Michael Kors Predicts End of Red Carpet 'Princess Look' at 2026 Emmys

Michael Kors is ready to officially retire one of Hollywood’s most tired red carpet staples. The veteran fashion designer wants to call time on the reign of the classic "princess look" that has dominated high-profile step-and-repeats for years. According to reports, Kors believes the era of giant, sugary ballgowns and fairy-tale skirts has officially worn out its welcome among fashion royalty. For seasons, television and movie stars have leaned heavily into voluminous tulle, oversized ball skirts, and traditional fairytale silhouettes to guarantee a head-turning moment. But Kors is looking directly toward the future of award show style, predicting that a major shift is right around the corner.

The shift won't happen overnight, but the calendar is already set. The 2026 Emmy Awards are scheduled to take place on Sept. 14, setting the deadline for Hollywood's biggest stars to overhaul their fashion playbooks. Kors' bold prediction gives stylists plenty of time to rethink their red carpet mood boards before television's glitziest evening arrives. Whether Hollywood fully heeds his advice remains to be seen, but a call for change from a designer of Kors’ stature carries serious weight. As the industry prepares for the Sept. 14, 2026 ceremony, all eyes will be on the red carpet to see if the traditional princess dress officially gets dethroned in favor of a brand-new era of celebrity style.