Emmys Red Carpet Fashion
Stars Arrive in Custom Couture and Bold Looks at the 2026 Emmy Awards
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Key Points
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“Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette” was created by Connor Hines and executive produced by Ryan Murphy. The nine-episode series follows the couple’s romance through the 1999 plane crash near Martha’s Vineyard that killed them and Carolyn’s sister, Lauren.
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The series had surpassed 65 million hours viewed globally by its April finale, with about 40% of its audience coming from outside the United States.
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The Pitt led the Emmy nominations with 25, followed by Hacks with 24, Widow’s Bay with 19, Pluribus with 18 and Beef with 16.
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Mariska Hargitay was set to host the ceremony, returning to the Emmys two decades after winning her own award.
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Earlier Emmy fashion moments cited as especially daring included Halle Berry’s sheer, plunging lavender wrap dress at the 2000 ceremony and Jenna Ortega’s jewel-covered Givenchy look at the 2025 Emmys.
Stars brought bold fashion and custom couture to the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards on September 14 at Los Angeles's Peacock Theater. Town & Country reported that cast members from *Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette*, the FX limited series that earned seven Emmy nominations, drew particular attention with their red-carpet looks. The event featured a custom peacock-blue carpet—replacing the traditional red—to mark NBC's 100th anniversary.
Constance Zimmer, nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress, wore a striking black sequin column dress with diamond jewelry. Just Jared noted that Zendaya dazzled in a custom Prada gown with intricate crystal embellishments and a plunging neckline. Other standout looks included Nicole Kidman in an elegant cream Chanel gown, Selena Gomez in a shimmering gold dress, and Keltie Knight in a playful cropped white T-shirt paired with a pink ball skirt.
Love Story Becomes FX's Streaming Breakout Hit
*Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette* premiered on FX in February 2026 and quickly became the network's most-watched limited series on streaming. Created by Connor Hines and executive produced by Ryan Murphy, the nine-episode series follows the romance of the couple through the tragic 1999 plane crash near Martha's Vineyard that killed them along with Carolyn's sister, Lauren. By April's finale, the show had surpassed 65 million hours viewed globally, with roughly 40 percent of its audience coming from outside the United States.
Mariska Hargitay Returns as First Solo Female Host in 15 Years
Mariska Hargitay, the 27-season *Law & Order: SVU* star, hosted the ceremony and walked the carpet in a striking red sequin gown. She became the first solo female host of the Primetime Emmys in 15 years, following Jane Lynch in 2011. Hargitay addressed the historic role, saying she was "excited that a woman is hosting" and that she was "excited that we're trying to level the scales a little bit because they have been out of whack."
High-Fashion Risks and a Shift Toward Playful Styling
The 2026 Emmy Awards continued a long tradition of daring red-carpet fashion. Marie Claire highlighted that nominees like Zendaya, Carrie Coon, and Rhea Seehorn brought "well-versed fashion résumés" to the event. Fashion critics noted a shift toward high-low pairing and modern tailoring alongside traditional couture. The ceremony echoed iconic Emmy moments like Halle Berry's sheer lavender wrap dress from 2000 and Jenna Ortega's jewel-covered Givenchy gown from 2025.
The Pitt Dominates with 25 Nominations
*The Pitt* led all shows with 25 Emmy nominations, followed by *Hacks* with 24, *Widow's Bay* with 19, *Pluribus* with 18, and *Beef* with 16. *Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette* earned seven nominations across major categories. The nomination counts reflected the breadth of storytelling and performances celebrated at the 2026 Emmys, with streaming platforms competing alongside traditional broadcast networks for industry recognition.
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