative statements, not just red‑carpet decoration. The evening coincided with The Hollywood Reporter’s new peer‑voted list of the “Top 26 Looks of 2026,” a stylist‑driven ranking that offers a rare window into the industry’s current tastes—and what viewers can expect this awards season.
Why this matters now
The list, assembled from ballots submitted by more than 50 working stylists and unveiled the same night, functions as a fast read on what’s trending for celebrity appearances, retail demand and runway echoes. For anyone tracking fashion direction—designers, magazines, shoppers or awards‑season watchers—these choices signal which silhouettes, colors and accessories are gaining momentum.
The party was hosted by Amina Ghali, creative director of Azza Fahmy, the Cairo‑born jeweler known for artisan pieces. Guests included leading stylists who dress the names you read about in entertainment pages: Wayman Bannerman and Micah McDonald (often credited as Wayman & Micah), Jessica Paster, Mimi Cuttrell, Tara Swennen, Erica Cloud and others. Conversation circled jewelry cases, couture memories and the practical work of dressing clients for premieres and campaigns.
At the event
Tables displayed Azza Fahmy’s handcrafted necklaces, rings and cuffs, and those pieces provided a tactile reminder of how jewelry can reframe an outfit. Background music from a harpist softened the room while stylists compared notes over light bites and champagne—mixing professional talk with the kind of insider gossip that drives creative collaborations.
THR’s editor‑in‑chief greeted attendees and pointed to the gallery of the 26 looks as evidence of a shared aesthetic among peers. Several stylists used the evening to champion their clients’ recent appearances and to describe the creative impulses shaping their work this season.
Key trends stylists say are shaping the moment
| Trend | What it means | Example from the year |
|---|---|---|
| Statement jewelry | Big, sculptural pieces are being used to punctuate looks and anchor red‑carpet ensembles. | Handmade, heirloom‑style necklaces spotted on the THR list |
| Opulence and color | Designers and stylists are favoring bold hues and embroidered detail over muted palettes. | A vivid hot‑pink gown at a major awards event |
| Mixing vintage with runway | Pairing family pieces or vintage finds with contemporary couture keeps looks personal. | Vintage Prada outerwear layered with modern eveningwear |
| Fluid, tailored menswear | Men are embracing bolder shapes and refined tailoring rather than streetwear‑inspired casualness. | Structured, attention‑grabbing red‑carpet suiting |
| Dramatic silhouettes | Exaggerated shapes—collars, sleeves, or skirts—are being favored for photographic impact. | Historic‑inspired gowns and angular profiles cited on the THR list |
Stylists at the gathering described how these tendencies play out in their daily work. Several said they’re intentionally combining unexpected elements—an heirloom brooch with a runway dress, a tailored masculine cut softened with vibrant color—to create looks that read well on camera and feel personal to the wearer.
Voices from the room
Mimi Cuttrell, who has styled high‑profile red‑carpet moments for supermodels and stars, reflected on the thrill of sourcing: the hunt for singular pieces and the satisfaction of assembling a one‑night outfit that feels unique. Another veteran said the current mood is “more is more,” pointing to richer textures and denser embellishment than in recent seasons.
Men’s styling also emerged as a talking point. One stylist noted a clear move toward fearless, well‑crafted tailoring—less streetwear and more considered silhouette—suggesting red carpets will show a broader range of masculine expression going forward.
What the stylist‑voted list adds
- The ranking is notable because it’s created by insiders—people who build looks for a living—rather than critics or public polling.
- It highlights consensus moments, where many professionals independently landed on the same memorable images.
- For industry watchers, the list functions as both a historical record and a predictor of future bookings and retail trends.
Among attendees, Jessica Paster appeared with actress Maria Bakalova; both wore neutral tailoring that underscored another point stylists made: refined neutrals remain a reliable counterpoint to the season’s louder statements. Bakalova also hinted at an active slate of upcoming projects, a reminder that stylists’ work intersects closely with a stream of film and TV releases that drive public visibility.
Beyond glamour, the night underscored a practical reality: stylists shape narratives. Their choices—what to emphasize, what to mix, what to hide—help define how stars and projects are perceived. The peer‑voted THR list simply makes that influence visible, offering a timely snapshot of where red‑carpet fashion is headed and what audiences might expect to see in the months ahead.
