Taylor Swift to Jacob Elordi: Best looks from ‘Met Gala of the West Coast’

October 18, 2026 — 5:10pmThe Academy Museum Gala has once again delivered one of the most glamorous and star-studded red carpets of the year.Known as the “Met Gala of the West Coast”, the event raises funds for Los Angeles’ Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Though not quite as prominent as the Grammys or Oscars’ red carpet, the gala has quietly developed a reputation for being refined, elegant and experimental while still packing a major A-list punch.Jacob Elordi, Taylor Swift, Teyana Taylor and a slew of other A-list stars attended the 2026 Academy Museum Gala.FilmMagicThis year’s event, which marked the sixth to date, welcomed a slew of famous faces, including A$AP Rocky, Kendall Jenner, Pamela Anderson and Andrew Garfield. Australia was well represented with Jacob Elordi, Kylie Minogue and emerging star Joseph Zada.Though much of what happened inside the museum’s hallowed halls remained a mystery, this year’s gala honoured Mad Max: Fury Road actor Charlize Theron, Sing Sing performer Colman Domingo and renowned director John Carpenter.It included a closing performance from pop juggernaut Taylor Swift in one of her first major live performances since the end of the Eras Tour in 2024.In unfortunate news for those hoping to catch a glimpse of the performance, the gala is famously not televised to the public.This has arguably worked in its favour, generating major intrigue around the mysterious goings-on inside the event, and offering privacy for the celebrities in attendance – a rarity these days.Here are the looks from some of the night’s biggest stars.Taylor SwiftTaylor Swift channels Cinderella in baby blue Dior.FilmMagicColman DomingoColman Domingo is pure class in Valentino.Getty ImagesKendall JennerKendall Jenner champions the polka dot at the 6th Academy Museum Gala.FilmMagicTeyana TaylorIt’s corset galore for Teyana Taylor at the Academy Museum Gala.FilmMagicJacob ElordiJacob Elordi channelled James Bond in his Bottega Veneta suit… A clue, perhaps?FilmMagicHailey BieberBaby pink was the colour of the day for Hailey Bieber and her Chanel dress.Getty ImagesSabrina CarpenterSabrina Carpenter stuns in a cut-out blue dress.Getty ImagesConnor StorrieConnor Storrie could stop traffic in his Saint Laurent ensemble.Getty ImagesRoséRosé wore a sheer custom black dress by Saint Laurent at the Academy Museum Gala.Getty ImagesKim KardashianKim Kardashian hops on-board the old Hollywood glamour train.Getty ImagesAndrew GarfieldAndrew Garfield rocks long locks at the Academy Museum Gala.Getty ImagesKylie MinogueAustralia’s queen of pop Kylie Minogue at the Academy Museum Gala.FilmMagicKate HudsonKate Hudson glows in a custom Armani Privé gown.FilmMagicA$AP RockyA$AP Rocky looks as dapper as ever in Chanel.Getty ImagesCharlize TheronCharlize Theron in Tom Ford by Haider Ackermann.FilmMagicPamela AndersonPamela Anderson looks radiant in her make-up-free look at the Academy Museum Gala.Getty ImagesAlexander SkarsgårdYou can always count on Alexander Skarsgård to strike a look on a red carpet.Getty ImagesMikey MadisonMikey Madison pops among a sea of otherwise relatively muted colours.Getty ImagesJoseph ZadaRising Sydney star Joseph Zada attends the Academy Museum Gala for the first time.Getty ImagesEmily RatajkowskiEmily Ratajkowski stuns in a form-fitting red gown.Getty ImagesInde NavarretteWe’re obsessed with Obsession star Inde Navarrette’s polka-dotted dress.FilmMagicAmanda SeyfriedAmanda Seyfried is radiant in a Prada gown at the Academy Museum Gala.Getty ImagesMake the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.Nell Geraets is a Culture reporter at The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners