Fashion People — "Red Carpet Wars"
Podcast: Fashion People
Host: Lauren Sherman (Puck)
Guest: Hilary Kerr (Co-founder, Who What Wear)
Date: January 13, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into the post-Golden Globes red carpet discourse, analyzing standout looks, new creative director impacts, and what current fashion choices reveal about the industry. Lauren Sherman and guest Hilary Kerr unpack buzzworthy moments—from Teyana Taylor’s head-turning Schiaparelli to broader industry stories like Saks Global’s looming bankruptcy, the future of multi-brand retail, and whether Gucci’s fresh direction might recapture the public's affection.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Red Carpet Rundown: Golden Globes Fashion (03:50–29:09)
The State of the Red Carpet
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Expectation vs Reality: Both hosts found the overall style more "traditional" and "conservative" than expected, despite debut collections from major houses' new creative directors.
Hilary Kerr (05:55):“Truthfully, I was a little bit surprised that it was more...I don't want to say conservative, but more traditional than I thought it might be...the amount of black on the red carpet. I was surprised by that.”
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Award Show Personality: The Golden Globes’ reputation for looseness and boundary-pushing didn't really manifest this year.
Standout Looks
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Teyana Taylor in Schiaparelli ([07:06]):
Lauren Sherman:“That was it. That’s number one. The fit, the attitude, everything about her is flawless.”
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Robin Wright in Ralph Lauren
Traditional but “stunning,” though not as memorable as Taylor’s. -
Colman Domingo in Custom Valentino and Boucheron ([10:22]):
Lauren Sherman:“He just has incredible personal style...the Valentino suit...had a real silhouette and he just knows how to wear it.”
Red Carpet Menswear
- Noted increased flair and attention to styling for men this year (Boucheron brooches, bold silhouettes).
Comfort & Personal Vibe
- Comfortable-but-chic looks (Justine Loop’s ethereal dress; Zoe Kravitz’s minimalist slip) praised for feeling singular and authentic.
- Zoe Kravitz in Saint Laurent
Hilary Kerr (26:02):"She didn't look like anyone else. Like, no one else had that same level of relaxed calmness...Everything else looked a lot more effortful, and I think that's something I appreciated."
Chanel’s Golden Globes Outfits (14:12–16:18)
- Rose Byrne seen as best Chanel look. Comfortable in color and style.
- Discussion about celebrity-stylist dynamics and suitability of certain looks.
- Selena Gomez, IO, and other Chanel-wearers dissected for choices in color, fit, and styling.
Dior & Vuitton: Red Carpet Strategies
- Dior’s focused approach contrasted against mass-dressing, centering on Jessie Buckley.
Lauren Sherman (17:21):
“The color was just so beautiful...it was just so gorgeous and...the best. It was interesting they focused on Jessie...I think that was smart...”
- Prediction games for who’ll wear which house come Oscars time.
- Vuitton: Emma Stone highlighted as a standout in Louis Vuitton, praised for subtlety and evolving impressions.
“Not Loving It” Moments
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Jennifer Lawrence in Givenchy ([19:57]):
Hilary Kerr:“We've never seen this level of body from her...never seen that level of sheerness, ...I was surprised by that.” Lauren Sherman (21:18):
“I didn't think it looked bad...but I didn't think this dress was the right match for her...On someone else, it would have had a bigger wow factor.” -
Discussion of celebrities’ personal style vs. styling experiments—where mismatches occur.
Honorable Mentions & Emerging Trends
- Weird color chic: Tessa Thompson’s Peridot Balenciaga, Elle Fanning in Gucci, Dakota in Vivienne Westwood.
- Millennial penchant for statement necklaces & diamonds noted.
- Anticipation for awards season “shimmer, sheen, embellishment...and more color” ([29:28]).
2. Industry Trends: Houses, Handbags & Hype (30:00–35:17)
Gucci’s Current Moment ([30:23–32:54])
- Real anticipation around Demna’s true debut. Despite only pre-collection in stores, bags are catching on.
- More buzz than for other fashion houses—people “want Gucci to win.”
- Pricing strategy seen as more accessible (for luxury):
Hilary Kerr (32:54):“I also think they're getting the pricing right...a lot of other brands have started to join that creep. And so this feels like something more in tune.”
3. The Saks Fifth Avenue Situation ([35:20–41:46])
Looming Bankruptcy & the Multi-brand Retail Challenge
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Lauren Sherman describes the imminent filing for bankruptcy protection and the complex implications for the sector: “The consolidation of these businesses was inevitable...but when you consolidate declining businesses...it usually doesn't work out...the reality of it is we can go shopping at standalone stores, we can shop online and there isn't a need for it.” ([37:47])
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Both hosts lament the decline of multi-brand retail and express nostalgia for the experience. Hilary Kerr (36:41):
“I really love a multi brand retailer. I just like getting the vibe of it. I think it's really important...I have been devastated to watch the industry change over time. It has been truly terrifying...I really, really want that to be the truth [that they survive].”
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Questions raised about department store survival, consolidation, and relevance in a changed market.
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Need for "desire," not "need," to draw customers back in.
Lauren Sherman:“The reason cannot be need...it needs to be desire...to have new experiences and all that. Right now...they just lost sight of the customer.” ([41:32])
4. What’s Next: Awards Season & Industry Outlook ([41:46–end])
Awards Season Anticipation
- Both hosts express excitement for continuing red carpet mania—especially the unpredictable Grammys.
Hilary Kerr (41:55):
"I find it unhinged and delightful, and I love seeing all the creativity...I look forward to the Grammys, which are the weirdest of them all."
Notable Quotes & Moments
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Lauren Sherman on red carpet randomness ([06:57]):
“It didn't feel super exciting...A lot of the other stuff felt, like, nice or...very pretty. But there wasn't a lot that was like really impactful.”
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Hilary Kerr on evolving expectations ([10:23]):
"It's not the Met Gala and so you sort of tailor your expectations accordingly."
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On designer/actress partnerships (14:50):
“There’s just certain people that...look very comfortable in the clothes. They are, I guess, traditional, but not totally expected. And I thought she [Rose Byrne] looked fab.” —Lauren Sherman
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On Gucci’s pricing approach ([32:54]):
“They're still expensive but they're at a more reasonable price point. And I think people are looking for that.” —Hilary Kerr
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 03:50 — Hilary joins, red carpet impressions
- 06:57 — The red carpet’s “randomness” and early-season takeaways
- 07:06–07:15 — Teyana Taylor/Schiaparelli moment
- 10:22 — Menswear and Colman Domingo in Valentino
- 14:12–17:21 — Chanel & Dior breakdowns; Rose Byrne, Jessie Buckley
- 19:57 — Jennifer Lawrence’s Givenchy look debate
- 23:20 — Possible future style shifts for JLaw
- 24:06–26:27 — Zoe Kravitz, personal style, and relaxed chic
- 27:51–28:55 — Elle Fanning in Gucci, siblings style
- 29:28 — Color/embellishment hopes for award season
- 30:23 — Gucci bags, Demna’s true test, industry rooting interests
- 32:54 — Gucci pricing, accessibility in luxury
- 35:20 — Saks’ possible bankruptcy, multi-brand retail dilemma
- 41:55 — Awards season madness, especially the Grammys
Summary
Lauren Sherman and Hilary Kerr serve up an insider’s take on the tension between fashion’s past and future, as reflected in Golden Globes red carpet choices and seismic shifts in retail. From dissecting the season’s standout style moments (and near-misses) to considering whether legacy brands and department stores can bounce back, this episode is both a style recap and a pulse-check on where high fashion and shopping are headed next.
For more on industry shakeups, red carpet scoops, and unfiltered fashion-world chatter, subscribe to Fashion People or Lauren’s Line Sheet newsletter via Puck.