Here is a look at the 2026 César Awards, which year after year has become a more underwhelming red carpet, with fewer standout moments. And that is not because there is an abundance of black dresses.
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Relaxed, Yet Refined
Some of you might think Leïla Bekhti’s AMI dress, with its cardigan like sleeve detail draped over her shoulders, felt too relaxed for an event often dubbed the French Oscars. Yet for me, it was one of the more interesting looks of the night. It deliberately sidestepped the expected formula, and that is precisely why it worked. Fresh and thoughtfully styled with matching mules and Chaumet jewellery, the balance between ease and glamour felt considered.
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An Appreciated Archival Moment
Amélie Nothomb delivered a glorious archive moment in a Christian Lacroix Fall 1988 Haute Couture jacket. Personally, I would have preferred a black velvet skirt over the navy, but that does not diminish my appreciation. The ornate cross motif remains striking decades later.
Christian Lacroix Fall 1988 Haute Couture
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Tailoring With Intent
Alice Diop brought flair in a Miu Miu burgundy suit, elevated by a contrasting lilac collar. The colour pairing gave the look plenty of personality.
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Understated Host Energy
As host, Camille Cottin opted for elegance in a custom Dior draped gown. Clean lines and fluid construction ensured she looked poised on the night. The look was styled with Tiffany & Co. jewels.
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Message Dressing
Golshifteh Farahani gave an impassioned speech in support of the people of Iran at the event, and her custom Celine look reflected the gravity of the moment. The simplicity underscored her words rather than distracting from them.
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Tailoring On Repeat
Isabelle Huppert continued her Balenciaga tailoring streak in a classic suit styled with De Beers London jewellery. As much as I admire her commitment to sharp suiting, I do miss the range. At the moment, it feels like variations on the same theme.
Balenciaga Spring 2026
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Simplicity With Impact
Léa Drucker exuded elegance in a blue Louis Vuitton gown. The streamlined silhouette was simply with the sculpted shoulder detail beautifully complemented by Boucheron jewellery.
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Playful Contrast
Lena Mahfouf injected playful energy into the carpet with her Courrèges Fall 2025 look featuring a dramatic feathered top. It was one of the few moments that disrupted the overall restraint of the evening.
Courrèges Fall 2025
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Understated Chanel Elegance
Manon Clavel wore a Chanel Pre-Fall 2026 off the shoulder dress styled with Cartier jewellery. This look had a refined simplicity, allowing the craftsmanship to speak for itself.
Chanel Pre-Fall 2026
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Midnight With A Twist
Marina Foïs wore custom Louis Vuitton, serving classic French noir with a sharper edge. The drama comes from the panelling, which creates a clean, graphic shape through the torso. Those structured shoulders stop the gown from feeling like just another black column. Finished with an LV chain strap mini bag, it was one of the more considered black looks of the night.
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Soft Romance In Dior
Mélanie Thierry wore a custom Dior gown styled with Tasaki jewellery. The delicate embroidery gave this look a romantic quality, amplified by the black bow trailing down the back.
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Classic Dior
Rebecca Marder chose custom Dior, embracing a timeless off the shoulder silhouette. It was a familiar red carpet formula, but executed with precision and confidence, and the thigh high slit keeps things interesting.
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Playful Texture Contrast
Suzanne Lindon wore a pale floral jacquard Miu Miu maxi dress inspired by look 54 from the Spring 2026 collection, incorporating the same print, white bib panel and ruby toned embellishments, which she complemented with Boucheron jewellery.
Miu Miu Spring 2026
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Effortless Parisian Chic
Valeria Bruni Tedeschi wore a Dior off the shoulder navy gown featuring sculptural draping through the bodice and waist, creating a shape that I found intriguing. But between her pose and the styling, she really did not sell the look. Pomellato’s jewels provided a discreet finishing touch.
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Alice Diop, AMI Paris, Balenciaga, Camille Cottin, Celine, César Film Awards, Chanel, Christian Lacroix, Courrèges, Dior, Golshifteh Farahani, Isabelle Huppert, Leïla Bekhti, Léna Mahfouf, Louis Vuitton, Mélanie Thierry, Miu Miu, Runway To Red Carpet