Academy Museum Gala
Worn On: 10/17/26 // los angeles, ca
the commentary
Let the Oscar campaign begin!
Taylor attended the Academy Museum Gala in custom Dior which riffs on elements from Jonathan Anderson's latest SS2027 runway (pictured above). For a red carpet, I appreciated the adjustments made from the original version. The hip panniers were softened and slightly deflated (but still present for a touch of FASHUN). The bow became bedazzled and the bodice accented by crystals buried in the pleats. It made for a slightly more wearable look that felt thoughtfully tailored (pun intended!) to Taylor’s taste and love of a good sparkle. Though is anyone surprised? This is the result of her longtime stylist, Joseph Cassell, and the man who designed perhaps the most important - and still unseen! - gown she’s worn in her life: her wedding dress.
As creative director, Anderson continues to prove what a masterful student he is of the French brand’s house codes. In this collection he returns to Monsieur Dior’s Zerline dress. The Zerline was originally made from crisp silk taffeta that held its shape. It had a similar bow at the bust and convex mounds covering the hips. Here, Anderson diffused that sharp silhouette by rendering it in soft fairytale pleated tulle and chiffon. Considering this is an Academy event and Taylor is continuing her efforts to secure a nomination (and hopefully win!) for the Best Original Song category, my mind looked back at her previous outings in support of “I Knew It, I Knew You.” If I reach, fashion math miiight take the bows from her Erdem dress at the premiere’s red carpet, the embellishments from her first performance that night, and the diaphanous fabrication + colour at the Grammy Museum to achieve this particular look and continue the style story. Though regardless of inspiration source, I think a round of applause is well-deserved for all involved as Taylor looks every inch a soft, ethereal vision.
Later this evening Taylor will take to the stage for a performance which is sure to include her Toy Story 5 soundtrack contribution “I Knew It, I Knew You.”
the clothes
* Not available for purchaseFeature Photo by Frazer Harrison via Getty Images