Glitter, Gaffes & Glamour: Hollywood's Best Dressed at the Academy Museum Gala
GALORE OF GLITTERING GOWNS AT THE ACADEMY MUSEUM GALA, BUT WHO NAILED IT AND WHO FAILED?
Last night's highly anticipated 5th Annual Academy Museum Gala at the Ted Mann Theatre in LA was a star-studded affair that saw some of Hollywood's biggest names don their most dazzling ensembles. While many of the A-listers turned up in style, there were a few notable fashion misses that left us scratching our heads.
Among the bold and striking looks was none other than Kim Kardashian West, who opted for a flesh-toned mask that covered her entire head, leaving us wondering if she had stumbled upon a Halloween costume at 11th hour. The SKIMS founder paired the bizarre getup with a tan-colored gown featuring a corset bodice that showcased her toned figure. But despite its striking appearance, the look was met with confusion and raised eyebrows from fans and photographers alike.
Not to be outdone in the strange department was Elle Fanning, who wore a Balenciaga ensemble adorned with a bright red feathered skirt that seemed to have been plucked straight from a bird's nest. The bizarre look was made even more peculiar when she turned to the side, revealing that the feathers were only attached to the front of the garment.
Naomi Watts took a different approach, opting for a light blue dress with simple black heels, but her attempt at elegance was somewhat undone by the addition of feathered accents that seemed to have been slapped on as an afterthought. The result was a look that was both beautiful and confusing – like a perfectly crafted puzzle piece that didn't quite fit.
Meanwhile, Cara Delevingne dazzled in a glitzy silver gown with ruffled blue details that connected at the back of the garment. However, her attempt at glamour was slightly marred by the awkward placement of the ruffles on her neck, which seemed to be more of a hindrance than a help.
Michelle Monaghan's voluminous Carolina Herrera number was straight out of a designer's Spring/Summer 2026 ready-to-wear collection, but it overwhelmed the actress completely. The huge dress featured an empire waistline with puffed sleeves and a full skirt covered in 3D flowers – a look that would have been stunning on anyone else, but unfortunately made Monaghan appear lost in the sea of fabric.
But not everyone failed to impress at this year's gala. Da'Vine Joy Randolph, usually known for her high glamour and elegance, missed the mark with an all-white ensemble that featured an awkwardly placed voluminous tulle ruffle around her waist. The result was a frumpy look that seemed out of place among the other more daring ensembles.
Jenna Ortega's bold choice of outfit was met with disappointment from fans, who had expected something truly goth-inspired from the star of Netflix hit series Wednesday. Instead, she opted for a sculpted metal plate top that followed the contours of her figure, paired with a shiny brown column skirt that seemed to be an afterthought.
Zoe Kravitz's dramatic Saint Laurent number was completely overwhelmed by layers and layers of ruffles across its bodice and skirt – not to mention the huge puff sleeves that completely covered her arms. The actress looked lost in a sea of fabric, like a butterfly struggling to escape from a cocoon.
Kristen Wiig's polished Chanel outfit appeared loose and sexy on the runway, but when she stepped onto the red carpet, it was clear that the design had not translated as well. Her white polo neck-style top with long, loose sleeves seemed out of place among the more daring ensembles, while her bold red tiered rah-rah skirt with a white waist panel and belt looked more suited to an office meeting than a glamorous gala.
A sheer dress can often be a bold and sultry look for a red carpet event, but Mikey Madison's Dior choice fell flat. The grey full-length lace gown featured embroidery details, puff sleeves, and a ruffle hemline on the skirt – all of which seemed to be at odds with one another. And let's not forget the awkwardly tied thin grey-silver ribbon that added a touch of confusion to an already perplexing look.
On the other hand, Charli XCX led the pack with her stunning black lace and leather gown featuring a daring neckline and drop waist. However, her bold choice was slightly marred by the heavy feel of her thick black leather skirt, which seemed to overwhelm its overall impression.
Rebecca Hall's paint-effect corset dress was a bold statement that left little to the imagination – but it wasn't quite the right fit for this particular event. Meanwhile, Olivia Wilde's simple Saint Laurent maxi dress in sleek black looked stunning on the relatively low-key star – although some might say it was too understated for the glamourous gala.
As one would expect from a high-profile event like the Academy Museum Gala, there were plenty of A-listers in attendance. Ed Sheeran, Jude Law, Eddie Redmayne, and Orlando Bloom all made an appearance, while the co-chairs included none other than Jon M. Chu, Viola Davis, Robert Downey Jr., and Jennifer Hudson.
In a statement ahead of the ceremony, Academy Museum director and president Amy Homma said: "The Academy Museum gala is a special evening dedicated to bringing together individuals to champion the celebration, advancement, and preservation of cinema." The event raises money for the museum's exhibitions and education programmes – including this year's honorees Penelope Cruz, Walter Salles, Bruce Springsteen, and Bowen Yang.
With its stellar lineup and stunning ensembles, last night's Academy Museum Gala was a true spectacle. While some attendees may have failed to impress, others truly nailed it in their fashion choices.
