The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards launched awards season Monday night with a stacked red carpet and the promise of history-making moments. Mariska Hargitay, best known for playing Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (the longest-running prime-time live-action character in TV history), hosted the broadcast. She was the first woman to host the ceremony in 15 years, since Jane Lynch had the honour in 2011.
For its part, the red carpet benefited from the full force of Zendaya in custom silver sequined Prada, Colman Domingo in colourful Valentino and Ayo Edebiri in a voluminous, bright blue confection. The bright, optimistic choices, echoed by Sarah Pidgeon and Florence Pugh, both in eye-catching lavender, were an antidote to the paranoia and darkness depicted in many of this year’s nominated shows including Pluribus, The Pitt, Widow’s Bay and DTF St. Louis.
Here are 12 looks that stood out.
Zendaya
As soon as the fashion world learned of Zendaya’s Emmy nomination for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for the final season of Euphoria, buzz began to grow around what the actor and her celebrated collaborator, stylist Law Roach, might come up with for her red carpet moment. Unsurprisingly, the pair delivered. Zendaya wore a beaded custom Prada gown accessorized with Mikimoto jewellery, a Rolex watch and a fresh pixie cut.
ZendayaMonica Schipper/Getty Images
Colman Domingo
Colman Domingo is one of the few men who dare to push well past the envelope on the red carpet. The actor, who is a double nominee for his work on The Four Seasons and Euphoria, did not disappoint. His colourful Alessandro Michele-designed custom Valentino ensemble featured a jewel-toned modified cummerbund held in place with a weighty Boucheron brooch. A red carpet photographer could be heard exclaiming, “Holy moly, always comes correct.” We couldn’t agree more.
Colman DomingoMark J. Terrill/The Associated Press
Ayo Edebiri
Last fall, Ayo Edebiri became Chanel’s first brand ambassador under designer Matthieu Blazy. Edebiri, who was nominated for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for her work on The Bear, wore Chanel to the Toronto International Film Festival premiere of her film Clarissa just a few days ago. On Monday night the actor chose Chanel once again, this time a periwinkle blue tea-length confection with an outsized red bow.
Ayo EdebiriMonica Schipper/Getty Images
Elle Fanning
Elle Fanning, nominated for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for Margo’s Got Money Troubles, can always be counted on for memorable red carpet moments, and Monday was no exception. The actor opted for an understated but no less impactful gown from Ralph Lauren. The jade green slip dress with an asymmetrical fringed train and a low back exuded effortless glamour.
Elle FanningMonica Schipper/Getty Images
Mariska Hargitay
The night’s host had already won two Emmy awards this year for her documentary film, My Mom Jayne, an homage to her mother, iconic Hollywood actor Jayne Mansfield. Hargitay accepted the honours on Sept. 5 in a draped red Elie Saab dress from the label’s 2026 resort collection. On Monday, she stunned in another striking red gown: a custom off-the-shoulder, liquid sequin dress by Monse. The look set the bar – and the stage – for television’s biggest night.
Mariska HargitayMark J. Terrill/The Associated Press
Adam Brody
Adam Brody, who plays a hot rabbi on Netflix’s Nobody Wants This, arrived on the red carpet in an easy, deep navy, double-breasted Prada suit. The elegant look played with modern elements such as a floral silk knot at the collar, giving a nod – and perhaps a send-off – to the traditional bowtie.
Adam BrodyMark J. Terrill/The Associated Press
Selena Gomez
While Selena Gomez is accustomed to receiving accolades for her work in front of the camera, on Monday she celebrated her role as executive producer of Only Murders in the Building, which received a nomination for outstanding comedy series for the fifth year in a row. The beauty mogul arrived on the red carpet in a stunning gold Louis Vuitton gown that did everything a red carpet dress should do. The actor accessorized it with Tiffany & Co. jewels but exercised impressive restraint in leaving her neck bare.
Selena GomezMonica Schipper/Getty Images
Chase Infiniti
Chase Infiniti just premiered her new film, The Julia Set, at TIFF in a short and bright Louis Vuitton confection. On Monday the actor, nominated for her portrayal of Agnes in The Handmaid’s Tale sequel series The Testaments, told a different story in a custom beaded dress by the same label. The strapless copper mermaid dress brought a degree of seriousness to the star’s Emmy red carpet debut.
Chase InfinitiMonica Schipper/Getty Images
Sarah Pidgeon
Sarah Pidgeon was handed the near-impossible task of embodying the style and spirit of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in the FX series Love Story. With a nomination for outstanding lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie, the star seems to have triumphed. Her beautifully beaded, low-back, custom lilac Chanel gown was a nod to the understated looks worn by the 1990s icon and the era’s ubiquitous slip dresses.
Sarah PidgeonMark J. Terrill/The Associated Press
Keri Russell
Keri Russell, an acting nominee for her work on The Diplomat, arrived on the red carpet with her husband, Matthew Rhys, who won for his roles in Apple TV’s Widow’s Bay and Netflix’s The Beast in Me. Russell delivered a dramatic moment in a custom backless leather dress from Khaite. It was a bold counterpoint to the more traditional gowns that dominated the red carpet.
Keri RussellAmy Sussman/Getty Images
Rhea Seehorn
Rhea Seehorn, winner of outstanding lead actress in a drama series for her portrayal of Carol Sturka in Apple TV’s Pluribus, delivered a bright, bold, optimistic statement in a custom draped Louis Vuitton dress accented with Swarovski jewellery.
Rhea SeehornMark J. Terrill/The Associated Press
Florence Pugh
Florence Pugh, one of the night’s presenters, made her Emmy awards debut just a few weeks before the premiere of her latest project, the Netflix adaptation of John Steinbeck’s novel East of Eden. Pugh will play the book’s complicated antagonist, Cathy Ames, but on Monday she kept things light in a custom strapless Vivienne Westwood gown with voluminous off-the-shoulder draping. The Bulgari ambassador wore a piece by the jeweller to complete the winning look.
Florence PughAmy Sussman/Getty Images
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to correct the name of the series Only Murders in the Building.
