The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards red carpet at London's Royal Festival Hall was a showcase of high fashion, where celebrities presented a mix of acclaimed and criticised sartorial choices. The event, attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales, saw top honours go to films "One Battle After Another" and "Hamnet". While many stars arrived in stunning designer ensembles, several looks were deemed lacklustre by fashion observers.
Fashion analysis of the event highlights the subjective nature of red-carpet style, where even custom creations from prestigious houses like Chanel and Valentino can divide opinion. The evening also marked the public debut of actor Paul Mescal and singer-actress Kiernan Shipka as a couple, with both opting for coordinated black outfits.
Standout Successes from the Night
Several actors delivered what were widely considered fashion triumphs. Florence Pugh, a nominee for "One Battle After Another", made her BAFTA debut in a striking maroon Louis Vuitton gown. The strapless dress featured a fitted bodice that flared dramatically at the knee, creating a floating effect at the ankles. She accessorised with coordinating pumps and De Beers jewellery, including bejeweled dangly earrings.
Best Actress winner Jessie Buckley ("Hamnet") wore a custom-designed, bright-blue Chanel gown by Creative Director Matthieu Blazy. The dress cinched at the waist, featured a low back, and flowed into a column-style skirt, adorned with silver brooches on each shoulder for a glamorous touch.
Meanwhile, Renate Reinsve, nominated for "Sentimental Value", wore one of the night's most fashionable looks: a strapless black Louis Vuitton gown with a triangular cutout on the bodice and a subtle train, completed with a simple silver choker.
Critiqued Silhouettes and Styling Choices
Not all looks met with universal approval. While Buckley's Chanel gown was praised for its colour and silhouette, some critics noted the heavy velvet fabric clashed with the Grecian-inspired design, suggesting a lighter material like chiffon may have been more effective on the red carpet.
Kirsten Dunst arrived in a Valentino ensemble comprising a white blouse, a black skirt with a waist cutout, strappy heels, and a pink jacket with voluminous, bubbled sleeves. Fashion commentators suggested the dramatic jacket distracted from the other elements of the outfit and that she might have appeared more stylish without it.
Couple Debut and Tailored Statements
The ceremony served as the first red-carpet appearance for couple Paul Mescal and Kiernan Shipka. Mescal, nominated for Best Supporting Actor for "Hamnet", wore a relaxed Prada suit with an unbuttoned jacket, no tie, and folded shirt cuffs. Shipka complemented him in a black Chanel gown adorned with sparkly embellishments, green beading on the neckline, and fish motifs. Their looks were coordinated but deliberately not overly matchy.
In the menswear category, Michael B. Jordan, nominated for "Sinners", made a sharp statement in a Prada suit. His double-breasted charcoal jacket featured padded, pointed shoulders and was paired with a black blouse, black tie, and slim-fit trousers, finished with a silver brooch.
The divergent reactions to the evening's fashion underscore the BAFTA red carpet's role as a key platform for sartorial risk-taking and personal expression within the global awards season. The looks will likely influence trends and be analysed in style publications for weeks to come.