Ananya Panday oozes oomph in a sculptural black Chanel gown at Academy Museum Gala 2026 | Pictures

Ananya Panday made a case for understated red-carpet dressing at the 6th annual Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles, stepping away from elaborate silhouettes in favour of a sculptural black Chanel gown. The Bollywood actor joined a star-studded guest list featuring Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber and Charlize Theron at the prestigious event.

As Chanel’s first-ever brand ambassador in India, Ananya turned to the French luxury house for her red-carpet appearance. She wore a sleeveless black gown from the brand’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection, bringing a restrained yet distinctive take on eveningwear to one of Hollywood’s biggest fashion nights.

The gown relied on its construction rather than embellishment to make an impression. Fluid draping and carefully placed pleats ran along its length, while a cinched section around the middle created a rounded, balloon-like silhouette. An asymmetrical hemline added another dimension to the otherwise monochromatic look, with the front cut shorter to reveal her black pumps before extending into a floor-grazing train at the back.

A cluster of chunky ornamental jewels around the neckline broke up the expanse of black, serving as both a decorative detail and a built-in statement necklace. The unusual embellishment added a touch of colour without taking away from the gown's minimalist appeal.

Ananya kept the rest of her accessories equally understated. She carried a black Chanel clutch, wore tiny silver earrings and finished the look with a couple of gold rings. The mix of metallic accents offered a subtle contrast to the all-black ensemble.

Her beauty look followed the same pared-back approach. Glossy brown hair, styled in voluminous curls, framed her face, while dewy skin, a bronzed glow and nude lips kept the makeup fresh. Kohl-rimmed eyes and a delicate winged liner added definition without overwhelming the look.

The appearance reflected a different side of red-carpet glamour, with Ananya allowing the gown's draping, proportions and neckline to take centre stage rather than relying on heavy embellishment or a dramatic colour palette.

What Is the Academy Museum Gala?

The Academy Museum Gala is an annual black-tie fundraising event organised by the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. The event raises funds to support the museum's exhibitions, film screenings and educational programmes, while bringing together prominent names from cinema, fashion and the arts.

The sixth edition of the gala featured several notable honourees, including Charlize Theron, who received the Icon Award; filmmaker John Carpenter, who was presented with the Luminary Award; and Colman Domingo, who received the Vantage Award. The evening also featured a special performance by Taylor Swift.

The gala was co-chaired by Tom Ford, Robert Rodriguez, Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw. Among the other celebrities in attendance were Dakota and Elle Fanning, Maya Hawke, Karlie Kloss, McKenna Grace, Ella Rubin, Hunter Schafer, Kristen Wiig, Sofia Richie Grainge, Naomi Ackie, Mia Goth, Sarah Pidgeon, Whitney Peak, Cole Escola, Brittany Snow and Anna Kendrick.