Honestly, whenever the award season rolls around, there’s usually a handful of people I actually care about seeing on the red carpet. You have your usual suspects—the ones who play it safe in a black tux or a predictable floor-length sequin number. But then you have someone like Ashley Graham.
Basically, she’s turned the Ashley Graham Golden Globes appearances into a masterclass in how to actually handle a red carpet without looking like you're trying too hard. It’s weirdly rare to see someone look that comfortable while being photographed by a thousand cameras at once.
The Evolution of the Ashley Graham Golden Globes Style
If you look back at her history with the Globes, it’s not just about one dress. It’s about the fact that she’s transitioned from being the "guest" to being the person literally everyone wants to talk to. At the 82nd Annual Golden Globes back in 2025, she absolutely floored everyone in that Bach Mai gown.
It was this black, plunging situation with a naval-grazing cut-out. Most people would be terrified of a wardrobe malfunction in something that structured, but she just... didn't care? Or at least, she didn't look like she did. That’s the thing about her—she carries the clothes; the clothes don't carry her.
Fast forward to the 2026 Golden Globes, which just wrapped up a few days ago at the Beverly Hilton. This year was a bit of a mess for everyone because of the construction at the hotel. They actually had to swap the flat red carpet for a staircase setup, kinda like the Met Gala. While some stars looked like they were struggling not to trip over their hems, Graham used it like a runway.
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That 2025 Bach Mai Moment
People are still talking about the 2025 look because it was so aggressive in its simplicity.
- The Designer: Bach Mai, who is becoming a massive deal for red carpet "sculptural" fashion.
- The Vibe: High-octane glamour meets "I'm here to work."
- The Beauty: She kept it affordable, which is sort of hilarious. She actually used a full face of Revlon (specifically the ColorStay line and the Pinkcognito blush) to prove you don't need a $10,000 facial to look like a million bucks.
Why the 2026 Golden Globes Felt Different
This year, the energy was shifted. Maybe it was Nikki Glaser hosting and roasting everyone from Leonardo DiCaprio to the producers, or maybe it was just the new "motion-focused" red carpet. Ashley wasn't just there to pose; she was hosting for WWD again.
When you're hosting, you have to be mobile. You can't be trapped in a corset that prevents you from breathing or speaking. Her 2026 approach felt a bit more "editorial." She’s moved away from the standard "bombshell" silhouettes and started playing with more avant-garde textures.
The Shift to "New Hollywood"
There’s this trend lately—and we saw it at the Globes this year with stars like Ariana Grande and Jennifer Lawrence—where the "naked dress" is being replaced by heavy tailoring or archival callbacks. Graham is right at the center of this. She’s been leaning into the BOSS aesthetic lately (remember that pinstripe wool dress she wore to the Met Gala last year?).
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It’s less about "look at my body" and more about "look at this silhouette." It’s a subtle distinction, but it’s why she’s stayed relevant while other models from her era have kinda faded into the background of influencer-dom.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Red Carpet Strategy
People think she just shows up and looks good. That’s not it. There’s a massive amount of technical work that goes into an Ashley Graham Golden Globes appearance.
For instance, her stylist, Oscar Montes de Oca, has talked before about how they only have a few days to custom-build these gowns. Because she’s a size 14/16, she can’t just pull a sample off a rack like a size 0 actress. Everything—and I mean everything—is engineered.
- Internal Architecture: Most of her gowns have built-in corsetry that would make a Victorian lady faint.
- Fabric Choice: She often opts for heavy velvets or structured pinstripe wools because they hold their shape under the harsh heat of those massive TV lights.
- The "Malfunction" Plan: After she spilled mint oil on her dress right before the 2025 Met Gala, her team now travels with an arsenal of brooches and "emergency" accessories. You’ll notice she often has a piece of statement jewelry nearby—it’s often a literal "safety" pin disguised as diamonds.
Why We’re Still Obsessed With Her
Honestly? It’s because she’s human. In her Substack posts and Instagram stories, she’s the first person to admit when the elevator stops working or when she’s sweating through her spanx.
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At the most recent Globes, while everyone else was trying to look perfectly poised, she was actually doing the work of interviewing the winners. Seeing her navigate a conversation with someone like Cillian Murphy or Quinta Brunson while wearing twenty pounds of custom fabric is impressive. It’s a job, and she treats it like one.
How to Channel the Graham Energy (Without the Designer Budget)
You don't need a Bach Mai original to pull off the Ashley Graham Golden Globes vibe. It’s mostly about the mindset of "intentional" dressing.
- Tailoring is King: If you buy something off the rack, take it to a tailor. Even a $50 dress looks expensive if the waist hits in the right spot.
- Drugstore Glam: Take a page out of her book and use Revlon or other accessible brands. The secret isn't the price of the pigment; it's the blending.
- Structural Support: Invest in high-quality base layers. Ashley has never been shy about the fact that she wears shapewear to feel secure, not just to "slim down."
- Own the Space: If the "carpet" changes—like the 2026 staircase situation—don't fight it. Use the environment to show off the movement of whatever you’re wearing.
The 2026 awards season is just getting started, but it’s already clear that the bar has been set. Whether she's wearing 500 hours of hand-placed Swarovski crystals or a pinstripe suit, Ashley Graham continues to be the blueprint for how to handle fame with a bit of humor and a lot of style.
If you're looking to upgrade your own formal style, start by focusing on the fit of your shoulders and the comfort of your shoes. The rest, as Ashley proves every year, is just glitter.