Hailey Bieber Reclaims Animal Print Dominance at 98th Academy Awards Gala

Hailey Bieber stuns at the 98th Academy Awards after-party in a custom iridescent leopard-print Armani Privé gown, cementing her status as a style icon.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 16, 2026, 12:16 PM EDT

Source: BAZAAR

A Custom Vision in Armani Privé

Bieber’s appearance at the 98th Academy Awards after-party centered on a bespoke creation by Armani Privé. The strapless gown was characterized by a distinctive sculptural, rounded neckline that created a sharp silhouette against the red carpet backdrop. Constructed with meticulous detail, the dress featured vertical rows of iridescent sequins that shifted between gold and deep purple hues depending on the lighting. This shimmering base was overlaid with irregular black rosettes, meticulously designed to replicate the organic patterns of a leopard’s pelt, offering a high-fashion interpretation of the animal print trend.

Strategic Styling and Minimalism

The silhouette of the gown remained body-hugging throughout, flowing into a delicate, floor-brushing train. To maintain focus on the intricate textile of the dress, Bieber opted for classic footwear—pointy-toed pumps in black patent leather. Her jewelry followed the "quiet luxury" ethos that has defined her recent public appearances, featuring a singular, high-value diamond princess choker. This choice balanced the boldness of the print with a touch of traditional red-carpet sophistication, ensuring the look felt curated rather than cluttered.

Beauty Trends and a Solo Appearance

In a departure from many of the evening's high-profile duos, Bieber attended the event without her husband, Justin Bieber. Her beauty look for the night embraced a "turned-out" wavy hairstyle with a clean center part, a signature look for the model. A pop of color was introduced via a bright red manicure, which provided a sharp contrast to the shimmering gold and black tones of the Armani gown. This appearance marks another successful solo outing for the entrepreneur, who has increasingly used major award seasons to bolster her individual fashion brand.