The best and worst dressed celebrities at the 2026 CFDAs – from Hailey Bieber’s fur-trimmed YSL look to Demi Moore’s denim gown

The American Museum of Natural History was transformed for the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) awards, as glamorous stars descended on the red carpet in New York last night.

The prestigious CFDA ceremony is a celebration of couture, but onlookers suggested the outfits of several attendees missed the mark – from Lola Tung’s Coach gown to Fargo actress Carrie Coon’s strapless number.  

However, stars like Pamela Anderson and Lila Moss dressed to impress for the latest edition of the CFDA, which honours the year’s top designers.

The ceremony features four main competitive awards for men and women’s clothing designers, as well as for top accessory designer and emerging designer.

Hailey Bieber attended the show in New York in support of Yves Saint Laurent, as the Rhode founder walked the red carpet alongside designer Anthony Vaccarello. 

However, the fur detail on her embellished gold dress with a front-slit was branded ‘atrocious’ by Reddit users. 

The Gilded Age star Carrie Coon’s strapless blue gown also failed to impress. Carrie, 45, walked the red carpet in a mini-dress with a sheer overlay and long train in a dated take on red carpet glam.

She finished the look with a pair of matching suede heels for a tonal ensemble that fell flat.

Although Lola Tung is known for her high-fashion choices, the Summer I Turned Pretty star played it uncharacteristically safe for the CFDAs.

The global ambassador for Coach walked the red carpet in one of designer Stuart Vever’s custom creations, but fans said the black, full-length leather gown was drab and underwhelming. 

Among the guests that attended the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards was Meadow Walker, the 27-year-old daughter of late Hollywood star Paul Walker. 

While her textured yellow suit, including a blazer and ankle-length skirt, was a brave choice, one Instagram user said the material felt ‘cheap’. 

Actress Lili Reinhart would not have been out of place on Strictly Come Dancing in the shimmering, asymmetric Monse dress she wore to the CFDAs. 

It featured a strapless neckline, nude bodice and shiny silver fringe hem that some compared to ‘dollar store’ party decorations. 

Writing on Reddit, one person wrote: ‘I cannot decide how I feel about this. I kind of like the concept, but the colours are discordant and the silver fringe reminds me of cheap tinsel garland.’ 

American actress Julia Fox went all out in a cartographic creation from nominee Miss Claire Sullivan that was fashioned from white tulle and New York City subway maps in a tribute to the city where the awards were held. 

Fans said they ‘couldn’t stop staring’ at the dress, which Julia accessorised with a tiny tiara and blue open-toe sandals. 

‘She will always be the weird fashion girl and thank god for that,’ one Reddit user wrote. 

American singer Chloe Bailey walked the red carpet in a see-through Christian Siriano gown that fans voted a miss. 

While her undergarments were completely visible through the sheer dress, some also felt that the feather and fur detail on the sleeves, neck and hemline complicated the design unnecessarily. 

‘There was really no need for this to be sheer to begin with,’ one person on Reddit added. 

Brooks Nader also chose a daring look. The Baywatch actress, who is known for her risque looks, walked the red carpet in a hooded, black and white mesh gown through which her undergarments were visible. 

Lindsey Vonn was also in attendance at yesterday’s awards ceremony that celebrated the best in fashion design, with the Olympian opting to wear a Gabriela Hearst creation for the occasion. 

The opulent silk maxi dress featured elongated sleeves and a softly draped high neckline, with a cascading macrame fringe – running from shoulder to hem – that not everyone was a fan of. 

The daughter of Ewan McGregor, Esther McGregor picked one of the most unconventional looks of the night.  

Her Thom Browne ensemble felt an outrageous take on a typical men’s suit and consisted of a sleeveless white collared shirt, striped tie and  tailored vest that bloomed into a massive white skirt with black geometric detailing.  

Esther wasn’t the only nepo baby whose CFDAs look drew mixed responses; the granddaughter of iconic Hollywood star Jack Lemmon, Sydney, wore a pair of bedazzled red knickers over a black statement blazer by Emily Dawn Long. 

American model Indya Moore’s fluffy yellow dress from New York-based label Diotima had too many disparate details – from silver hardware on the right shoulder strap to a khaki mesh panel on the waist –  to make a compelling case for the red carpet. 

Allison Janney towered over the rest of last night’s attendees in sky-high pink stilletos that she wore with a bright pink, sculptural gown from Christian Siriano. 

The dress featured exaggerated, extra-large sleeves that drew mixed responses online; some praised the ‘fierce’ detail while others said they ‘hated’ it. 

Vera Wang also divided fans with her edgy ensemble, comprising a black bandeau top, maxi skirt and leather trench draped loosely over her shoulders.

The 77-year-old fashion designer accessorised with an eye-popping gold bubble ring and wore her brunette hair in two pigtails that did not complement Vera’s outfit, some felt.

American popstar Megan Thee Stallion put a bold twist on red carpet dressing with the burgundy Kim Shui gown she donned last night. 

Keke Palmer, who was hosting the ceremony, had a ‘little vintage moment’ in a Bob Mackie gown first worn by Raquel Welch more than 50 years ago. 

Speaking to People, the 33-year-old star said Welch wore the dress when she performed with Cher on The Cher Show in 1975. 

The embellished gold halter-neck gown featured a high front slit and a web of waist cutouts that showed off her enviable figure and was ‘perfect on’ Keke, fans said. 

Demi Moore, 63, looked effortlessly stylish in a unique GapStudio halter-neck denim dress designed by Zac Posen, which featured a structured corset-style bodice and a row of buttons running down the front.

The actress paired the look with nude heels and wore her glossy raven tresses cascading down her shoulders in loose curls.

Meanwhile Odyssey star Lupita Nyong’o, 43, flashed her toned tummy in a red crop top and a matching skirt.

Australian actress Rose Byrne’s black-and-white polka-dot gown from Carolina Herrera was also a big hit on yesterday’s red carpet.

The 47-year-old Neighbours star paired the strapless, form-fitting dress with black pumps, statement earrings and a black clutch.

Zoe Kravitz was gilded in gold for the star-studded event as she walked the red carpet in a custom Yves Saint Laurent tea dress. 

The crinkle design featured structural elements that clung to and highlighted her curves. She finished the look with a pair of pointed toe, open-back heels with a metallic gold detail to match her dress. 

Naomi Osaka served red carpet glamour as she joined the star-studded guest lineup at the CFDAs last night. 

The Japanese sports star swapped her tennis whites for a voluminous one-shoulder gown designed by couturier Miss Claire Sullivan. 

Details on the polka-dot dress included a ruched waistline and black bow as Naomi accessorised with diamond jewellery.  

Pamela Anderson was the picture of Old Hollywood glam in a black halter-neck dress also by Carolina Herrera. She coordinated her shoes to match the feather-trimmed neckline and carried a satin, polka-dotted purse to create some visual interest.

Although the 59-year-old Baywatch star typically goes makeup-free, Pamela wore a swipe of pink lipstick and black mascara. She styled her platinum blonde ‘bixie’ cut in voluminous curls for a Monroe-inspired ‘do.

Kate Moss’s daughter Lila Moss proved her red carpet prowess in a strapless black column gown from Juju Vera Studio. 

She added interest with a fringed black and white wrap and delicate silver headpiece to elevate the otherwise simple dress.