Key takeaways
- Marilyn Monroe's signature waves dominated the 2026 CFDA Awards, with Keke Palmer, Pamela Anderson, and Cole Escola each styling the look to match their distinct aesthetic.
- Palmer brought a voluminous red bob echoing Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Anderson created sculpted platinum waves with modern makeup, and Escola designed a theatrical pageboy shape.
- Each stylist prioritized different elements—volume, control, or drama—to transform a single iconic hairstyle into three completely personal interpretations.
Monroe Curls Take Center Stage at the 2026 CFDA Awards
The 2026 CFDA Awards red carpet proved that Marilyn Monroe’s influence on beauty shows no signs of fading. Keke Palmer, Pamela Anderson, and Cole Escola each channeled the Hollywood legend’s signature waves for the evening, though each stylist took the iconic look in a distinctly different direction. The consistency of the Monroe reference across three separate interpretations highlighted how a single hairstyle can serve as a canvas for individual expression while maintaining its timeless appeal.
Keke Palmer’s Voluminous Swirl
Palmer hosted the evening’s festivities while wearing an archival Bob Mackie gown originally created for Raquel Welch’s appearance on The Cher Show in the 1970s. The rarity and specificity of the dress set the tone for a beauty approach that honored classic Hollywood without attempting a direct recreation. Her stylist chose to pair the archival piece with a voluminous Marilyn-inspired bob with soft, cascading curls that fell just at shoulder level. The key to Palmer’s version was the deep side part, with sections teased and curled to echo Monroe’s signature look from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. The warm red tone complemented both the gown and the pageantry of the hosting role.
The Technical Build
The voluminous effect came from strategic teasing at the crown. Rather than keeping the curls loose and modern, the teasing lifted the hair while the curls remained soft and rounded. This technique created dimension and height while maintaining the softness that defined Monroe’s original style. The curls were set with a medium-hold product to preserve their shape throughout the evening without creating stiffness.
Pamela Anderson’s Sculpted Waves
Anderson, known for drawing inspiration from classic cinema and having looked to Monroe herself in the past, opted for a more structured interpretation of the Monroe look. The actor swept her platinum hair back from her face and tightly wound the curls, creating a polished, sculpted effect that felt sophisticated rather than nostalgic. This architectural approach to the wave transformed what could have been a retro reference into something decidedly modern. The platinum tone of her hair created a stark, high-contrast silhouette against her skin, emphasizing the precision of the curl placement.
Color Coordination
Anderson’s makeup deliberately moved the Monroe legacy forward while maintaining respect for the original inspiration. She skipped the cat-eye liquid liner that often accompanies vintage recreations, instead opting for a glossy cherry red lipstick that matched her manicure. The monochromatic approach felt fresh and intentional, proving that a few subtle departures can transform a period look into something contemporary. By removing the secondary graphic element and allowing the red lips to command attention, Anderson created a look that referenced Monroe through color and shape rather than through costume-like recreation.
Cole Escola’s Pageboy Play
Escola, the Tony-winning performer and writer, landed somewhere between Palmer’s and Anderson’s interpretations with a pageboy-shaped wave. The distinction came in the teasing and sculpting: a dramatic swoop built into an exaggerated form gave the look a playful, theatrical quality fitting for a celebrated entertainer. Rather than aiming for the exact symmetry of a classic Marilyn bob, Escola’s approach leaned into the drama and movement possible when a stylist prioritizes personality over precision replication.
Strategic Teasing
Like Palmer’s look, Escola’s required significant backcombing to achieve the exaggerated swoop. The teasing was sculpted more deliberately than Anderson’s tight curls, giving it volume and movement rather than control. The pageboy shape sits between a full bob and pinned waves, offering a middle ground that suits the entertainer’s theatrical sensibility. The dramatic quality of the swoop suggested that Monroe’s curls could be pushed further into performance territory, becoming less a historical reference and more a launching point for individual style.
When a Moodboard Transcends Time
Monroe appeared repeatedly across the red carpet that evening, yet no two interpretations matched. Palmer kept her version romantic and voluminous, Anderson went for sleek control, and Escola embraced theatricality. The variation demonstrates that iconic beauty moments need not be replicated exactly to honor their source—they can be translated instead. Each star found a way to make the Monroe-esque waves feel personal and present-day, suggesting that the power of an iconic look lies not in its exact repetition but in its flexibility.
Source: Allure
Frequently Asked Questions
What hairstyle did the three celebrities wear to the 2026 CFDA Awards?
Keke Palmer, Pamela Anderson, and Cole Escola each wore interpretations of Marilyn Monroe's signature waves, with Palmer choosing a voluminous red bob, Anderson opting for tightly sculpted platinum curls, and Escola styling a pageboy-shaped wave with a dramatic swoop.
Which archival designer dress did Keke Palmer wear to the CFDA Awards?
Palmer wore an archival Bob Mackie gown originally created for Raquel Welch's appearance on The Cher Show in the 1970s.
What makeup choices did Pamela Anderson make with her Monroe-inspired hair?
Anderson skipped the traditional cat-eye liquid liner and instead wore a glossy cherry red lipstick that matched her manicure, creating a monochromatic, modern take on Monroe's signature red lip.
