Sydney Sweeney Channels Marilyn Monroe, Teyana Taylor & Chase Infiniti Lead 2026 Virtuosos Award Glamour

The 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival is officially underway, and one of its most buzz-worthy events so far has been the Virtuosos Awards, which honor standout performances that have shaped the cinematic landscape over the past year.

Among the evening’s honorees were Sydney Sweeney, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti, each recognized for performances that pushed them into the spotlight and highlighted their impressive on-screen presence.

An event like this naturally calls for standout fashion, and the honorees did not disappoint. Sydney Sweeney embraced classic style in a vintage Ceil Chapman dress with Ferragamo pumps, Teyana Taylor made a statement in a bold Ashi Studio gown finished with metallic gold pumps, and Chase Infiniti leaned into modern femininity in a soft pink Louis Vuitton gown with matching pumps.

Sydney Sweeney, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti lead the glamour in striking dresses and minimalist pumps at the 41st Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival Virtuosos Award at The Arlington Theatre on February 8, 2026 (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)

With both talent and style on full display, the night celebrated not just great performances, but standout fashion, too. Let’s see who stood out the most!

Sydney Sweeney Recreates Marilyn Monroe’s 1952 Style in Vintage Ceil Chapman and Nude Ferragamo Pumps

Sydney Sweeney once again proved that classic Hollywood inspiration suits her perfectly. She has long been compared to Marilyn Monroe, and this look is one of her strongest nods yet.

Wearing a vintage Ceil Chapman dress, Sydney drew clear inspiration from Monroe’s iconic first LIFE magazine cover from April 1952. Decades later, the silhouette still works, and on the American actress, it looked timeless rather than dated.

The off-white midi dress, sourced from Timeless Vixen, featured soft ruching along the three-quarter sleeves and slightly loose cuffs. Adding just the right amount of drama, the off-the-shoulder neckline dipped low, while the tightly cinched waist contrasted with the otherwise loose fabric. I’m not usually drawn to heavy all-over draping, but here it helped create the illusion of an even more defined waist. The back of the bodice, however, appeared slightly loose, which wasn’t something I liked. The skirt skimmed her hips before tapering toward the ankles, continuing the ruched detailing for a cohesive finish.

I really liked the creamy, buttery tone of the dress against Sydney’s complexion, though I wished she had added a bit more color to the look.

Sydney Sweeney channels her inner Marilyn Monroe in a vintage Ceil Chapman off-the-shoulder drape dress, taking inspiration from Monroe’s iconic first LIFE magazine cover (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)

A Closer Look at Sydney Sweeney’s $1,090 Ferragamo Bow-Detail Slingback Pumps

Her accessories stayed minimal. She skipped a necklace and instead wore a sparkling crescent-shaped brooch at the center of the bodice, mirroring Monroe’s styling choice in the original magazine shoot. Diamond stud earrings and a diamond Octavia Elizabeth ring completed her jewelry. Sydney’s blonde hair was styled in soft, bouncy curls with a side part, paired with glowy pink makeup that highlighted her features beautifully.

To finish, Sweeney slipped into nude Ferragamo slingback pumps that blended seamlessly with the dress. Made from smooth, buttery-soft kid leather, they created a clean, seamless line from head to toe. The pointed-toe silhouette kept the shoes classic and elegant, while the slingback strap with a horseshoe buckle added a delicate, refined detail.

The slim leather strip across the toes, tied into a small bow, gave the shoes a soft, feminine touch. The slightly curved 2.7-inch heel added just enough height and brought a fresh feel to an otherwise vintage-inspired style, making the pumps feel both timeless and modern. You can get them for $1,090 at Mytheresa.

Sydney Sweeney keeps a cohesive look by pairing her off-white dress with nude Ferragamo slingback pumps featuring a bow at the vamp (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)

This wasn’t the first time Sweeney has channeled Monroe. At The Housemaid premiere, she wore a custom Galia Lahav dress reminiscent of Monroe’s iconic white look from The Seven Year Itch. She wore a similar look at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscars Party, with a wavy bob reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe’s signature hairstyle.

Teyana Taylor Debuts “Liquid Marble” Ashi Studio Couture and Metallic Gold Stilettos

Teyana Taylor embraced her love for raw, deconstructed fashion, staying true to the grungy edge that defines her style. At first glance, I’ll admit it reminded me of furniture draped in white sheets in an old house, but the longer I looked, the more the artistry came through.

The wrapped-column gown from Ashi Studio’s Spring 2026 Couture collection was crafted in alabaster crepe with a wet, liquid-like finish. I actually loved how the fabric clung to her frame like veiled marble, creating a sculptural effect. Sharp shoulders and a high neckline added structure, while the all-over draping softened the silhouette. I wasn’t completely sold on the long sleeves with ripped, frayed cuffs that extended past her hands, as they felt a bit too much, but they did heighten the look’s eerie, undone mood.

From the back, the dress revealed intricate lacing that ran down from the high neckline, tracing the spine. The hem dissolved into layered, feather-like wisps that pooled behind her as she walked, adding movement and drama. Though the gown aligned perfectly with Teyana’s aesthetic, it was surprisingly modest compared to her usual red carpet choices.

Teyana Taylor wraps herself in an Ashi Studio alabaster crepe dress with a wet, liquid-like finish, a raw hem, structured shoulders, extra-long sleeves, and a high neck (Credit: Carla Van Wagoner / Future Image / Cover Images)

Teyana Taylor Elevates Deconstructed Couture With Hidden Metallic Gold Stiletto Pumps

Her accessories were minimal, which I thought was the right choice considering the gown’s intricacy. The only jewelry visible was a pair of Tiffany & Co. diamond stud earrings, allowing the dress to take center stage. She wore her raven hair short and textured, paired with her signature bold makeup: heavy black liner, smoky eyeshadow, and glossy, two-toned lips.

Instead of opting for white heels, Teyana chose gold pumps. They were mostly hidden beneath the gown, but flashes of pointed toes and stiletto heels appeared as she moved, adding a subtle contrast that kept the look visually interesting.

Teyana Taylor pairs her white deconstructed gown with shiny metallic gold leather pumps with sharp pointed toes (Credit: Carla Van Wagoner / Future Image / Cover Images)

New LV Ambassador Chase Infiniti Masters Architectural Chic in Blush Louis Vuitton Pointed-Toe Pumps

Chase Infiniti, Teyana Taylor’s co-star in One Battle After Another, went for a feminine yet sculptural look from Louis Vuitton, which came as no surprise after she was named a brand ambassador in December.

The strapless dress featured a folded, asymmetrical neckline that softly wrapped across her chest, adding interest without overwhelming her frame. A cinched waist, defined by a subtle tonal band, drew the eye in before the skirt took over. For me, the midi-length skirt was the highlight of the look. Instead of flowing freely, it retained its shape through architectural pleating and asymmetrical panels that curved outward in a sculptural way, giving the overall look a modern edge.

Chase Infiniti embraces modern femininity in an architectural blush pink Louis Vuitton gown featuring a skirt with architectural pleating and asymmetrical panels (Credit: Carla Van Wagoner / Future Image / Cover Images)

Chase Infiniti Pairs Messika High Jewelry With Sculptural Blush Louis Vuitton Pumps

Chase didn’t skimp on accessories. She wore pieces from the Messika Roc collection, inspired by the raw beauty of the Namibian landscape. Adding a sharp contrast to the dress’s softness, she wore a statement necklace that framed her neckline perfectly, while matching earrings and a bracelet added enough sparkle.

Her natural tight curls were styled in a sleek ponytail with a center part, while her makeup mirrored the dress’s tones, with soft blush hues that enhanced her features and kept everything cohesive.

Infiniti finished the look with blush pink Louis Vuitton pumps that blended seamlessly with the gown. The pointed toes and clean silhouette complemented the structured skirt, elegantly pulling the entire outfit together!

Chase Infiniti pairs her blush pink gown with matching pink Louis Vuitton pointy pumps (Credit: Carla Van Wagoner / Future Image / Cover Images)

Red Carpet Recap: How These Film Festival Looks Preview the 13 Biggest 2026 Shoe Trends

While the Virtuosos Awards celebrated individual style moments, the footwear choices on display also reflected broader directions shaping fashion right now.

From refined slingback pumps to sculptural heels and metallic finishes, these looks echo many of the shoe trends gaining momentum in 2026—both on the red carpet and beyond. If you’re looking to explore what’s next in footwear, these editor-curated highlights offer a closer look at the silhouettes and styles defining the year ahead.