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WWD Honors 2026: Tracee Ellis Ross, Michelle Monaghan and the Red Carpet’s Best Fashion Stories

For readers in the United States Updated October 28, 2026

SShivam Das Oct 28, 2026 5 min read

Author: Shivam Das · Independent coverage. Corrections / Contact

WWD Honors 2026 Tracee Ellis Ross red carpet

By Shivam Das

SEO summary: The 2026 WWD Honors brought fashion, beauty and retail leaders to New York’s Cipriani South Street. From Tracee Ellis Ross in Celine to Michelle Monaghan in Altuzarra and Louisa Jacobson in Tom Ford, the red carpet offered a snapshot of designers and creative voices shaping fashion now.

Fashion’s biggest conversations are not limited to runway week. On October 27, the 2026 WWD Honors gathered designers, executives, actors and industry insiders at Cipriani South Street in New York City, bringing red-carpet style into the same room as the business and creative leadership behind the clothes. The event celebrated fashion, beauty and retail figures while giving guests a chance to make a statement through their own wardrobe choices.

For celebrity-fashion watchers, the most interesting part of the evening was the range: sharp tailoring, sculptural eveningwear, archival references and polished looks from major houses. The strongest outfits did more than chase a trend; they showed how personal styling and a designer’s visual language can meet on a high-profile carpet.

Tracee Ellis Ross brings a Celine point of view

Tracee Ellis Ross was among the notable guests at the gala, wearing Celine. The house’s modern, pared-back approach made a different kind of statement from the high-drama gowns that often dominate celebrity red carpets. It was a reminder that restraint can be just as deliberate as spectacle: silhouette, fabric and attitude carry much of the look when embellishment is kept in check. Ross also presented an award during the evening, linking celebrity style with the business community that supports and shapes it.

Michelle Monaghan chooses Altuzarra’s deconstructed glamour

Michelle Monaghan wore Altuzarra, with a Spring 2027 dress that played with the idea of a disrupted or layered surface. The look stood apart from conventional eveningwear because it treated construction itself as a visual feature. Rather than relying only on sparkle or a classic column shape, it brought runway experimentation to a formal setting.

That approach reflects a broader red-carpet shift: celebrities and stylists increasingly use event dressing to communicate a point of view, whether through unusual proportions, statement accessories or pieces that retain a strong connection to a designer’s collection.

Louisa Jacobson and Rebecca Hall showcase Tom Ford tailoring

Louisa Jacobson wore Tom Ford, leaning into the house’s tailored vocabulary with a suit from its Spring 2027 collection. Tailoring is a compelling red-carpet choice because fit and proportion are immediately visible. The best versions feel intentional from shoulder line to trouser break, while a small detail can soften an otherwise precise silhouette.

Rebecca Hall also wore Tom Ford, choosing a Fall 2026 two-piece look built around the brand’s confident use of leather and cut-out detailing. The outfit demonstrated how a familiar tailoring framework can be made more directional through one signature design element. Both appearances underscored the continuing role of suiting in formal celebrity fashion.

Hannah Einbinder gives Celine a sharper edge

Hannah Einbinder appeared in a black Celine Fall 2026 minidress with sculptural shoulders and a rounded skirt. The shape balanced classic references with a slightly offbeat silhouette, echoing the house’s interest in recognizable wardrobe staples made distinctive through proportion. Minimal accessories kept the focus on the dress’s structure.

Einbinder was among the guests celebrating Celine artistic director Michael Rider, who received the WWD Menswear Designer of the Year honor. Her outfit offered an example of how dressing in a designer’s work can feel like a subtle tribute without turning into a literal costume.

The awards behind the red carpet

The 2026 WWD Honors recognized influential names across fashion and business. Bernard Arnault, chairman and chief executive of LVMH, received the John B. Fairchild Honor. Haider Ackermann, creative director of Tom Ford, was named Womenswear Designer of the Year, while Celine artistic director Michael Rider received Menswear Designer of the Year.

Morris Goldfarb, chairman and chief executive of G-III Apparel Group, received the Creative Leadership Honor. Henry Zankov, who leads his namesake label and serves as creative director of Diane von Furstenberg, was selected for the One to Watch Honor. The ceremony was held alongside the WWD Apparel & Retail CEO Summit, scheduled for October 27–28.

These awards provide context for the clothes on the carpet. The night celebrated not only celebrity visibility but also the designers, executives and emerging talents whose decisions influence what reaches stores, runways and wardrobes. Recognition for Ackermann, Rider and Zankov highlights the ongoing conversation between heritage brands and new creative directions.

What the 2026 WWD Honors red carpet says about celebrity style

Three themes stood out. First, tailoring remains a powerful alternative to the traditional gown, especially when cut and styling are treated as the main event. Second, designers are bringing runway experimentation—sculptural shoulders, deconstructed surfaces and unexpected proportions—into formal dressing. Finally, the carpet reflected the close relationship between celebrity culture and the fashion business: the guests draw attention, while designers and retail leaders help determine how ideas move through the industry.

There was no single uniform for the evening, and that variety was part of its appeal. From quieter Celine silhouettes to Tom Ford’s defined tailoring and Altuzarra’s experimental construction, the looks showed several ways to dress for a night that honors fashion as both creative expression and global business.

Frequently asked questions

When were the 2026 WWD Honors held?

The ceremony took place on October 27, 2026, at Cipriani South Street in New York City.

Who received the 2026 WWD Honors awards?

Among the honorees were Bernard Arnault, Haider Ackermann, Michael Rider, Morris Goldfarb and Henry Zankov, recognized across leadership, womenswear, menswear and emerging talent categories.

What did Tracee Ellis Ross wear to WWD Honors 2026?

Tracee Ellis Ross wore Celine and also presented an award during the evening.

Which designers appeared in the red-carpet looks?

Reported looks included Celine, Altuzarra and Tom Ford, alongside outfits from other designers worn by guests attending the gala.

Why does WWD Honors matter to fashion fans?

The event connects red-carpet celebrity style with the creative directors, designers and business leaders who influence fashion collections, retail and the wider industry.