Laura Dern knows how to dress for a cause. At the 2026 Albie Awards in London on Friday, October 9, the actress wore a black strapless Stella McCartney look with a crystal-covered heart-shaped bodice, a red carpet choice that was sparkly, wearable and on-message for an evening about justice.

The Albies are hosted by the Clooney Foundation for Justice and were held this year at the Natural History Museum. WWD reported that guests also included Melinda Gates and Emily Ratajkowski, and Vogue listed Brad Pitt, Donatella Versace, Marisa Abela and Myha'la Herrold among the crowd.

The look: a heart in crystals

WWD identified the top as Stella McCartney's Embellished Heart Bustier Top from the fall 2026 ready-to-wear collection. The bodice has a sweetheart neckline covered in multicoloured crystals. Clear stones mix with golden yellow, terracotta pink and stony blues and greens, all shimmering against black fabric.

Below it, Dern wore a fitted skirt that WWD likened to a classic little black dress. That is the trick of the outfit: from the waist down it is completely plain, which lets the heart read as the whole statement. theFashionSpot described the plunging dress as a "gem-studded showstopper."

Why it suited the night

A sustainability angle came built in. According to the Stella McCartney website, cited by WWD, the bodice is made from "forest-friendly" materials ethically sourced from non-endangered regions. McCartney has long built animal-rights and environmental advocacy into her label. "I try to remind people in the world of fashion that we don't have to kill animals and we can work with them," she said in WWD's review of the fall 2026 collection.

At an event that celebrates activists who often take great personal risk, a designer with a clear ethical position was a fitting pick. The Albies are named after South African anti-apartheid activist Justice Albie Sachs and have been held since 2022.

How to wear the heart-bodice trend

You do not need McCartney crystals to borrow the idea. Three rules from Dern's look:

Keep the bottom plain. A straight black skirt or trousers stops an embellished top from looking costume-like.

Let the neckline frame the face. A sweetheart shape works best with bare shoulders and minimal jewellery, which is how Dern wore it.

Pick multicolour stones over a single tone. The mix of earthy and bright gems, as WWD noted, feels more grown-up than all-silver sparkle.

The rest of the Albies red carpet

Dern was one of several strong looks of the night. Host Amal Clooney debuted a much shorter, layered haircut with a gold Gucci gown by Demna, and Ines de Ramon, who attended with Brad Pitt, wore a sheer sage-green lace gown, according to WWD. Sheer and embellished pieces have dominated this season's carpets, from the New York premieres we covered in "Jessica Chastain Ditched Her Signature Red for a Marilyn Blonde Bob — and Wore Lime Monse to Debut It" to London's.

For Dern, the night was a reminder of how she approaches events like this: polished and confident, with one clear idea and nothing extra.

An outfit like this also sets the rules for beauty. With crystals at the neckline, heavy, dramatic makeup would compete with the bodice, so soft hair and a fresh, natural face are the easiest way to let the heart do the work in photos.

The heart motif is also having a moment beyond this one dress. Heart-shaped bodices, cut-outs and jewellery have appeared across fall 2026 collections, and an embellished version like this one gives the romantic shape a more polished, evening-ready edge. For anyone shopping the look, the key is structure: a boned or firmly lined bodice keeps the heart shape crisp instead of collapsing.

FAQ

What did Laura Dern wear to the Albies 2026? A black strapless Stella McCartney fall 2026 look with the Embellished Heart Bustier Top and a fitted black skirt.

What colours are the crystals on Laura Dern's bustier? Clear, golden yellow, terracotta pink and stony blues and greens.

Where were the 2026 Albies held? At the Natural History Museum in London, hosted by the Clooney Foundation for Justice.

Is the Stella McCartney bustier sustainable? The brand says the bodice uses "forest-friendly" materials ethically sourced from non-endangered regions.

Cover photo: Raph_PH / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0