The Hollywood Reporter presents its first data-driven stylist survey, in which fashion designers voted for their peers’ most impressive looks this year. What is served: fashion as art.
Published on November 4, 2026
Zendaya, Emma Chamberlain and Chase Infiniti
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In the three decades since red carpets became synonymous with Hollywood couture, celebrity stylists have edged out fashion editors, models, moguls and, more recently, content creators as the city’s true arbiters of taste. No one else gets as many media impressions as big Hollywood stylists, many of them attracting millions of followers. Sure, Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Taylor Swift each have over 500 million fans on Instagram, but a lot of their engagement depends on what their stylists put on their backs.
That’s why, as this year draws to a close, THR contacted the many professionals who have now become famous for dressing the world’s most visible people. What have we learned? The new Parisian design duo behind Matières Fécales — Hannah Rose Dalton and Steven Raj Bhaskaran — have captured the hearts of stylists the most, while Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel, Jonathan Anderson’s Dior and Anthony Vaccarello’s Saint Laurent are also among Hollywood’s favorite designers. Feathers still fly on the red carpet, suitable for all genders. The sheer look continues to pop, but cutouts and two-piece looks are taking over the body part war. Lace, lingerie and leather are now totally red carpet worthy. Slim fits and solid fits are forever. And so, apparently, is fashion’s idolization of Zendaya. We could have easily included three or more of her looks, but to keep the list varied and fun, we only chose one top fit per actor or actress. The methodology behind the list included compiling the top 10 looks chosen by more than 50 stylists, prioritizing the number of votes each look received, then, to break ties, establishing a ranking. The result: a realistic look at upcoming trends and Hollywood’s top-ranked designers and designs, from the world’s biggest trendsetters.
With reporting by Elycia Rubin.
1. Zendaya
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At the New York premiere of The Odyssey On July 14, America’s favorite zillennial stunned in the Fecal Matter “Angel” dress. Styled by Law Roach, the hand-pleated micro-chiffon creation featured white rooster feather wings designed to evoke Zendaya’s character in the film: the Greek goddess Athena. “What I loved most about the Matières angel look,” says stylist Ilaria Urbinati (her clients: Dwayne Johnson, Barry Keoghan) “was how cohesive and ethereal it was from head to toe. It didn’t look like a costume. She looked like a painting. Not many people could pull it off.” Adds stylist Tara Swennen (Kristen Stewart, Ali Wong), “It literally took my breath away.”
2. Emma Chamberlain
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At the Met Gala on May 4, Chamberlain attracted attention in a custom Mugler by Miguel Castro Freitas. Inspired by Impressionist painters, this one-of-a-kind rainbow dress, designed by Jared Ellner, took 40 hours to paint and four days to dry. “It really embodied the Met Ball theme ‘Fashion is Art’ without looking like a costume,” says stylist Tracy Shapoff (Molly Parker, Bill Maher). “The beautiful hand-painted texture on the dress made it look like they had painted a unique piece directly onto her body. I truly felt like I was looking at a work of art.”
3. Sue Infiniti
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Styled by Wayman + Micah, last Oscar season’s Infiniti shined in Thom Browne’s custom version at the Met Gala on May 4. Made from 1.5 million hand-embroidered sequins and over 600 shades of silk fringe, the dress is inspired by the Greek sculpture of Venus de Milo. “There’s something surreal about it,” says stylist Avigail Collins (who’s on a team with her husband Damian; they work with Elizabeth Olsen and St. Vincent). “Like wearable, almost sculptural art, the way sequins, beading, intricate embroidery, craftsmanship and embellishments create an abstract silhouette, pushing the boundaries of fashion.”
4. Teyana Taylor
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Also wearing custom Thom Browne and also styled by Wayman + Micah, Taylor, another star from last awards season, captured the fashion mind at the Actor Awards on March 1. The surreal molded dress in gray and off-white was meant to evoke an abstract painting of a nude woman’s body, with ribbons flowing down the back. The “naked” anatomical bodice was made from over 160 pattern pieces assembled via intarsia and tonal shading to mimic sculpted musculature; the gray tulle mermaid skirt was adorned with over 400,000 gold and white gold sequins.
5. Nicole Kidman
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In a ruby-beaded, liquid-looking Chanel confection, Kidman, styled by Jason Bolden, turned heads at the Met Gala on May 4. Chanel’s Matthieu Blazy created the low-rise silhouette, with feathers at the hips and cuffs, a dramatic long train and surprising long sleeves. “What I loved most about this dress,” says stylist James Yardley (Connor Storrie, Hannah Waddingham), “was its simplicity. The impeccable cut and placement of the feathers had such an impact. The icing on the cake: the spinel and lapis lazuli ring, also by Chanel.”
6. Daisy Edgar-Jones
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I’m wearing this Miu Miu crystal corseted dress to the October 1 premiere in Sydney. Sense and sensitivity, Edgar-Jones, styled by Dani Michelle, perfectly referenced Jane Austen’s era, with delicate ribbons for straps. “It sounds perfect,” says stylist Ariel Tunnell (Rachel Bloom, Stephanie Beatriz). “The color, the sheer elements, the tones on her skin – so flattering. Add in the historical dressing of the corsets and lacing, and it all comes together in the coolest, most beautiful way.”
7. Charli XCX
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Modeling Saint Laurent customized by Anthony Vaccarello at the September 27 MTV Video Music Awards and styled by Chris Horan, the musical provocateur reminded us that the belly is an erogenous zone. Goth and glam at the same time, Charli embodied a modern Morticia Addams. “I don’t know anyone who knows who they are better than Charli XCX,” stylist Michael Fisher told THR (Ethan Hawke, Jon Hamm, Jake Gyllenhaal). “Every time I see her on a carpet, she is completely herself and looks effortlessly cool.”
8. Rihanna
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Styled by Jahleel Weaver, she wore a custom metallic architectural creation by Maison Margiela creative director Glenn Martens for the May 4 Met Gala. Inspired by the medieval buildings of the Flanders region of Belgium, it has been sewn from duchess silk, recycled metallic threads and 115,000 crystal beads alongside antique jewelry and chains. The brand’s Parisian workshop devoted 1,380 hours of manual labor to what Rihanna described as “resembling a pearl emerging from an oxidized oyster shell,” a reference to her native Barbados.
9. Bella Hadid
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The Schiaparelli couture lace dress worn by the multi-hyphenate model and styled by Mimi Cuttrell for the Cannes Film Festival was a tribute to Jane Birkin. It took 130 artisans to create. Stylist Molly Dickson (Sydney Sweeney, Kaia Gerber) offers: “Everything Daniel Roseberry does at Schiaparelli is incredible. This dress balances delicate proportions and contrast perfectly. The crochet is intricate; the V in the neck is the perfect line. And let’s not forget the back! It has a black ribbon corset laced up to the neck, giving the smallest side.”
10. Charlize Theron
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Only badass Theron, styled by Leslie Fremar, could add character to this suit from the Dior fall 2026 men’s collection, which she wore to the New York premiere on April 22. Summit. “That look stood out to me,” says stylist Lee Harris (Helen Mirren, Drew Barrymore), “because in this red carpet world in which so many people are trying to get attention, it was razor sharp and clean, with one powerful accessory. She wore that look — the look didn’t wear her.”
11. Paul Anthony Kelly
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At Céline during a Hello America appearance in February to promote love story, Kelly has seduced stylists and fashion luminaries of all kinds. Styled by Warren Alfie Baker, the jacket, rep tie, and jeans combo is reminiscent of his character, JFK Jr. “I love when well-worn denim makes its way into celebrity attire because it’s always unexpected,” says stylist Erica Cloud (Robert Downey Jr., Mia Goth). “The homage to JFK Jr. in the ’90s was a great introduction to Paul’s fashion presence. The little Céline details – minimal loafers, square tie – were the icing on the cake.”
12. Tilda Swinton
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Swinton’s striking Chanel couture cocoon silhouette, complemented by vertical pleats and a…
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