2026 CDGA Awards Photos: Best Of The Red Carpet and Award Ceremony

The global spotlight turned to the intricate art of storytelling through fabric on Thursday night as the 28th Costume Designers Guild Awards (CDGA) took over the historic Ebell of Los Angeles. In a ceremony defined by both glamour and technical mastery, actor Courtney Hope led the festivities, celebrating the visionaries who define the visual language of modern cinema and television.

The evening brought together an assembly of talent to honor the Guild’s more than 1,200 members. Highlighting the night’s prestige was a heavy-hitting roster of presenters, including Tracee Ellis Ross, Janelle Monáe, and Academy Award-winning costume designer Deborah L. Scott. Other notable stars taking the stage to recognize their colleagues included Katherine LaNasa, Samba Schutte, Jodie Turner-Smith, Damon Wayans, and Sasheer Zamata.

RELATED: ‘Frankenstein’, ‘One Battle After Another’ & ‘Wicked: For Good’ Take Film Prizes At Costume Designers Guild Awards – Full List

While the competitive categories kept the audience on the edge of their seats, the program was anchored by several legendary honorees. Celebrated designer Michelle Cole received the Career Achievement Award for her indelible impact on the industry, while visionary director James Cameron was recognized with the Distinguished Collaborator Award for his career-long dedication to the synergy between directing and costume design. Additionally, the Guild presented the Spotlight Award to Kate Hudson and the Vanguard Spotlight to Teyana Taylor, honoring their respective influences on style and visual media.

The CDGA remains a unique fixture in the awards season, focusing exclusively on the designers, assistant designers, and illustrators whose work spans motion pictures, commercials, and emerging media. By bringing together actors, filmmakers, and artists, the ceremony serves as the premier annual celebration of those who bridge the gap between character and clothing. As the 28th ceremony concludes, the industry looks forward to another year of innovation from the Guild’s global membership.