The 2026 Critics Choice Awards have unveiled their Red Carpet Power Rankings, providing an insightful look into the fashion landscape of the awards season. Ariana Grande claimed the top spot, demonstrating the immense influence of social media in amplifying celebrity style. Her choice of attire, combined with her vast online following, propelled her and the designers she wore to the forefront of the fashion conversation. Conversely, Timoth\u00e9e Chalamet's absence from the red carpet led to a notable drop in his ranking, underscoring how crucial public appearances remain for maintaining visibility despite a strong online presence. These rankings, a collaboration between The Hollywood Reporter and Launchmetrics, utilize a sophisticated algorithm to quantify the media impact and engagement generated by celebrities and brands at major events. This year's analysis covers five significant awards ceremonies, offering a comprehensive overview of evolving fashion trends and star power dynamics.
Critics Choice Awards: Fashion Dominance and Shifting Influences
The highly anticipated 2026 Critics Choice Awards, held on Sunday, January 4th, served as the initial barometer for awards season fashion, revealing compelling shifts in celebrity influence and brand visibility. At the forefront of this sartorial spectacle was pop superstar Ariana Grande, whose ensemble by Alberta Ferretti not only garnered widespread acclaim but also propelled the brand to the top of the fashion power rankings. Grande's staggering 372 million Instagram followers proved to be a pivotal factor, demonstrating how a single social media post can translate into immense media impact.
A notable trend emerged with Timoth\u00e9e Chalamet, who opted to bypass the traditional red carpet entrance, making his first appearance inside Santa Monica's Barker Hangar alongside Kylie Jenner during the host's monologue. This decision, while perhaps personal, resulted in a significant dip in Chalamet's fashion ranking, emphasizing that even global stars can experience a diminished media footprint without the direct engagement of a red carpet walk. His Givenchy suit, though stylish, did not achieve the same level of impact as his peers who graced the carpet.
The comprehensive Red Carpet Power Rankings, a joint venture between The Hollywood Reporter and Launchmetrics, meticulously analyze the monetary value of media impressions across various categories, including fashion, watches, jewelry, and accessories. This year, the analysis extends across five major awards events: the Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globes, Grammys, The Actor Awards (formerly SAG Awards), and the Academy Awards, culminating with the Met Gala in May. The data revealed several other key players: Elle Fanning's selection of a vintage gold gown from Ralph Lauren's archives secured the brand a high placement, while Louis Vuitton and Dior leveraged their extensive roster of celebrity dressings to achieve prominent positions.
Perhaps the most intriguing story came from Versace, which secured a strong ranking despite dressing only one celebrity. Kylie Jenner's vintage 1996 lace and chainmail gown, sourced from Tab Vintage, became a viral sensation. Jenner's post to her 391 million Instagram followers, coupled with extensive coverage from Vogue, illustrated that for some mega-influencers, a physical red carpet appearance is not the sole determinant of impact.
Among women, Teyana Taylor of 'One Battle After Another' made a bold statement with her menswear-inspired Saint Laurent look, signaling her as a rising fashion icon. Her co-star, Chase Infiniti, also turned heads with a vibrant custom yellow crepe georgette gown, showcasing a refreshing departure from conventional black attire. For men, Jacob Elordi, star of 'Frankenstein,' unexpectedly soared to the top, benefiting from Chalamet's absence. His classic Bottega Veneta suit and Cartier jewelry earned a substantial MIV of $1.4 million. Michael B. Jordan also captivated attention in a striking burgundy Louis Vuitton suit, paired with Christian Louboutin boots and David Yurman jewels, hinting at a strong awards season presence.
In the jewelry and watch categories, Sarah Snook's emerald and diamond Chopard earrings at the Critics Choice Awards were a highlight, contributing to Chopard's leading MIV of $2 million. Swarovski also saw a significant boost, largely due to Ariana Grande's ambassadorial role and the integration of Swarovski crystals into her gown, generating an MIV of $1.5 million. Tiffany & Co. maintained a strong third place, dressing a diverse array of stars including Teyana Taylor and Meghann Fahy.
Christian Louboutin dominated the accessory rankings, with both Grande and Jordan sporting the brand's iconic red-soled footwear. The ongoing rivalry between Louboutin and Jimmy Choo is expected to continue throughout the season, while Manolo Blahnik secured its position through endorsements from Fanning and other notable actresses. Surprisingly, Tyler Ellis and Stuart Weitzman also made the top five, driven by celebrity endorsements and strategic product placements.
As the awards season progresses to the Golden Globe Awards, scheduled for Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ Premium, the fashion world eagerly anticipates further elevated style statements from these influential figures, demonstrating the dynamic interplay between celebrity, fashion, and media impact.
The detailed fashion rankings from the Critics Choice Awards offer a fascinating insight into the evolving landscape of celebrity influence and brand power in the digital age. It's clear that while the red carpet remains a significant platform, social media presence and strategic styling choices are increasingly dictating who and what captivates public attention. The 'Media Impact Value' (MIV) metric effectively quantifies this influence, moving beyond mere visibility to assess genuine engagement and financial impact for brands. This annual tradition not only celebrates sartorial excellence but also serves as a crucial barometer for understanding the commercial and cultural power of celebrity fashion. The lessons learned from this year's Critics Choice Awards will undoubtedly shape red carpet strategies for the remainder of the awards season, prompting stars and their stylists to consider both their physical presence and digital footprint in equal measure.