Classic, cool and more: Celebrity fashion at this year's CFDA Awards

From left: Zoe Kravitz, Hailey Bieber and Rose attends the 2026 CFDA Awards in New York City wearing designs by Anthony Vaccarello, who was honoured with the "International Designer Of The Year" prize. Photo: AFP

If there was a common dress code at the 2026 CFDA Awards (Council Of Fashion Designers Of America), it was an appreciation for American fashion in all its varied expressions.

The annual ceremony brought together actors, musicians, models and other fashion personalities, many of whom chose to wear creations by US designers and brands.

The result was a red carpet that celebrated the country’s design talent without subscribing to a single aesthetic.

Elle Fanning brought her signature romantic sensibility to the occasion, while Lupita Nyong’o added a contemporary edge with her take on American casualwear.

Read more: A Prada runway past? This US politician has quite the fashion backstory

Allison Janney opted for a more dramatic approach, demonstrating how confident styling can make a statement without relying on elaborate embellishments.

Naomi Osaka continued to showcase her growing confidence as a fashion personality. The tennis champion has increasingly used clothing as a means of self-expression, bringing the same individuality to the red carpet that she displays through her off-court style.

From romantic femininity to contemporary cool and understated elegance, the looks reflected the diversity of American fashion and the freedom to interpret it in one’s own way.