Christian Siriano Sent Gown Cross-Country Just Days Before Emmys 2026
Christian Siriano is making it work for Emmys 2026.
In fact, the fashion designer had to deliver a gown he made for a celebrity attending the Sept. 14 ceremony across the country last-minute while overseeing the hectic runway preparations for his New York Fashion Week presentation at the same time.
"I just finished a dress one hour ago that literally an intern had to run to FedEx," he exclusively told E! News’ Keltie Knight backstage at the Christian Siriano Spring/Summer 2027 show on Sept. 10. "I hope it makes it."
What's more stressful, Siriano had to finish the Emmys dress while hair and make-up was "still being done" on the models walking in his own fashion show, which was attended by Evan Rachel Wood, Mena Suvari, JoJo, Brandy, Billy Porter, Debra Messing and more.
"That's intense," the 40-year-old quipped. "There's no models in clothes, so that's scary."
And crafting looks for the Emmys while simultaneously working on New York Fashion Week was indeed a gauntlet. As he explained, the dresses he made for the award show—taking place at Los Angeles' Peacock Theater—were "all over the board."
"I had really ethereal to really vampy," the Project Runway alum revealed. "People are going for different things."
As such, he has "no idea" what will be the dominate style trend at this year's Emmys, which will be hosted by Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay.
"I think we're gonna see a lot," Siriano predicted. "Maybe it'll be not so sexy. I think it's going to be a little more lady, elegance."
But whatever the case may be, he hopes attendees will bring their fashion A-game.
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Christian Siriano
"I'm not a fan of underdressing," Siriano noted. "I rather see someone overdress at a party."
That's why he treasures his working relationship with known method dresser Zendaya, who is up for her third Emmy for Euphoria this year.
"She's one of the first people I've ever dressed and I was one of her first designers, which is why she still wears me 20 years late," Siriano said, describing his bond with the actress and her longtime stylist Law Roach as "crazy."
"We were babies, we were literally little kids," he marveled. "It's really been a great journey to work with both of them all these years later. It feels really good that she's become the style icon that she has."
And to see some of the best looks to have ever graced the Emmys red carpet, keep reading...
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Seth Rogen
The Studio star's custom Etro tuxedo at the 2025 award show was more than Supergood.
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Jenna Ortega
Two snaps are in order for the Wednesday star's jewel-encrusted Givenchy look at the 2025 award show.
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Anya Taylor-Joy
Hello yellow! The Queen's Gambit actress glowed in her bright Dior dress with Tiffany & Co. jewelry at the 2021 award show.
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Zendaya
The Euphoria star took the red carpet by storm for the 2019 ceremony. From the vibrant emerald green hue to the sheer corset bodice, her custom Vera Wang dress was one to remember.
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Reese Witherspoon
The Big Little Lies star shined bright at the 2022 ceremony in a glitzy blue strapless gown.
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Angelina Jolie
A total stunner! The actress made a grand entrance at the 1998 star-studded ceremony with this body-hugging blush gown.
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Susan Kelechi Watson
The This Is Us actress shined as bright as the cameras in this shimmery off-the-shoulder gown.
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Joan Collins
Known for her ~extra~ glamorous fashion sense, the Dynasty star brought the drama to the 1987 awards ceremony with this red-hot gown.
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Tracee Ellis Ross
The Black-ish star showed up and showed out in this hot pink Valentino Haute Couture gown.
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Quinta Brunson
The Abbott Elementary star lit up the red carpet in a glitzy metallic bronze getup.
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Ellen Pompeo
Who says you have to wear a dress? The Grey's Anatomy star switched things up in 2021 by wearing an Elie Saab black velvet jumpsuit with crystal embroidery.
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Priyanka Chopra
The actress was a vision in white as she graced the red carpet in a dreamy custom-made Balmain gown.
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Viola Davis
Orange you glad the legendary star added a pop of color to the 2017 Emmys? The answer is yes.
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Michelle Dockery
The 2018 Emmy nominee brought whimsy and magic to the star-studded ceremony with a baby blue number by Carolina Herrera.
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Keri Russell
The Hollywood star sizzled in a sexy feathered black dress at the 2018 Emmys.
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January Jones
This figure-flattering Versace peplum stole the show at the 2009 Emmys. While the dress had a futuristic feel, it still has classic details that make it timeless.
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Claire Foy
Sometimes less is more. And in this case, it worked with Claire's ultra-chic black jumpsuit by Oscar de la Renta.
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Rue McClanahan
All that glitters is gold and Rue proved it with a glitzy design at the 1990 Emmys.
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Elle Fanning
Elle most certainly brought old-Hollywood glamour to the 2022 event.
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Regina King
King lit up the 2018 awards show with her highlighter-green Christian Siriano gown.
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Kim Cattrall
The Sex and the City star sparkled in a daring and dazzling cut-out dress at the 2003 event.
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Nina Dobrev
Talk about red-hot. The Vampire Diaries alum knocked 'em dead with a fiery strapless Donna Karan number in 2011.
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Taraji P. Henson
The Empire star made a statement in a custom yellow Vera Wang dress at the 2016 Emmys.
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Issa Rae
Looking like a modern-day Cinderella, the Insecure star turned heads in a bedazzled baby blue jumpsuit by Vera Wang. "There are 3,000 crystals on my dress right now. I was like, are you serious right now," she told E! News.
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Mandy Moore
The This Is Us star dropped jaws with her wildly colorful Brandon Maxwell design.
Rob Latour/Shutterstock
Ava DuVernay
The director glistened and glimmered on the red carpet in her Reem Acra gown at the 2019 Emmys.
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Julia Louis-Dreyfus
The actress wore a show-stopping design to the 1995 awards ceremony with this little (daring) black dress, which featured a plunging neckline and spaghetti straps.
Mirek Towski/DMI/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images
Jennie Garth
The Beverly Hills, 90210 actress brought all the drama to the 1995 Emmys with her audacious black design, which she perfectly paired with long satin gloves and strappy heels.
Zendaya
The actress, who made history at the 2020 Emmys, oozed with glamour in an Armani creation that was reminiscent of the Swinging Sixties.
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Kim Kardashian
The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star graced the red carpet in a regal black dress that she paired with a statement-making necklace.
Don't miss the Emmy Awards 2026 live telecast Monday, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC and streaming on Peacock.

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