STYLE EVOLUTION

See How Sarah Paulson Emerged as a Genuine Red Carpet Star

by Katherine Cusumano
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Sarah Paulson red carpet
by George Pimentel/Getty Images for TIFF

“Every time that you go anywhere on the red carpet, now there are websites dedicated to picking you apart,” Sarah Paulson once told the New York Times. Well, Paulson has had more hits than misses over the past two decades. She’s come into her own, sartorially speaking, eventually eschewing the very pretty looks of her early career in favor of chic designs by smaller labels like Cushnie et Ochs, Etro, and Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini and from powerhouses like The Row and her beloved Prada. She’s gotten more experimental and more dramatic, and she’s developed hair styles (like an on-trend bleached bob) that add an instant edge to anything she wears. Here, look back at Sarah Paulson’s best red carpet moments, from her early days as a stage actress to her forray on Broadway.

2024: LACMA Art+Film Gala

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Paulson donned a black skirt and a stark white top at the 2024 LACMA Art + Film Gala.

2024: Academy Museum Gala

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The actress went for an ab-baring Prada number at the 2024 Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles.

2024: Met Gala

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Bow overload (Prada, of course) at the 2024 Met Gala.

2023: Appropriate Opening Night

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Wearing Alexandre Vauthier, Paulson looked in charge at the opening night of Appropriate.

2022: Emmy Awards

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Paulson turned to Louis Vuitton for her 2022 Emmys look.

2021: Impeachment: American Crime Story Premiere

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Paulson attended the Impeachment: American Crime Story premiere in Alexandre Vauthier.

2019: The Goldfinch Premiere

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Paulson slipped into this dotted Prada number in 2019.

2019: Met Gala

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The actress opted for a one-shoulder Moschino design for the 2019 Met Gala.

2019: Game of Thrones Premiere

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Paulson attended the Game Of Thrones New York Premiere in a stunning Gucci dress.

2019: Academy Awards

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In Brandon Maxwell at the 2019 Academy Awards.

2019: Glass UK Premiere

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Paulson stood out in this bright Prada look at the UK Premiere of Glass.

2019: Ocean’s 8 Premiere

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Paulson was early to the Brat green trend.

2018: Met Gala

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More at Prada at the Met Gala.

2018: Vanity Fair Oscar Party

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Paulson donned butter yellow Marc Jacobs at the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

2017: Emmy Awards

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Wearing Carolina Herrera, Paulson attended the 2018 Emmy Awards.

2017: Vanity Fair Oscar Party

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The actress made a splash in Ronald van der Kemp at the the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

2017: Met Gala

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In feathered Prada at the 2017 Met Gala, themed "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between."

2017: Golden Globe Awards

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In Marc Jacobs at the 2017 Golden Globe Awards.

2016: Emmy Awards

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In Prada at the 2016 Emmy Awards.

2015: Carol Premiere

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In metallic Etro at the premiere of Carol.

2015: American Horror Story: Hotel Premiere

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In Monique Lhuillier at the premiere of American Horror Story.

2014: American Horror Story: Freak Show

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In ladylike Zac Posen at the premiere of American Horror Story.

2014: Emmy Awards

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In Armani Privé at the 66th annual Emmy Awards.

2014: Met Gala

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In Prada at the 2014 Met Gala.

2013: 12 Years a Slave Premiere

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In Vivienne Westwood at the premiere of 12 Years a Slave.

2012: American Horror Story: Asylum Premiere

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In Reem Acra at the premiere of American Horror Story.

2012: Emmy Awards

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In Reem Acra at the 64th annual Emmy Awards.

2007: Golden Globe Awards

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In a strapless white number at the 2007 Golden Globes.

2005: Tony Awards

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Her early days at the 2005 Tony Awards.

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