The Tamesis
When it comes to eye-catching Hollywood red carpets, superstars are sure to turn to top luxury brands—Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and more—for their gowns, and for good reason. These historic brands have large budgets (and sometimes contracts) to create custom looks. But this year, celebrities and their stylists are also making space to spotlight and support more emerging designers, and the emergence of fashion’s new guardians is refreshing.
Brands such as Colleen Allen, Hodakova, Fforme, Khaite and Ashi Studio are all showing up on the red carpet this year, and their collective influence is quickly becoming an important part of shaping fashion trends. Perhaps it signals the dawn of a new era, one that moves away from the glamor of Old Hollywood and looks for a more modern, slightly unconventional look.
Ashi Studio is the brand of Saudi Arabian women’s clothing designer Mohammed Ashi, which has become the new favorite of stars such as Zendaya, Teyana Taylor and FKA twigs. He specializes in designing sleek, sculptural gowns that emphasize silhouette and figure. (This approach fits perfectly with this year’s Met Gala theme, which explores the relationship between clothing and the centrality of the body.)
Another designer who has become a strong clothing destination is New York designer Colleen Allen, who has made a name for herself at brands like The Row. Her quietly elegant look had the timelessness and elegance that a red carpet demands, while still feeling updated and fit for a 2026 event. Everyone from Nicole Kidman to Michaela Coel and Britt Lower is drawn to her classic black dresses, sometimes paired with shapely ruffles or bias-cut skirts.
