Christian Siriano is making it work for Emmys 2026.
In fact, the fashion designer had to deliver a gown he made for a celebrity attending the Sept. 14 ceremony across the country last-minute while overseeing the hectic runway preparations for his New York Fashion Week presentation at the same time.
“I just finished a dress one hour ago that literally an intern had to run to FedEx,” he exclusively told E! News’ Keltie Knight backstage at the Christian Siriano Spring/Summer 2027 show on Sept. 10. “I hope it makes it.”
What’s more stressful, Siriano had to finish the Emmys dress while hair and make-up was “still being done” on the models walking in his own fashion show, which was attended by Evan Rachel Wood, Mena Suvari, JoJo, <a href="https://eonline.com/news/brandy” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”>Brandy, Billy Porter, Debra Messing and more.Â
“That’s intense,” the 40-year-old quipped. “There’s no models in clothes, so that’s scary.”
And crafting looks for the Emmys while simultaneously working on New York Fashion Week was indeed a gauntlet. As he explained, the dresses he made for the award show—taking place at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater—were “all over the board.”Â
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“I had really ethereal to really vampy,” the Project Runwayalum revealed. “People are going for different things.”
As such, he has “no idea” what will be the dominate style trend at this year’s Emmys, which will be hosted by Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay.
“I think we’re gonna see a lot,” Siriano predicted. “Maybe it’ll be not so sexy. I think it’s going to be a little more lady, elegance.”
But whatever the case may be, he hopes attendees will bring their fashion A-game.
Jamie McCarthy/ for Christian Siriano
“I’m not a fan of underdressing,” Siriano noted. “I rather see someone overdress at a party.”
That’s why he treasures his working relationship with known method dresser Zendaya, who is up for her third Emmy for Euphoria this year.
“She’s one of the first people I’ve ever dressed and I was one of her first designers, which is why she still wears me 20 years late,” Siriano said, describing his bond with the actress and her longtime stylist Law Roach as “crazy.”
“We were babies, we were literally little kids,” he marveled. “It’s really been a great journey to work with both of them all these years later. It feels really good that she’s become the style icon that she has.”
And to see some of the best looks to have ever graced the Emmys red carpet, keep reading…
Tommaso Boddi/Getty ImagesSeth RogenThe Studio star’s custom Etro tuxedo at the 2025 award show was more than Supergood.Kevin Mazur/Getty ImagesJenna OrtegaTwo snaps are in order for the Wednesday star’s jewel-encrusted Givenchy look at the 2025 award show. Rich Fury/Getty ImagesAnya Taylor-JoyHello yellow! The Queen’s Gambit actress glowed in her bright Dior dress with Tiffany & Co. jewelry at the 2021 award show. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty ImagesZendayaThe Euphoria star took the red carpet by storm for the 2019 ceremony. From the vibrant emerald green hue to the sheer corset bodice, her custom Vera Wang dress was one to remember.Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesReese WitherspoonThe Big Little Lies star shined bright at the 2022 ceremony in a glitzy blue strapless gown.Jim Smeal/WireImageAngelina JolieA total stunner! The actress made a grand entrance at the 1998 star-studded ceremony with this body-hugging blush gown.Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesSusan Kelechi WatsonThe This Is Us actress shined as bright as the cameras in this shimmery off-the-shoulder gown.Getty ImagesJoan CollinsKnown for her ~extra~ glamorous fashion sense, the Dynasty star brought the drama to the 1987 awards ceremony with this red-hot gown.Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesTracee Ellis RossThe Black-ish star showed up and showed out in this hot pink Valentino Haute Couture gown.Trae Patton/NBC via Getty ImagesQuinta BrunsonThe Abbott Elementary star lit up the red carpet in a glitzy metallic bronze getup.Rich Fury/Getty ImagesEllen PompeoWho says you have to wear a dress? The Grey’s Anatomy star switched things up in 2021 by wearing an Elie Saab black velvet jumpsuit with crystal embroidery. John Shearer/WireImagePriyanka ChopraThe actress was a vision in white as she graced the red carpet in a dreamy custom-made Balmain gown.John Shearer/WireImageViola DavisOrange you glad the legendary star added a pop of color to the 2017 Emmys? The answer is yes.David Fisher/REX/ShutterstockMichelle DockeryThe 2018 Emmy nominee brought whimsy and magic to the star-studded ceremony with a baby blue number by Carolina Herrera.Jordan Strauss/Invision/APKeri RussellThe Hollywood star sizzled in a sexy feathered black dress at the 2018 Emmys.Steve Granitz/Getty ImagesJanuary JonesThis figure-flattering Versace peplum stole the show at the 2009 Emmys. While the dress had a futuristic feel, it still has classic details that make it timeless. J. Merritt/Getty ImagesClaire FoySometimes less is more. And in this case, it worked with Claire’s ultra-chic black jumpsuit by Oscar de la Renta.Getty ImagesRue McClanahanAll that glitters is gold and Rue proved it with a glitzy design at the 1990 Emmys.Rob Latour/Shutterstock for PEOPLEElle FanningElle most certainly brought old-Hollywood glamour to the 2022 event.Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesRegina KingKing lit up the 2018 awards show with her highlighter-green Christian Siriano gown.Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesKim CattrallThe Sex and the City star sparkled in a daring and dazzling cut-out dress at the 2003 event.Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesNina DobrevTalk about red-hot. The Vampire Diaries alum knocked ’em dead with a fiery strapless Donna Karan number in 2011.Jordan Strauss/Invision/APTaraji P. HensonThe Empire star made a statement in a custom yellow Vera Wang dress at the 2016 Emmys.Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/ShutterstockIssa RaeLooking like a modern-day Cinderella, the Insecure star turned heads in a bedazzled baby blue jumpsuit by Vera Wang. “There are 3,000 crystals on my dress right now. I was like, are you serious right now,” she told E! News. Rob Latour/ShutterstockMandy MooreThe This Is Us star dropped jaws with her wildly colorful Brandon Maxwell design.Rob Latour/ShutterstockAva DuVernayThe director glistened and glimmered on the red carpet in her Reem Acra gown at the 2019 Emmys.Getty ImagesJulia Louis-DreyfusThe actress wore a show-stopping design to the 1995 awards ceremony with this little (daring) black dress, which featured a plunging neckline and spaghetti straps.Mirek Towski/DMI/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty ImagesJennie GarthThe Beverly Hills, 90210 actress brought all the drama to the 1995 Emmys with her audacious black design, which she perfectly paired with long satin gloves and strappy heels.InstagramZendayaThe actress, who made history at the 2020 Emmys, oozed with glamour in an Armani creation that was reminiscent of the Swinging Sixties.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty ImagesKim KardashianThe Keeping Up With the Kardashians star graced the red carpet in a regal black dress that she paired with a statement-making necklace.photos
View More Photos From Best Dressed Stars Ever at the Emmys
Don’t miss the Emmy Awards 2026 live telecast Monday, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC and streaming on Peacock.
