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Keke Palmer hosted one of fashion’s biggest nights in fashion history, and she was joined by a bevy of beauties who made the night a baddie buffet.
The Big Boss led the 2026 Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Fashion Awards on Nov. 2, rocking a strappy gold vintage Bob Mackie dress. The fashion girls know just how historic her look was. Mackie, a legendary fashion and costume designer, died Sept. 14 at 87. Mackie built his name on old Hollywood shimmer, and his sparkle dressed legends like Diana Ross and Cher.
As soon as Keke was tapped as host, we knew she would raise the standard. “Fashion is one of my favorite ways to tell a story before even saying a word,” she said in the August announcement.
Red Carpet Rundown: Top Looks From The 2026 CFDA AwardsSource: Getty
Keke was one of several stars who brought their A-game. The CFDA Awards are one of the year’s most stylish nights, honoring the American designers who keep changing the fashion game. So it only makes sense that celebrity looks matched the gravitas of the night. Several designers walked alongside their muses, and top-tier celebs arrived in over-the-top, avant-garde designs we loved.
On the designer front, we spotted Brandon Blackwood, Zac Posen and Sergio Hudson on the carpet. Sergio Hudson posed with Brandy, who wore his Spring/Summer 2027 collection. Brandon Blackwood dressed Olandria Carthen in a corset bodysuit, and Lupita Nyong’o wore custom GapStudio by Zac Posen.
Last year’s carpet was all about monochrome. This year, the stars brought color, sparkle and fashion history. Red showed up on Lupita and Megan Thee Stallion, while Keke and Coi Leray went for the gold. Sheer black turned sexy on Chlöe Bailey and Olandria. And Naomi Osaka – a known fashion slayer – slayed in polka dots. The girls weren’t shy about showing skin either. Cropped tops, waist cutouts, thigh-high slits and sheer mesh were all over the carpet.
Menswear also had its moment. Law Roach went big in feathers and satin, while Shaboozey gave us cowboy couture. Swipe to see every look we loved.
Lupita Nyong’o Makes Americana Red-Carpet Ready In GapStudioSource: Kevin Mazur / Getty
Lupita Nyong’o, who presented American Womenswear Designer of the Year, took classic American denim to the CFDA carpet. The Oscar winner wore custom GapStudio by Zac Posen. Her red crop top twisted at the front and showed a sliver of midriff above a floor-length column skirt. In one hand, she carried a light-wash denim jacket. Gold bracelets on both wrists and her full, parted natural bob finished the look. The red looked too good against her rich melanin skin.
Tinashe Brings Color-Block Volume In Christopher John RogersSource: John Nacion / Getty
Tinashe brought one of the night’s boldest color moments in Christopher John Rogers. The “Crash Out” singer wore a white bra top striped in black and green with a voluminous black skirt. Panels of yellow, red and white peeked out along the sides as the skirt pooled at her feet. Rogers, the Black designer from Baton Rouge, built his brand on big color and bigger volume.
Megan Thee Stallion Goes Bold In Wine-Red BeadingSource: John Nacion / Getty
Megan Thee Stallion gave the CFDA carpet a whole lot of body-ody-ody in wine-red beading. Meg wore a sheer Kim Shui gown covered in beaded knots and rope details, with a high beaded collar and a cutout at the waist. Tasseled beading at the hips led into a mermaid skirt that hugged her curves before trailing into a long train. Her slicked-back platinum hair looked amazing against the deep red on her melanin skin.
Coco Jones Gives Garden Glam In Red FloralsSource: Kevin Mazur / Getty
Red was clearly part of the theme – just ask chocolate Barbie Coco Jones. The newlywed looked amazing in a red floral-print halter gown with a plunging neckline, waist-snatching corset, and high slit. She added simple red strappy sandals to complete the look.
Monica & Brandy Double Up On FringeSource: Kevin Mazur / Getty
Monica and Brandy posed together on the CFDA carpet, and the “The Boy Is Mine” duo matched in fringe. Monica layered long olive fringe over a green mini dress and topped it with a plush olive coat that swept the floor. Her sleek, waist-length hair matched the length of the fringe.
Brandy wore Sergio Hudson’s Spring/Summer 2027 ready-to-wear collection, pairing a crisp white button-down with a popped collar and a black fringe-hem mini skirt. Black fishnets, black gloves and ankle-strap pumps gave her look grown-woman edge.
Olandria Carthen Brings The Drama In Brandon BlackwoodSource: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty
Olandria knows how to make an entrance – every time. Attending her second CFDA Awards, she chose a black Brandon Blackwood corset bodysuit with a sweetheart neckline, sheer black panels, and train. Olandria added black tights, pointed pumps and a diamond necklace to set off the look. Slicked back hair made the entire look a moment.
Coi Leray Goes Golden In Marc JacobsSource: Kevin Mazur / Getty
Coi Leray brought rapper edge and vintage glam to the CFDA carpet in Marc Jacobs. The “Players” rapper wore a black tube top and a crinkled golden mini skirt from the designer’s Spring/Summer 2027 ready-to-wear collection. Its exaggerated hip shape gave the mini major volume, and a black belt cinched her waist. Coi finished the look with white strappy heels, a diamond pendant and her signature tattoos on full display. Her curled black bob and red lip gave the whole look pinup polish.
Naomi Osaka Goes Big In Polka DotsSource: John Nacion / Getty
Naomi Osaka traded the tennis court for the CFDA carpet in a big way. The four-time Grand Slam champion, who presented American Accessory Designer of the Year, wore a white one-shoulder Miss Claire Sullivan gown dotted in black. A puffed sleeve, a black ribbon sash at the waist and a full bubble skirt gave the look its volume.
Azaryah Milan Shimmers In Metallic SageSource: John Nacion / Getty
Azaryah Milan oozed old-school Hollywood glam. She chose a strapless metallic column gown in soft sage green. A draped neckline added softness to the sleek fit through the hips. Long honey-blonde waves and a diamond necklace pulled the look together.
Law Roach Brings The Drama In LuarSource: Adela Loconte / Getty
Law Roach showed up for Luar, looking sleek, over-the-top, and chic. The image architect wore a black satin suit from Luar’s Spring/Summer 2027 ready-to-wear collection, covered in golden pod motifs. Law draped a fluffy yellow feather boa over his shoulders and added pointed black boots.
Chlöe Bailey Goes Sheer In Christian SirianoSource: John Nacion / Getty
Chlöe Bailey has never been shy about a sheer moment, and the CFDA carpet was no exception. The singer wore a sheer black Christian Siriano gown from neck to train, with a black bra and high-waist briefs showing through the mesh. Black tulle ruffles sprinkled with golden feather sprigs framed her neck, wrists, and hem. The mermaid shape hugged Chlöe’s curves before flaring into a ruffled train. She swept her signature locs into a high, sculpted updo, putting her face and glam front and center.
Shaboozey Gives Us Cowboy Cool In Ralph LaurenSource: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty
Shaboozey brought his country lane to the CFDA carpet in Ralph Lauren. The “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” singer paired a white blazer and white shirt with a turquoise bolo tie and a matching turquoise belt buckle. Distressed straight-leg jeans and black loafers with white socks gave his Western polish a relaxed finish.
