Lupita Nyong’o Makes a Case for Black Velvet in Brandon Maxwell at the 2026 WSJ Innovator Awards

Lupita Nyong’o has never needed much help making a red carpet memorable, but this Brandon Maxwell look might be one of her strongest arguments yet for keeping things simple.

Lupita attended the 2026 WSJ. Magazine Innovator Awards at New York’s Museum of Modern Art on October 29, wearing the Brandon Maxwell Farren dress from the Fall 2026 collection. She was also among the evening’s presenters as WSJ. honoured innovators across fashion, film, music, technology, literature, comedy and sport.

The black velvet gown trades Lupita’s usual love of bold colour for something darker and far more sculptural.

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Brandon Maxwell’s Farren is a fitted, floor-length silk-velvet column dress with an internal bustier, a plunging V-neckline and an asymmetric sculpted collar. The dress currently retails for $2,800. And this is one of those occasions where the dress really does most of the work.

The sculpted neckline gives the black velvet all the drama it needs, while the fitted column silhouette looks impeccable on Lupita. Black velvet can easily feel predictable for an autumn red carpet, but the asymmetric collar and plunging neckline keep this firmly modern. She looks graceful, expensive and completely at ease.

That restraint was the right decision. A bright bag or oversized statement jewellery could easily have started competing with the neckline. Instead, everything stays focused on Lupita and the shape of the dress.

Lupita is spectacular in colour, but this look proves she does not need it to command a red carpet. Give her an impeccably cut black dress, a red lip and beautiful jewellery, and she still looks like Helen of Troy walking into the room.