As Hollywood’s elite converge for the Oscars this Sunday, the red carpet will transform into a stage where A-list celebrities shine. For many, this is the ultimate moment in the spotlight, with some securing a win in fashion, even if they leave the event without an Academy Award in hand.

This year’s Oscars red carpet represents the grand finale of award season, a last opportunity for nominees to captivate the world with their style. While some celebrities adhere to the classic red-carpet dress codes, opting for timeless tuxedos and elegant evening gowns, others bring their unique flair to black-tie fashion, injecting fresh energy into the event.

Among the stylish contenders for an Academy Award, Teyana Taylor, Timothée Chalamet, and Emma Stone stand out. Known for their daring fashion choices, these stars are set to bring an exciting twist to the red carpet.

Timothée Chalamet, in particular, has made waves in past ceremonies. At the 2025 Oscars, his choice of a butter yellow leather suit by Givenchy, designed by Sarah Burton, became a memorable fashion moment.

For Teyana Taylor, the journey to the Oscars has been a series of striking fashion statements. Nominated for best supporting actress, Taylor has consistently turned heads. At the Golden Globes, she captivated audiences with a custom Schiaparelli gown, featuring a jeweled bow whale tail on its draped black fabric. Her appearance at the Actor Awards was equally remarkable, as she donned a Thom Browne dress with a bodice resembling a painted female form.

The Oscars hold the power to elevate an actor’s career to unprecedented heights, making the red carpet not just a display of glamour but a pivotal moment in their professional journey.

With that magnitude in mind, some actors choose to play it safe on the carpet, arriving in old Hollywood Glamour instead of edgy or dramatic looks, leaving the more risque looks for the after parties.

The luxury fashion houses from Armani, Dior, Valentino, Prada to Chanel dominate the Oscars red carpet each year. Rarely will celebrities wear an independent designer on the carpet as many of these household names are under contracts as brand ambassadors with these major brands.

Frankenstein actor Mia Goth, for instance, was named a brand ambassador by Dior last year and wore a black Dior gown to Golden Globes.

Oscar attendees sometimes make more than fashion statements. Actors have made political statements as well with “ICE OUT” or “BE GOOD” pins have made an appearance at several red carpets this award season in response to the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. Other stars have shown their support by wearing red pins to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. As the Iran war rages on, the carpet could see more celebrities using their moment to address the latest global turmoil.

The Oscars ceremony will kick off at 7 p.m. Eastern/4 p.m. Pacific at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles with the red carpet opening around 3:30 p.m. EST.

___

For more coverage of the 2026 Oscars, visit https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards.