From Sabyasachi to Gaurav Gupta: Indian designers who quietly dominated the Oscars 2026 red carpet

While the spotlight at the 98th Academy Awards might be on the couture and fine silhouettes draped on the actors, the powerful fashion designers are the real heroes who make things work. And this time at the Oscars 2026 red carpet, Indian designers silently made an impact, with their work looking like cultural storytelling art. From Sabyasachi jewels to Gaurav Gupta couture, let’s see who all rocked the international notes.

‘K-Pop: Demon Hunter’ bagged two Oscars this year, where the lead, Rei Ami, wore a handcrafted Rahul Mishra couture, which looked absolutely iconic. She picked a shimmering little black dress and teamed it with an oversized black couture jacket, which came with a sheer long train and feather detailing at the back. The sharp V-neckline with intricate golden embroidery and iconic bird motif indeed stole the show.

(Image Credits: Instagram)

‘Sinners’ was nominated in 16 categories and bagged four Oscars, where the actor Li Jun Li, who played the role of Grace Chow, wore a Gaurav Gupta ensemble. Walking in a signature GG fit, she picked a red sculpted down gown, which was called the ‘Inner Flame’ and featured a sculpted red satin corset top with fluid architectural drape and a daring high-thigh slit satin skirt finished with lace-up detailing at the back.

(Image Credits: Instagram)

Well, Sabyasachi couture didn’t make the cut, but his jewellery pieces surely did. Actress Ginnifer Goodwin, wearing a black strapless sculpted gown, opted for a Sabyasachi piece and an 18K gold necklace crafted with mint tourmaline, emeralds, and brilliant-cut diamonds. On the other hand, ‘Mean Girls’ star Rachel McAdams wore a pair of Sabyasachi earrings featuring 18K gold with morganite and brilliant-cut diamonds. She also wore an 18K gold ring that featured sapphires and brilliant-cut diamonds.

(Image Credits: Instagram)

Hollywood actress Tamron Hall stole the show in a customised Bhibhu Mohapatra gown. Tamron picked the ivory column gown featuring delicate Odisha ikat embroidery, which is a century-old textile from the Indian state of Odisha. She completed the look with dramatic stone faille angel wings, which brought quite a lot of drama to the overall look.