Ratings for the 2026 Oscars may have seen a decline compared to previous years, yet the buzz generated from Sunday’s red carpet at the Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood was significant.
The social media discussions, style features, and coverage of the fashion, timepieces, and jewelry showcased by celebrities at this year’s Academy Awards achieved an unprecedented Media Impact Value (MIV) of $225.84 million. This is a substantial rise from the 2025 Oscars, which recorded $173.07 million across key categories: fashion brands, top women and men, jewelry, and accessories. The increase of nearly $52.8 million demonstrates the effective pairing of star power with brand marketing. However, it’s worth noting that figures from May’s Met Gala, which typically far exceed those of any awards show, are not included.
For three consecutive years, The Hollywood Reporter has collaborated exclusively with data firm Launchmetrics to create the annual Red Carpet Power Rankings. This measures earned engagement of the season’s five major events running from January through March—Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Grammy Awards, Actor Awards (previously SAG), and the Academy Awards. Brands and stars are evaluated across five key categories using Launchmetrics’ proprietary MIV algorithm to gauge their influence and engagement.
The strong performance in 2026 also highlights a notable focus on female stars. As brands cultivate relationships with influential female ambassadors, it is evident that Hollywood’s women are increasingly benefiting from these collaborations—with specific individuals showcasing remarkable jewelry, such as a stunning diamond-adorned watch. Let’s explore the outcomes further.
Top 10 Fashion Brands: Chanel’s Strong Strategy
For a prestigious fashion house like Chanel, dressing a leading actress expected to win best actress, alongside a popular music artist and a celebrity known for bold red carpet choices, proved to be an excellent strategy. Chanel emerged at the top of the fashion Power Rankings with an impressive $28.5 million in earned engagement during the 2026 Oscars, a testament to the effectiveness of their choices.
Top-Five Women: Chanel Dominates Again
It is uncommon for three women in the same fashion label to rank consecutively as the top three in the Power Rankings. The stunning appearances of Teyana Taylor, Jessie Buckley, and Nicole Kidman in Chanel not only showcased their styles but also demonstrated how well the brand matched their individual aesthetics. Anne Hathaway also made headlines with her floral Valentino gown and a comedic interaction with Anna Wintour, securing her place among the top five.
Priyanka Chopra’s Dior gown not only aligned with the evening’s feather trend but also resonated strongly with her significant Instagram following, reinforcing her popularity and presence at the event.
The next Power Rankings by The Hollywood Reporter and Launchmetrics will follow the Met Gala on May 4, whose theme “Fashion as Art” promises to feature some incredibly creative interpretations. Co-chairs for the event include Nicole Kidman, Anna Wintour, Beyoncé, and Venus Williams.
