Zendaya, Colman Domingo and Michelle Pfeiffer Among the Best-Dressed Stars at Emmys 2026

The 2026 Emmys red carpet had its own distinct personality. With television and streaming constantly introducing fresh faces, there is a freshness and unpredictability to the dressing that you don't always get on Hollywood's bigger red carpets. This year, that energy translated into clear trends: metallics, power red, and a sense of celebrities having fun with fashion again.

Zendaya in Custom Prada

She was among the night's most anticipated arrivals, and though she arrived not long before the broadcast began, Zendaya was worth the wait. The Euphoria star stunned in a custom Prada gown fully embellished with crystals and beads, featuring a deep-V neckline, a sheer tulle underlayer, and a delicate train that added just enough drama to turn the look from glamorous to cinematic.

The gown was designed to catch the light—and plenty of it. As she moved, the embellishments shifted with her, creating a liquid-like shimmer that made the dress feel almost kinetic.

But it was the hair that arguably changed the entire conversation. Her pixie cut, styled by Coree Moreno, marked her first official red-carpet appearance with the shorter silhouette. Sleek around the edges with softly textured, piecey layers through the crown, it had the precision of a classic crop with just enough undone attitude to feel thoroughly modern. The inspiration, according to reports, came from Halle Berry.

Stylist Law Roach mentioned that the gown also inspired an additional trim on Zendaya's headline-making pixie cut. She completed her look with Mikimoto pearl earrings from the Petals Collection, featuring 12mm White South Sea cultured pearls framed by 4.40 carats of diamonds, along with coordinating rings and a diamond and Akoya pearl bracelet. A Rolex watch added another layer of polished glamour.

"I loved the idea of taking something as timeless as Mikimoto pearls and making them feel fresh, modern and young," Roach said. "There's an elegance to pearls that will always be classic, but the way Zendaya wears them tonight feels completely of the moment."

Colman Domingo in Custom Valentino

Colman Domingo loves the artful-meets-whimsical style of Valentino creative director Alessandro Michele, who created a colorful look partly as an homage to the actor's current series, Netflix's The Four Seasons.

The look paired a camel-toned Mandarin-collar jacket with cream trousers, a deep berry sash and a small green accent at the waist. "I wanted to thematically represent four seasons," said Domingo, who was nominated for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series. The ensemble featured pops of clashing pinks—almost neon under the collar, and a regal fuchsia at the waist.

Domingo finished the look with jewels by Boucheron, including a brooch at his waist crafted of green tourmalines, diamonds, and green lacquer.

Michelle Pfeiffer in Saint Laurent

Michelle Pfeiffer exuded chic elegance in a beautifully draped V-neck silk gown by Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello. The style featured a plunging V neckline and an oversized jeweled accent, gathering the fabric to highlight the star's shape. She completed the look with chunky bronze bangles and simple, undone waves.

The Margo's Got Money Troubles producer finished the look with Saint Laurent jewels, including a sunburst brooch at the gathered waist, and a satin clutch also by the French house.

The Red Trend and Other Standouts

Red was one of the night's major players. Mariska Hargitay's fabulous red sequin Monse moment and Chase Infiniti in beaded red Louis Vuitton were among the standout looks in the bold color. Niecy Nash-Betts was "delightfully va-va voom" in a peaked-strapless gown from Beirut-based couture house Khaled & Marwan, finished with Leviev jewels.

Metallics were another big story. Selena Gomez's glittering chainmail Louis Vuitton gown presented a refined use of golden metallics. Chase Infiniti's Louis Vuitton gown took a familiar silhouette into sculptural territory, with dimensional bubbles and a metallic bronze finish that felt particularly right for fall.

Among the men, Dan Levy stood out in a Celine suit with a double-breasted Colonne jacket in mohair wool. His black rose brooch was intended as part of his tribute to his late Schitt's Creek co-star, Catherine O'Hara. Sterling K. Brown made a case for the power of a really good suit in a saturated blue look with "beautiful liquid sheen." Martin Short and Steve Martin offered a reminder that sometimes the most effective red carpet move is simply getting the classics exactly right—both in impeccably executed black tie.