It’s been a long, pink road. For nearly three years, Ariana Grande has been so deeply embedded in her Wicked method-dressing era that we almost forgot what she looked like without a swatch of petal-soft tulle or a shimmering pastel wing. But something shifted at the start of 2026. If you were watching the 2026 Golden Globes, you saw it: the bubble has officially burst.
Stepping onto the carpet in a massive, structured black Vivienne Westwood Couture gown, Ariana basically signaled the end of an era. It wasn't just a dress. It was a funeral for Glinda. Honestly, the fashion world has been waiting for this "dark turn" ever since the first Wicked film wrapped, and seeing her back in a high ponytail with a moody, corseted silhouette felt like a homecoming.
The 2026 Golden Globes: The "Anti-Glinda" Pivot
Everyone expected one last hurrah in pink. Instead, Ariana went full gothic royalty. The Ariana Grande black dress that everyone is buzzing about featured a draped, corseted bodice—a Westwood signature—and a dramatic velvet bow. It was heavy, it was serious, and it was a sharp 180-degree turn from the airy Alberta Ferretti she’d worn just a week prior at the Critics Choice Awards.
People are calling it "Glinda’s Funeral," and they aren't totally wrong. Grande herself admitted during a January 2026 Q&A that she’s "at peace" with leaving the character behind. She told the press that while she "loved the girl in the bubble," she needed to find her own skin again to start making new music. The black dress was the visual period at the end of that sentence.
She didn't just stop at the gown. The hair changed too. After years of that "Glinda blonde" that sparked a thousand TikTok tutorials (and just as many debates about her hair health), she’s back to her natural brunette roots. It’s a darker, more grounded look that matches this new wardrobe shift.
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Why the Black Dress Matters for Her Brand
Black has always been Ariana’s "power color" when she’s not playing a character. Think back to the 2019 Givenchy campaign. She was the face of the brand, shot in black-and-white portraits by Craig McDean, wearing a sleek "Little Black Dress" that echoed Audrey Hepburn. It was sophisticated. It was "Arivenchy."
That campaign wasn't just about selling bags; it was about elevating her from a "pop princess" to a high-fashion muse. When she wears black, the focus shifts from her persona to her silhouette. Her longtime stylist Law Roach has famously said that her "ponytail, mini skirt, and boots" are so iconic they belong in the Smithsonian. But when she swaps the mini for a floor-length black gown, it’s a sign she’s asking to be taken seriously as an actress and a legacy artist.
The Secret "Third Dress" at the Oscars
If you think the Golden Globes look was a one-off, you missed the 2025 Oscars. Most people remember her red carpet appearance and her performance outfit with Cynthia Erivo. But there was a secret third dress that only the eagle-eyed caught.
- The Look: A sheer, beaded black mini dress.
- The Origin: A vintage Fendi piece from the Fall 2019 Couture collection.
- The Significance: This was the last collection designed by Karl Lagerfeld before he passed away.
She wore it to an after-party, and it was arguably the coolest she’d looked in years. It was flirty but edgy, with intricate lacing across the chest. It proved that even when she’s leaning into "Old Hollywood" for the cameras, her personal taste still skews toward that dark, slightly rebellious aesthetic she championed during the Dangerous Woman days.
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Breaking Down the "Gothic Glinda" Trend
Throughout the Wicked: For Good press tour in late 2025, we started seeing what fashion critics called "Gothic Glinda." It was a hybrid style. She kept the voluminous shapes of a princess gown but rendered them in noir fabrics.
Take her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in November 2025. She wore a 1930s vintage black gown sourced from Amarcord Vintage Fashion. It had these tiny, delicate emerald green leaves embroidered on the skirt—a subtle nod to the Emerald City—but the overall vibe was pure Elphaba-coded.
"I love that they put her in black... perhaps on theme with the second movie? The dress is so Glinda but goth!" — Fan sentiment on Reddit's r/whatthefrockk.
The 2025 VMAs Change-Up
At the 2025 VMAs, she did it again. She arrived in a polka-dot Fendi gown with a pink peplum (very 80s, very polarizing). But then, she pulled the ultimate switch. To present the Vanguard Award to her idol, Mariah Carey, she changed into a sheer, plunging black Tamara Ralph gown.
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It featured:
- Dramatic ruffle sleeves.
- A cinched, corseted waist.
- Floor-grazing sheer fabric.
It was a "passing of the torch" moment, and she chose to do it in black. It felt like she was shedding the costume of the "Good Witch" right there on stage.
How to Get the Look Without a Couture Budget
You don't need a Vivienne Westwood contact to pull off the current Ariana aesthetic. The "Ariana Grande black dress" vibe is really about three things: structure, texture, and the right accessories.
- Focus on the Corset: Ariana’s 2026 looks are all about the waist. Look for "milkmaid" tops or bodycon dresses with built-in boning. It gives that regal look without the price tag of a custom gown.
- Mix Your Fabrics: Notice how she often pairs velvet with sheer tulle or satin. If you’re wearing an all-black outfit, mixing textures keeps it from looking flat in photos.
- The Accessory Rule: Since her 2026 Golden Globes look, she’s been opting out of heavy necklaces. Instead, go for diamond (or crystal) stud earrings and let the neckline of the dress do the talking.
- The Hair: If you’re doing the ponytail, keep it sleek. She’s moved away from the "fluffy" pony of 2018 and toward a tighter, more "ballet-core" look.
Final Insights on the Fashion Shift
Ariana Grande’s move back to black isn't just a trend; it's a strategic rebranding. After years of being synonymous with pink, she is reclaiming her identity as she moves into the next phase of her career. Whether it's a 1930s vintage find or a custom Westwood masterpiece, the black dress is her way of saying she’s grown up.
If you're looking to update your wardrobe, start by investing in a high-quality "Little Black Dress" with a structured bodice. It’s the most versatile piece you can own, and as Ariana has proven from 2019 to 2026, it never goes out of style.
Next Steps for Your Style Transition:
- Identify one "character-coded" color you've been wearing too much and replace it with a structured neutral like charcoal or noir.
- Look for vintage silhouettes (1930s–1950s) at local thrift or consignment shops to mimic her recent red carpet "discovery" style.
- Swap heavy statement jewelry for minimalist studs to draw more attention to your outfit's tailoring.