On Saturday, October 18, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures hosted its fifth annual fundraising gala in Los Angeles, honoring Penélope Cruz, Walter Salles, Bruce Springsteen, and Bowen Yang. The event raised over $12 million to further the museum’s exhibitions, education initiatives, and public programming.
Hollywood’s biggest names arrived in full force — Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Olivia Rodrigo, and Lupita Nyong’o, among others — and the red carpet quickly became a runway of its own. Couture craft, archival pulls, sculptural silhouettes, and surrealist details defined the mood. The result: one of the most visually compelling carpets of the season.
Since its launch in 2021, the Academy Museum Gala has become a marquee moment where Hollywood pays tribute not just to film, but to the artistry that supports it — from global storytellers to the cultural institutions preserving cinema’s future. With major honorees, record fundraising, and a guest list that rivals the Oscars, it has quickly become a centerpiece of awards-season fashion.
The Fashion Narrative of the Night
This year’s style story unfolded with three dominant themes:
- Runway-Fresh Glamour: Multiple looks arrived straight off the Spring/Summer 2026 runways.
- Wearable Art: From molded bodices to avant-garde structure, fashion leaned sculptural and cinematic.
- Heritage and Archive: Vintage and archival pulls continued their red-carpet comeback.
GRAZIA’s 20 Best Dressed Celebrities from the 2025 Academy Museum Gala
1) Jenna Ortega in Grace Ling
A sculptural silver breastplate and maroon silk skirt made Ortega the night’s most-discussed style moment — gothic glamour with gallery-level artistry.
2) Hailey Bieber in Schiaparelli
Ribboned couture, a corseted waist, and a daring slit channeled Old Hollywood through a surrealist lens with signature Schiaparelli drama.
3) Kendall Jenner in The Row
Clean, restrained, and razor-sharp, Jenner’s minimal black silhouette proved that quiet luxury can still command a carpet.
4) Chase Infiniti in Louis Vuitton
A turquoise pleated gown with a structured bodice showed Infiniti as a rising fashion force — equal parts futuristic and femme.
5) Zoë Kravitz in Saint Laurent
Dramatic and impossibly cool, Kravitz personified Saint Laurent’s latest runway collection, wearing a voluminous silhouette in a combination of neutral hues, accessorized with a yellow diamond Jessica McCormack ring.
6) Kim Kardashian in Maison Margiela
A nude-toned, corseted ensemble and mask embodied Margiela’s poetic anonymity — provocative yet polished.
7) Kaia Gerber in Givenchy by Sarah Burton
Feminine lines on an all-lace gown and matching floor-length cape, custom-made by Givenchy, gave Gerber an etheral moment on the carpet.
8) Emily Ratajkowski in Jean Paul Gaultier
Architectural shoulders and a refined neckline showcased Jean Paul Gaultier’s gift for red-carpet structure in a vibrant blue shade.
9) Rebecca Hall in Thom Browne
Intelligent and artistic glamour — straying from Thom Browne’s usual suiting and tailoring — came together in a sheer, clean, and captivating red carpet win.
10) Greta Lee in Dior
A look rooted in couture precision and quiet romance, evoking Dior’s timeless interplay of discipline and femininity.
11) Demi Moore in Prada
A statuesque burgundy column with a sweeping train continued Moore’s standout fashion streak.
12) Elle Fanning in Balenciaga
Oversized volume and frothy feathers turned Fanning into a fashion daydream — dramatic without overpowering her ethereal presence.
13) Grace Van Patten in Margiela X Galliano
Sexy sheer, barely there dressing, and feather detailing from this archival Margiela x Galliano gown created a soft-focus effect perfect for the gala’s cinematic theme.
14) Da’Vine Joy Randolph in Cristian Siriano
Randolph radiated in custom Cristian Siriano, featuring a simple white bodice with a bold, couture-grade skirt — commanding the carpet in a heroine-worthy silhouette.
15) Charli XCX in Saint Laurent
Dark, lace-driven glamour with a subversive leather edge — very Saint Laurent, very Charli.
16) Kate Hudson in Stella McCartney
Hudson channeled her iconic How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days yellow dress, giving draped glamour in Stella McCartney.
17) Michelle Monaghan in Carolina Herrera
Romantic flowers and an empire-waistline gave Monaghan an ultra feminine aura, blending red carpet fun and fairytale fashion.
18) Selena Gomez in Armani
A sleek, tailored gown paired with a glowing beauty look underscored Gomez’ confident, classic approach to eveningwear.
19) Hilary Duff in Alberta Ferretti
A vibrant fuschia fantasy and unapologetic runway drama — Duff made her way into the fashion scene with archival Alberta Ferretti.
20) Naomi Watts in Balenciaga
Watts is the definition of refined glamour, this time opting for fashion’s more fun and daring side, donning a bold Balenciaga feathered dress.
