Gracie Abrams in Chanel at the 2026 BAFTA Awards

Gracie Abrams just delivered an instant icon at the 2026 BAFTA Awards, definitively cementing her status as the vanguard of modern, moody elegance. Styled by Spencer Singer , with makeup by Emily Cheng , hair by Fabio Petri , and a minimalist manicure by Georgia Rae , Abrams opted for a sheer, intricately embroidered dark gown straight from the Chanel Pre-Fall 2026 collection. Rejecting traditional, overt opulence, the look was an exercise in “cool girl” luxury—a masterclass in subtle subversion where the delicate collision of romantic architecture and an arresting edge effectively redefined red-carpet dressing for the upcoming season.

• Textural Depth: The Chanel gown was not merely a textile, but a tactile exploration of light and shadow, featuring a sheer base meticulously adorned with complex, botanical-inspired turquoise embroidery.
• The Calculated “Bixie”: The look’s defining structural element was above the neck. A sleek, side-parted “bixie” cut—the intentional hybrid of a bob and pixie—acted as a sharp, modern foil to the gown’s inherent romance.

• Subdued Restraint: In a clever styling maneuver, accessories were kept intentionally minimal. The Chanel N°5 Cascade ring and Coco Crush earrings operated not as focal points, but as quiet, architectural punctuation to the dark silhouette.

• The Narrative Shift: Marking her official, “hard-launch” red carpet debut alongside Paul Mescal , Abrams successfully utilized her appearance to signal a transition from ingénue to established fashion force.