Television Academy’s 78th Emmy Awards, Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE, Los Angeles, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026

The Emmys carpet ran on a navy and gold backdrop, and the strongest looks answered it with three things: saturated color, texture you could read from across the carpet, and one deliberate detail. Here is what stood out.

The Showstopper

Megan Stalter wore the carpet’s only full-body costume. Gold body paint covered her from face to sandals, with a sculpted gold updo, a metallic crop top and shorts, and a chain belt. Feathered gold wings spread behind her, and she held an oversized gold Emmy atom sphere overhead. The costume became the trophy, and it was the only look that used the gold wall as a set piece. Megan Stalter, left, and Paul W. Downs Photo by Danny Moloshok/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services

Red, Three Ways

Grace Field wore an off-shoulder red bustier gown with a bubble-hem mini skirt and a long train. Platinum waves, a red lip, crystal statement earrings, and white almond nails kept the palette to red, white, and crystal. She was photographed at the Ritz-Carlton bar activation, drink in hand. Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services

Niecy Nash-Betts chose a strapless red satin mermaid gown with a sweeping train and old-Hollywood waves. Beside her, Jessica Betts wore an oversized black tux with satin lapels, a brooch at the collar, and patent square-toe shoes. The pairing worked on contrast: one silhouette curved and the other cut in straight lines. Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services

Krys Marshall wore a structured strapless red gown with a swept-side sculpted hairstyle and gold pavé drop earrings. A beaded multicolor clutch under her arm added pattern, and the photo caught her mid-laugh. Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services

Feathers

Eunice Bae wore a marigold ostrich-feather halter with a high-low hem that deepens to orange. The slicked braided updo, red lip, and crystal sandals kept the focus on the color gradient. Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services

Mycah Bacchus Maye wore a white feather mini with a plunging neckline and sculpted feathered shoulders. The high-low skirt runs into a cascading feather train. She added a face-framing updo, silver strappy sandals, and white French tips.Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services

Bead and Light

Joy Sunday wore an ivory column gown beaded in vertical lines, with a drop-waist blouson bodice, a thigh-high slit, a beaded hip bow, and a scalloped train. The buzz cut, white sandals, and teardrop earrings left the beadwork as the only ornament. Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services

Sheryl Lee Ralph wore a strapless bugle-bead column in an abstract color-block pattern of mint, blush, chartreuse, and gold. Green shimmer eyeshadow, glossy waves, and gold platforms picked up the bead colors.Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services

Sepideh Moafi was the detail-shot standout. Four sculptural rings in white metal with pavé and baguette-cut stones sat across both hands, over a tennis bracelet and a slim polished bangle. Milky nude-pink almond nails were the only quiet element. She held a worn, antiqued gold box clutch with an amber clasp, and her gold-and-silver beaded sunburst dress echoed the ring shapes.Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services

Line and Sculpture

Denée Benton wore a black satin bandeau with a V-notch and a low-slung skirt with an asymmetric train. A diamond choker and honey highlights were the only accents. Photo by Danny Moloshok/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services

Sheinelle Jones wore an emerald satin one-shoulder gown with a crystal waistband and a draped cape-back train. Emerald studs and a crystal cuff matched the dress. Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services

Miranda Mae Rayo paired a black long-sleeve bodysuit printed with red roses with tiered black taffeta ruffles at the waist. Cascading crystal earrings, a septum ring, slicked hair, a burgundy lip, and a black box clutch finished the look.Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services

The Modern Gentleman

Colman Domingo wore a terracotta Mandarin-collar jacket with frog closures, cinched with a magenta satin sash. The sash carries an Art Deco jeweled buckle and black tassels. A hot pink shirt, cream trousers, tinted frames, and a steel watch completed it. Photo by Danny Moloshok/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services

Duke McCloud showed that tailoring works at any size. His navy blazer has tonal bar-stripe sleeves, and the cuffed trousers pair with striped socks and oxblood wingtips. A blue rosette pin, gold lapel chain, and navy bow tie added detail.Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services

Brad Carpenter and Chris Arruda took opposite routes. Carpenter wore a sheer orange organza suit that shows his full-body tattoos, with a silver chain necklace and velvet loafers. Arruda wore a classic black suit with a turquoise satin scarf, round glasses, and a fine gold chain.Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Content Services

LUSH Takeaways

• Color: Red appeared three times, and marigold, emerald, and orange each held their own against the navy backdrop.
• Texture: Ostrich feather, bugle beads, and satin did the work that embellishment usually does.
• Details: Rings, clutches, sashes, and buckles carried personality. Moafi’s hands and Domingo’s buckle are the clearest examples.