Celebrity looks that break the norm at the CFDA Awards 2026

Unconventional fabrics and details made their presence felt at the 2026 Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Awards, held at the American Natural History Museum in New York City. The looks varied between designs that reintroduced denim in an evening style, and others that adopted golden colors and archival pieces, in choices that moved away from traditional red carpet fashion.

American actress Demi Moore chose a special design from the American brand "Gap Studio", signed by designer Zac Posen, through which he reintroduced the fabric in a way different from its usual use. The dress came with details inspired by the belts of jeans, stacked on top of each other to form a corset-like upper part, with a halter neck, a long low-waisted skirt, and a side slit that extended to the bottom.

Moore wasn't the only one who chose denim for the occasion; The Kenyan-Mexican actress Lupita Nyong'o appeared in a design from the same brand, combining a short red top, short sleeves, and a long straight denim skirt, with a denim jacket associated with everyday clothes that added to the look. For his part, the American singer Chabuzi chose a cream-colored jacket from the American brand "Ralph Lauren", which he coordinated with a white shirt and jeans.

He added to the "look" a cowboy-style belt and necklace, with turquoise details, in a coordination that combined the Western-inspired American character with everyday clothing. Stars in Anthony Vaccarello's golden designs The designer Anthony Vaccarello, creative director of the French Saint Laurent house, appeared in more than one appearance on the red carpet, after a group of stars chose designs bearing his signature, including American fashion model Hailey Bieber, American actress and director Zoe Kravitz, Polish model Anja Rubik, and South Korean and New Zealand singer Rosé, a member of the Black Pink musical group.

The looks came in golden shades and shiny details, with a variety of cuts and materials, in conjunction with Vaccarello being honored with the International Designer Award this year. Bieber chose a two-piece suit that at first glance looked like a dress, as she combined a woven top with brocade details and sleeves ending with faux fur edges, and a medium-length skirt decorated with baroque embroideries, with a belt at the waist.

Pamela Anderson evokes the classic Hollywood atmosphere. On the other hand, American actress Pamela Anderson evoked the classic Hollywood atmosphere with a black halter dress, featuring feather details at the neckline. She coordinated her look with black shoes with the same details, and a white satin bag decorated with black dots.

Aesthetically, she chose a blond hairstyle with thick waves and pink lipstick, a departure from her usual looks in which she often appears with or without light makeup. A 51-year-old dress from the fashion archives. As for the presenter of the ceremony, the American artist Keke Palmer, she chose a golden dress signed by the late designer Bob Mackie, which the late actress Raquel Welch had previously worn during her appearance on The Cher Show in 1975.

Palmer thus re-shed light on an archival design associated with a prominent phase in the history of television show fashion, recalling its details on the red carpet after more than five decades.