As the first main occasion of the 2026 Awards season, all eyes have been on the Golden Globes final night time as a few of the world’s largest celebrities and movie stars descended on the purple carpet in Los Angeles for the event. Not solely did the occasion present a much-needed dose of glitz and glamour amid the relentless gray and gloom of January, nevertheless it additionally set the tone for all the ceremonies nonetheless to come back—by way of superstar type, at the very least.
And if there was one unmistakable takeaway, it was the dominance of the black gown. Long a logo of understated glamour and traditional Hollywood class, the perennial wardrobe staple returned in full drive at the 2026 Golden Globes—however this time, it felt much less like a secure alternative and extra like an announcement.
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The sheer variety of stars who opted to put on a black gown for the occasion was notable in itself: BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Ayo Edebiri, Jenna Ortega, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Garner, Leslie Mann, Teyana Taylor, Aimee Lou Wood, Ana De Armas and Miley Cyrus, to call however just a few of the most main. Of course, these have been interspersed with celebrities carrying extra vibrant and usually sparkly ensembles, however there is not any denying that black was the standout shade of the night time—and in these volumes, it might probably’t be mere coincidence.
While I can not converse to every superstar’s exact motivations, the bleak state of the world proper now and up to date stunning occasions dangle like a darkish cloud over proceedings, even in the higher echelons of Hollywood society. In the US particularly, this does not precisely really feel like a second to be celebrated: the previous few weeks alone have seen a number of ICE shootings, large-scale protests, unprecedented navy operations, controversial coverage strikes, and ever-more-inflammatory statements popping out of the White House.
The prominence of black, with its sombre connotations, felt suited to the temper. Some celebrities went a step additional by alluding to world affairs of their acceptance speeches, whereas the likes of Mark Ruffalo, Natasha Lyonne, Ariana Grande and Wanda Sykes wore “Be Good” and “ICE Out” pins in help of anti-ICE protesters.
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With this in thoughts, the black attire that dominated the 2026 Golden Globes felt much less like a return to traditional glamour, and extra like a collective acknowledgement. Fashion has all the time mirrored the second it exists in, and this purple carpet was no exception. Against a backdrop of uncertainty, grief and unrest, black provides a method to present up, take part, and be seen—with out pretending that every part is ok. It’s a delicate, sartorial mourning for the state of the world, if you’ll—and a method for Hollywood to decorate for darker occasions.