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In a year already bursting with fashion and film moments, these women have proven that presence is power
It’s been an incredibly eventful couple of months. From January through early March, fashion week dominated the conversation, with shows rolling out across cities and keeping the momentum alive. At the same time, the film award season kicked off and wrapped up in grand style in early March with the Academy Awards.
All month long, our timelines have been filled with stars and celebrities showing up and out at every event, each bringing their own take on standout style. As International Women’s Month comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to look back at the women who defined it. This roundup highlights the remarkable black women who made the season unforgettable.
Read also: Black women who have already made history in 2026 so far
Wunmi Mosaku
Wunmi Mosaku on the award show red carpets via @itgirlbackup on x & @wunmimosaku on Instagram 2026 has been nothing short of monumental for Wunmi Mosaku. Her haunting, soulful turn as the hoodoo healer Annie in Ryan Coogler’s Sinners cemented her status as one of the most magnetic forces in modern cinema. She swept through award season with major wins and milestones. This includes a historic BAFTA win for Best Supporting Actress. This made her the first Black British woman to take home that category’s prize. Additionally, there was an Oscar nomination and a win for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture at the NAACP Image Awards.
Off the stage, she delivered equally unforgettable moments on the red carpet, starting from the debut of her baby bump in a vibrant yellow Matthew Reisman gown at the Golden Globes. She also made waves with her stunning cobalt blue Ahluwalia look at the BAFTAs. To mark the end of the award season, she wore a custom emerald green Louis Vuitton gown at the Oscars and a custom Georges Chakra at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
Altogether, Mosaku had a great season, and it’s clear this is just the beginning of an even more defining era for her.
Zendaya
Zendaya on the red carpet via @itgrilbackup & @geordanavar on x From fashion week to award season, Zendaya has dominated 2026 with a series of headline-making appearances. Recently, she has been turning heads during the press tour for her upcoming A24 dark comedy–romantic thriller ”The Drama”.
Her press tour has been curated around the Victorian rhyme “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”. In line with this, she has been making premiere appearances in outfits matching the rhyme.
For her “old” look, she stirred buzz by re-wearing her 2015 Oscars Vivienne Westwood gown at the first premiere. Next, she wore a custom Louis Vuitton bridal-inspired gown (new). Then she wore an Armani Privé dress first worn by Cate Blanchett (borrowed), leaving fans excited for what “blue” she is going to wear next.
Before the tour, she had stolen the spotlight at the Louis Vuitton AW26 show. She also wowed at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards, wearing an archival Eugene Alexander dress. Later, she made a surprise appearance as a presenter at the 98th Academy Awards in a chocolate Louis Vuitton gown. With upcoming projects including Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Dune: Part Three, Euphoria Season 3, and The Odyssey, Zendaya’s 2026 reign is in full force.
Chase Infiniti
Chase Infiniti on the award show red carpets via @itgirlbackup & @infinitiupdate on x Over the past months, one young actress has captured both the fashion and film worlds’ attention. Chase Infiniti, who had her breakout moment in Paul Thomas Anderson’s film One Battle After Another. Soon after, she became a fixture of the awards circuit and a style muse. Her performance earned her the Breakthrough Performance award at the National Board of Review. She also received the Virtuoso Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, along with recognition as a Style & Beauty Muse at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards. This momentum carried into awards season, where she secured a BAFTA nomination and several more.
Her presence extended beyond film, turning heads in unforgettable moments. As a Louis Vuitton ambassador, she wore a custom lavender gown at the Oscars. She also appeared front row at the Louis Vuitton AW26 show. Most recently, the star wore a custom Louis Vuitton cobalt blue dress to the Series Mania Festival in Lille.
Through it all, she continues to build her career, starring as Agnes in The Testaments and filming the lead in The Julia Set.
Teyana Taylor
Teyana Taylor on the award show red carpets via @itgirlbackup on x Throughout awards season, Teyana Taylor had everyone talking, consistently delivering looks that blended bold fashion with beautifully structured silhouettes. Through her role as charismatic militant leader, Perfidia, in the movie One Battle After Another, she affirmed her rise as a true force and powerhouse in Hollywood. She has swept major awards for the movie, winning a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress and earning her first Oscar nomination.
The visionary and multi-hyphenate creative was also named one of TIME’s 2026 Women of the Year, recognised for her versatility as an actor, director, and creative visionary. More wins were in line for her from the NSFC, NAACP Image Awards, and the Billboard Women in Music Visionary Award.
Her red carpet presence has been equally commanding, making her one of the most talked-about stars. She kicked things off with a dramatic Schiaparelli moment, wearing a striking replica of the stolen Louvre jewels. From there, her red carpet run only intensified. She appeared in an incognito silver-haired look at Paris Fashion Week, and later in a custom Thom Browne gown at the SAG-AFTRA Actor Awards. Followed by a dramatic Chanel gown at the Oscars,
Awar Odhiang
Awar Odhiang on the runway for AW26 via @itgirlbackup on x The year has been a breakthrough year for Canadian-South Sudanese model Awar Odhiang, who has quickly become the model of the moment. Building on a viral moment in 2025 that saw her make history by closing the Chanel Spring/Summer show, she has dominated runways and magazine covers alike. Her industry acclaim continues with a nomination for Model of the Year at the 12th Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards.
Odhiang has also been a standout on the 2026 runway circuit. Walking over 20 shows, she walked for Schiaparelli SS26 Couture and opened and closed shows for Dolce & Gabbana and Ferragamo, captivating audiences with her signature joy and charisma. Her signature joy and charisma set her apart, bringing a refreshing shift to the typically stoic runway.
Olandria Carthen
Olandria Carthen on the red carpet via @itgirlbackup on x & @olandria on Instagram This year, Olandria Carthen has redefined her trajectory, moving beyond her Love Island USA roots to establish herself as both a fashion mainstay and an award-winning personality.
At the start of the award season this year, she wowed in a custom emerald-green Christian Siriano gown at the Golden Globes. For fashion week, she had countless viral moments on the Paris and Milan red carpets, including Valentino, Robert Wun, and the sculptural heart of gold dress by Rahul Mishra. She has also amplified her presence off the runway, attending the Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala and securing major brand partnerships with McDonald’s and Microsoft.
How they defined the moment: one look at a time
With just three months into 2026, these women have continuously shown up at their best and have proven that presence is as much about intent as it is about visibility. Every outfit and appearance has been a showcase of beauty, influence, and cultural relevance. In doing so, they’ve solidified their place on centre stage, and we can’t wait to see what the rest of 2026 holds for them.
Read more: Celebrating the iconic women leading global fashion houses and inspiring a new era of style
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