Hollywood’s biggest night extended well past the Dolby Theatre this year, and few guests made a bigger impression at the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscars after-party than Emily Ratajkowski. The model and actress showed up at the event, which was held at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, known as LACMA, for the very first time in the party’s history. Her choice of venue was already a conversation starter before anyone even caught a glimpse of what she was wearing. That changed quickly once she stepped onto the silver-gray carpet and the flashbulbs started going off.
Ratajkowski arrived in a deep wine-colored velvet gown designed by Conner Ives, a label that has been gaining serious traction in fashion circles for its bold, body-conscious cuts. The dress was built around dramatic side cutouts that immediately drew the eye and became the undeniable centerpiece of the entire look. Rather than leaning into flashy embellishments or heavy ornamentation, the design let the construction speak for itself, and it spoke loudly. The wine hue was a sophisticated departure from the typical red-carpet choices that evening, and it worked beautifully against the neutral backdrop of the venue’s carpet.
The gown itself was an architectural feat in velvet, featuring a plunging cowl neckline held up by just two thin straps that traced her shoulders before dropping into a completely open back. The silhouette ran long and column-like, with the fabric gathering gently at the waist to follow the natural lines of her figure without being overly restrictive. It was the kind of dress that requires a great deal of confidence to pull off, and Ratajkowski wore it with what can only be described as effortless authority. The combination of the exposed back, the open sides, and the deep neckline created a look that was simultaneously daring and refined.
Her styling choices complemented the gown rather than competing with it. She wore her dark brunette hair down and loose, split cleanly at the center part in a way that framed her face without pulling attention away from the dress. Her makeup leaned into a moody aesthetic with smoky eyes that felt perfectly in tune with the velvet’s richness, paired with a nude-rose lip that kept the overall effect from feeling too heavy. She chose to skip statement jewelry entirely, a bold call that ended up being the right one, since the dress itself carried more than enough visual weight on its own.
This after-party appearance came on the heels of a strong run for Ratajkowski on the international fashion circuit. She had recently been turning heads at Paris Fashion Week as well, where she consistently showed up in looks that balanced edge with elegance. The Vanity Fair party placed her squarely back in the spotlight on home turf, and she delivered. Among the many celebrities photographed on the silver-gray carpet that night, she stood out as one of the most visually arresting guests of the entire event.
Conner Ives, the designer behind the gown, is a British-American label founded by the Central Saint Martins graduate of the same name. Ives has become known for incorporating vintage and upcycled textiles into contemporary silhouettes, and his work has attracted a loyal following among celebrities and fashion editors who appreciate clothes with both a story and a strong point of view. Being worn by someone of Ratajkowski’s profile at one of Hollywood’s most-watched events is the kind of visibility that can define a designer’s trajectory.
Emily Ratajkowski first rose to widespread public attention through her appearance in the 2013 Robin Thicke music video and later her role in the film ‘Gone Girl’ alongside Ben Affleck. Over the years she has cultivated a reputation not only as a model but also as a businesswoman and author, having published a well-received essay collection titled ‘My Body’ in 2021 that addressed themes of beauty, objectification, and female autonomy. Her fashion choices have always been an extension of that public persona, consistently pushing against conventional expectations while remaining rooted in a clear aesthetic sensibility.
The Vanity Fair Oscar Party itself has been one of Hollywood’s most coveted invitations since it began in 1994, originally conceived as an alternative gathering during a period when Vanity Fair wanted to carve out its own space in the awards season calendar. Over the decades it evolved into the definitive post-ceremony celebration, drawing a mix of major film stars, musicians, athletes, and cultural figures under one roof. The move to LACMA for the 2026 edition marked a notable shift for an event that had long been associated with other iconic Los Angeles venues, and it added an extra layer of cultural prestige to the proceedings.
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