The 2026 EBONY Power 100 Gala delivered plenty of glamour, but some celebrities took a more unconventional approach to red carpet dressing. From revealing cut-outs and sheer fabrics to dramatic corsets and unexpected colour combinations, the blue carpet showcased some of the night's boldest fashion choices.
Held at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on Monday, 9 November 2026, the annual celebration honoured influential Black figures across entertainment, business, music, and culture. The event, themed 'The Stories We Shape,' brought together stars embracing everything from classic Hollywood elegance to experimental statement dressing.
While some attendees favoured understated gowns and traditional tailoring, others challenged expectations with striking silhouettes and elaborate styling. Brandy, Jackie Aina, Kandi Burruss and several other guests stood out for their adventurous ensembles, raising one question: who took their fashion choices the furthest?
Brandy and Jackie Aina Embrace Bold Colours and Unusual Silhouettes
Brandy, who was among this year's Power 100 honourees, made a colourful entrance in a teal satin corset paired with a voluminous magenta skirt and sweeping train. The singer added a black fur-style stole and sheer gloves, creating a dramatic contrast between the vibrant fabrics and dark accessories.
Rather than relying on a coordinated colour palette, Brandy combined contrasting shades and textures to create a theatrical look. The oversized skirt and structured corset made her ensemble one of the evening's more unconventional fashion statements.
Beauty influencer Jackie Aina took a different approach, wearing a silver-sequinned crop top and asymmetrical skirt by Ghanaian fashion label Christie Brown. Floral cut-outs revealed sections of skin, while a gold clutch and navy satin platform shoes added further contrast. Aina's two-piece ensemble offered an alternative to the traditional floor-length gala gown, combining contemporary styling with intricate detailing.
Kandi Burruss and Trinity Tatum Experiment With Sheer Fashion
Kandi Burruss embraced a daring interpretation of black-tie glamour in a black Jagne gown featuring a sheer, ruched bodice and a distinctive cut-out at the hip. The fitted silhouette balanced the revealing details with an otherwise understated design.
Trinity Tatum also experimented with transparency, choosing a black strapless corset with lace-up detailing, paired with a sheer tulle skirt and high slit. The structured bodice contrasted with the lightweight skirt, creating a silhouette that placed emphasis on both construction and exposed fabric.
Meanwhile, Lala Milan brought another interpretation of statement dressing in an aqua-toned Valdrin Sahiti gown decorated with crystal teardrops. A sheer waist detail and mint feather shrug added texture and theatrical flair to the ensemble. Together, the three looks demonstrated how sheer fabrics, unusual construction and elaborate embellishments offered alternatives to conventional eveningwear.
Pretty Vee and Tisha Campbell Bring Unexpected Red Carpet Drama
Pretty Vee swapped traditional eveningwear fabrics for a dark brown latex gown featuring a high neckline, front zip, and flared mermaid hem. The glossy material and figure-hugging silhouette created a striking contrast with the satin and sequins seen elsewhere on the carpet.
Tisha Campbell embraced theatrical volume in a black strapless satin gown featuring a corseted bodice, ruffled peplum, and high-low skirt. Styled by J. Bolin, the actress completed the look with leather opera gloves featuring gold buckles and oversized statement earrings.
While Pretty Vee's outfit relied on its sculpted silhouette and unusual material, Campbell's ensemble drew attention through exaggerated proportions and statement accessories.
Whether these choices represented fearless creativity or excessive styling remains a matter of personal taste. However, the evening's most adventurous outfits offered plenty of fashion moments that invited both admiration and debate.
