Lights! Camera! Historical fashion references!
At the recent Actor Awards, previously known as the SAG Awards, nominees such as Chase Infiniti and Kate Hudson were invited to embody the elegance of early cinema with a unique fashion theme set by ELLE US: “Reimagining Hollywood Glamour From the ’20s and ’30s.” The outcome? A blend of elite, exciting, and daring styles that pushed the boundaries beyond the typical princess-like ball gowns seen at other Hollywood award ceremonies.
This is perhaps not surprising, as the Actor Awards is the only event in the mainstream awards season that is entirely decided by the performers themselves. Established in 1995, this ceremony is “the only televised awards show dedicated solely to honoring actors,” with votes cast by over 160,000 members of the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. This year marked the first time ELLE partnered with the ceremony, merging the realms of cinema and fashion and encouraging attendees like Teyana Taylor and Emma Stone to carry forward the legacy of Hollywood’s original icons.
Hollywood Glamour Reimagined
These icons include Clara Bow, known for her drop-waist satin-embroidered dresses, which continue to inspire designers like Miuccia Prada and Ralph Lauren (you can see her influence in Michelle Williams’s playful custom Prada outfit, styled by Kate Young). The 1930s brought us bombshells like Jean Harlow, whose platinum bob, pencil-thin eyebrows, and lingerie-inspired slip dresses were echoed by Jenna Ortega.
Best-Dressed List
Click through to discover who else nailed the sartorial challenge with our inaugural best-dressed list for the Actor Awards. In a style competition this fierce, simply being nominated is an honor.
- Teyana Taylor – In custom Thom Browne and Tiffany & Co. jewellery.
- Demi Moore – In Schiaparelli and Harry Winston jewellery.
- Chase Sui Wonders – In Miss Sohee and Tiffany & Co. jewellery.
- Sarah Pidgeon – In Balenciaga and Rahaminov Diamonds jewellery.
- Odezza A’zion – In Giorgio Armani.
- Wunmi Mosaku – In custom Louis Vuitton and Messika jewellery.
- Rose Byrne – In Chanel and Messika jewellery.
- Jenna Ortega – In Christian Cowan.
- Yerin Ha – In Balenciaga.
- Emma Stone – In custom Louis Vuitton.
- Kate Hudson – In custom Valentino.
- Gwyneth Paltrow – In Givenchy and Belperron jewellery.
- Jessie Buckley – In Balenciaga and Jessica McCormack jewellery.
- Chase Infiniti – In custom Louis Vuitton and De Beers London jewellery.
- Michelle Williams – In Prada.
It was a family affair for Teyana Taylor at the 2026 Actor Awards, held on March 1 in Los Angeles. Taylor’s daughter, Rue Rose Shumpert, joined her on the red carpet, where she not only showcased her own adorable style but also helped her mother with her stunning custom Thom Browne gown. Rue, dressed in a pink skirt and blue-and-white cardigan, even took on the role of her mom’s stylist, ensuring the train of Taylor’s dress was perfectly arranged for the cameras.
Fashion Highlights from Actor Awards
Rue’s charm didn’t stop there; she entertained the crowd by singing a song while on the red carpet. During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, she introduced herself and expressed her desire to perform a song from Frozen, albeit in her unique style.
Teyana Taylor was nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for her performance in the film One Battle After Another. Earlier this year, she won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in the same film.
In an Instagram post, Taylor expressed her gratitude to Rue for being the best red carpet companion. She wrote, “Rue Rose, thank you for choosing me to be your mama. You make every room brighter, every step lighter, every dream bigger. Bigger than fashion. Bigger than awards. This one felt like legacy.” She added that Rue “had a blastttttttt” turning the red carpet “upside down.”
Teyana Taylor is currently enjoying a well-deserved winning streak, focusing her energy on acting and other passions. Last year, she credited motherhood for inspiring her to pursue her interests more fervently. “Motherhood is what made me start to pour more into the other things that I love to do and also to help other people,” she shared in a recent cover story for InStyle.
Along with Rue, Taylor is also the mother of Iman “Junie” Shumpert Jr., 10, whom she shares with her ex-husband, former NBA player Iman Shumpert.
Teyana Taylor’s striking appearance at the 2026 Actor Awards, featuring a surrealist Thom Browne dress, turned the red carpet into her personal runway. The strapless gown showcased an abstract design reminiscent of a naked woman’s body in shades of gray and off-white, further enhanced by a wavy neckline and a flowing skirt adorned with silver streaks. Ribbons cascading from the back added a dynamic touch to her look.
Working with her styling team, Taylor has made a significant impact on the red carpet throughout 2025 and 2026, wearing custom pieces from renowned designers. Her recent nominations, including an Oscar nod for her role in One Battle After Another, highlight her successful transition into acting.
The 32nd annual Actor Awards, previously known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards, celebrated the best performances in film and television from 2025. Hosted by Kristen Bell, the event took place at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles. One Battle After Another led the nominations with a record-setting seven nods, followed by Sinners and the TV comedy series The Studio. The awards show streamed live on Netflix, beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
