The 2026 New York Film Festival has delivered an interesting mix of red carpet looks this week, from experimental tailoring and unexpected silhouettes to shimmering eveningwear. Here are the looks worth discussing.

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Bucking Fastard
Rooney Mara wore The Row Resort 2027, giving us plenty of texture but little departure from her usual all-black aesthetic. I appreciate the jacket, but the overall look feels very familiar.


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Kate Mara wore Monse Fall 2026 and seems to have abandoned her love of mini dresses. I love the contrast between the delicate floral bustier and oversized tailoring. This was an interesting pivot for her. I feel that she will return to her signature style after this press tour.


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Bitter Christmas
Milena Smit wore Valentino Resort 2027, delivering one of the standout looks of the festival. The intricate embellishments and shimmering fringe are the kind of glamour we don’t always get from this festival. A festive dress for a festive film, and for the queen of neo-goth, an interesting change of direction.


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Club Kid
One thing you can always count on from Cara Delevingne is a look with an edge, which is exactly what she delivered by styling this Thom Browne mini dress with burgundy boots.

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The Debut
The interesting combination of lace and an exaggerated skirt initially had me thinking Loewe, but Havana Rose Liu‘s look comes from the Balenciaga Spring 2027 collection. She likely handpicked it after sitting front row at the show last week.


Halle Bailey kept things simple in a black asymmetric gown, bringing a sultry edge to the red carpet.

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Behemoth!
Eva Victor has been missing from the red carpet for a while, but this Loewe gown was a welcome return. I love the chocolate-brown colour, but it’s the unexpected feather-like detailing that makes this look so interesting.

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A Statement
Amy Ryan opted for Rachel Comey’s metallic embellishments, and I love this for her. The simple silhouette lets the shimmering pattern shine, while her red lip adds a welcome pop of colour. Deux Ami earrings and Momma Eye jewellery completed her look.

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Misty Green
Rosalind Eleazar wore Elie Saab Resort 2027, giving us a little English countryside romance with a period-drama feel. Between the checks, lace and sweeping skirt, there’s something wonderfully nostalgic about this look, and I love how the wide belt pulls everything together.


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Artificial
While I’m enjoying the romantic ruffles on Billie Lourd‘s Rodarte dress, I’m not entirely convinced by this shade of brown on her. Manolo Blahnik Jada mules completed her look.

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Clarissa
I don’t think I’m ready for India Amarteifio to enter her sheer-dress era, so I wasn’t a fan of this Georges Hobeika Fall 2026 halterneck gown on her. I would have preferred a little more coverage for the young actress.
Georges Hobeika Fall 2026
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