At the 2026 BAFTA Awards, couture took a turn. The traditional bow and necktie quietly stepped aside, making way for something far more striking: High-fashion brooches.
Leading the trend was host Alan Cumming in an avant-garde look. The Scottish actor, who took over hosting duties from David Tennant this year, arrived at London’s Royal Festival Hall in a black overcoat textured with tassels and an ombré finish. Fastened at his collar was a custom-made brooch by Atlas Carré, replacing the classic bowtie.
Another who ditched the conventional necktie was American actor Ethan Hawke, who replaced it with a bolo tie and shimmering single-breasted jacket, a nod to classic Western flair.
Regé-Jean Page, the Bridgerton S1 star, also made his case for the brooch. Dressed in an all-black Hugo Boss suit, he swapped his tie for a delicate dragonfly brooch from Hirsh London, adding a TAG Heuer timepiece to complete the look.
{{/usCountry}}Regé-Jean Page, the Bridgerton S1 star, also made his case for the brooch. Dressed in an all-black Hugo Boss suit, he swapped his tie for a delicate dragonfly brooch from Hirsh London, adding a TAG Heuer timepiece to complete the look.
{{/usCountry}}Beyond BAFTA
It’s not just Hollywood embracing this evolution of men’s formalwear. Back home, Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan made waves with his wedding reception look alongside Sophie Shine. Dressed in a classic black suit, he accessorised with a lion brooch for an authoritative, couture-led statement.
Even at the 2026 Grammys, Justin Vernon, founder of the Grammy-winning band Bon Iver, arrived on the red carpet fresh off his recent win for Best Alternative Music Album. He wore a deep blue suit featuring horse detailing on the front pockets and an intricate sandstone bolo tie.
Jewellery designer Abhilasha of ABHILASHA Pret Jewellery says the rise of diamond brooches signals a shift in men’s fashion. “Brooches aren’t just for lapels anymore,” she explains. “Styled as ties and set with diamonds, they introduce an accessory beyond convention; replacing the traditional tie with a couture-led focal point elevates tailoring instantly. It’s about individuality, detail, and quiet luxury.”
From red carpets in London to receptions in Delhi, the message is clear: men’s fashion is rewriting its rules.