Baftas 2026: Emma Stone Leads Stars in Daring Red Carpet Fashion
Celebrities descended on London's Royal Festival Hall for the 79th British Academy Film Awards, with the trend for risque and backless outfits taking centre stage. The red carpet was awash with daring designs as stars braved the February weather in revealing ensembles that captured global attention.
Leading Ladies Embrace Backless Designs
Emma Stone, nominated for Best Actress for her role in Bugonia, made a bold statement in a daring black dress featuring a halterneck, keyhole cut-out, and dramatic backless design. She paired the risque ensemble with delicate earrings and a loose chignon, setting the tone for the evening's fashion.
Carey Mulligan, nominated for Best Supporting Actress for The Ballad Of Wallis Island, opted for a navy halterneck dress that was backless save for one thin strap, complemented by a relaxed bob hairstyle. Meanwhile, Irish actress Jessie Buckley surprised with an electric blue dress that featured a high neckline but revealed an unexpected scooped back.
Variations on the Daring Theme
Rose Byrne, nominated for Best Actress for If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, chose a pale yellow Miu Miu dress with delicate sequinning on the bodice and thin bedazzled straps. Kerry Washington wore a daring navy Prada gown featuring a floral sequinned pattern and voluminous chiffon skirt with a statement backless design.
Up-and-comer Chase Infiniti continued her relationship with Louis Vuitton in a burgundy strapless gown with dramatic fishtail, while Norwegian actress Renate Reinsve bared skin in a Louis Vuitton dress with geometric cut-out for her role in Sentimental Value.
Alternative Fashion Statements
Not all stars embraced the daring trend, with some opting for more demure choices. Teyana Taylor flexed her style muscles in a dramatic brown coat-style dress with high collar reaching past her ears, while Maggie Gyllenhaal wore a black long-sleeve gown with sparkly detailing.
The Bafta red carpet also featured innovative menswear, with Alan Cumming taking hosting duties in a modern take on traditional suiting featuring fringing and dyed coloured curls. Paul Mescal kept it simple in a loose-fitting black suit, while Riz Ahmed made a statement in a double-breasted pinstriped suit with flared trousers and no shirt underneath.
Complete Red Carpet Coverage
Additional standout looks included Gugu Mbatha-Raw's pink sequinned Giorgio Armani gown with deep-V neckline, Alicia Vikander's pale blue Louis Vuitton gown with triangular cutout, and Sadie Sink's structured sage backless gown. The evening demonstrated that while backless designs dominated, there was room for diverse fashion expressions at one of cinema's most prestigious events.
