Emilia Jones in Elie Saab at 2026 AFI Awards in Los Angeles • CelebMafia

Emilia Jones wore a look from the Elie Saab Spring 2026 collection, featuring a polka-dot top and plaid skirt, at the AFI Awards Luncheon.

Emilia Jones arrived at the AFI Awards Luncheon on January 9, 2026, at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills with a look that felt more like a curated character study than a simple event outfit. Forgoing a single dress, she selected a multi-part ensemble from the Elie Saab Spring 2026 collection. The look was a puzzle of textures: a sheer, brown polka-dot halter top tucked into a high-waisted, grey plaid pencil skirt, cinched with a slim brown leather belt. This specific celebrity look—a departure from the designer’s typical ethereal gowns—was styled with chunky, amber-hued bracelets, polka-dot tights, and black peep-toe platforms, which you can see in our broader celebrity style coverage.

This isn’t just dressing; it’s a specific kind of storytelling. The whole thing hums with a 1970s frequency—not the disco glam, but the brainy, confident cool of an Anjelica Huston or Faye Dunaway. It’s a look that feels plucked from a film set, deliberately rejecting the easy glamour of a singular gown for something that requires a bit more thought. In an era of quiet luxury and stark minimalism, this layered, pattern-clashing choice feels almost academic in its ambition.

The verdict? It’s a complicated success. While Elie Saab is a surprising source for this aesthetic, the confidence Jones projects makes it work. The weakest link is perhaps the doubling of the polka dots on both the top and the tights, a move that verges on being too literal and slightly distracting. A plain sheer tight might have let the skirt and top have their own conversation. Yet, the overall effect is compelling precisely because it’s not perfect. It’s a look that prioritizes a point of view over polished prettiness, a welcome bit of intellectual friction on a red carpet that too often plays it safe.

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