Mariska Hargitay turned the 2026 Emmy Awards into a memorable family moment when she arrived at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles alongside her 15-year-old daughter, Amaya Hermann. The longtime “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” star wore a floor-length red Monse gown covered in shimmering sequins, featuring a fitted silhouette, sweetheart neckline, feather-like fringe, and an asymmetrical train. Amaya complemented her mother in a coordinated red Monse design, choosing a softer silhouette with delicate straps, sparkling details, feathered accents, and a high-low hem. Their dresses were not simply a stylish mother-daughter pairing; Monse confirmed that the looks were created as a tribute to Hargitay’s late mother, Hollywood star Jayne Mansfield. The emotional connection reached back to 1956, when Mansfield wore a glittering ruby-red gown in “The Girl Can’t Help It,” creating a visual link between three generations of women in the family. Hargitay’s husband, Peter Hermann, and their sons, August and Andrew, also joined the celebration as she took on the additional honor of hosting the ceremony.

For Hargitay, the tribute carried special meaning because her mother’s legacy has become an important part of her life in recent years. Hargitay was only three when Mansfield died in 1967, and she later spent decades building an identity of her own while gradually learning more about the woman behind her mother’s famous Hollywood image. Her documentary, “My Mom Jayne,” explored Mansfield’s life through photographs, home movies, interviews, and family history, allowing Hargitay to see her mother beyond the glamorous image remembered by audiences. She also revealed long-kept family information and reflected on the complicated circumstances surrounding her childhood, while honoring Mickey Hargitay, who helped raise her. The Emmy gowns added another chapter to that personal journey, transforming a famous vintage look into a modern family tribute. As Hargitay and Amaya walked the red carpet together in matching shades of red, the fashion moment became something more lasting—a quiet connection between mother, daughter, and grandmother, carried forward through style, memory, and family.