Hollywood Red Carpets Embrace Architectural Cutouts and Strategic Skin
Hollywood's approach to red carpet fashion is evolving beyond traditional sheer fabrics, pivoting toward an architectural and off-beat style of skin exposure. At the 2026 LACMA Art+Film Gala held in Los Angeles, celebrities showcased garments featuring precision cuts, dramatic waist slashes, and daringly open backs that rely on stark contrasts between covered fronts and revealing sides.
Kim Kardashian set the tone at the Los Angeles event by wearing a burgundy sequined Gucci gown designed by Demna. While the front featured a high neck and long sleeves, the side revealed a dramatic waist slash exposing the hip. A similar aesthetic was visible across multiple custom Gucci creations worn by prominent attendees.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wore a long-sleeved black gown with a severe front that gave way to a completely exposed back and a hip-high slit. Amber Valletta opted for a black column gown featuring an open back and a high leg slit, while Emily Ratajkowski wore a draped white gown with open sides and a plunging neckline. Other notable looks included Alix Earle in a fringe-drenched halter gown, Lindsey Vonn in a purple one-shouldered glitter gown, and Candice Swanepoel in a crystal-strewn dress with dual high slits. Outside of the Gucci lineup, Madelaine Petsch wore a Georges Hobeika design featuring a plunging halter bodice paired with an embroidered pencil skirt.
Fashion observers note that this latest wave moves away from romantically diaphanous styles toward calculated precision, signaling a new chapter of high-octane glamour on the red carpet.
