Hunter Schafer’s Style Evolution Through The Years

If there’s something to be said about the glamour of old Hollywood red carpets, it’s that stars in the golden age had a knack for dressing to be remembered. In her own way, Hunter Schafer is doing just that, having found her footing in mainstream media on the international stage.

Schafer first appeared on the small screen in the HBO series Euphoria in 2019, with no acting experience whatsoever prior—she first began her career as a model in 2017, where she has appeared on the runways for Coach, Thierry Mugler, Maison Margiela, and more. In the drama, she acts opposite industry veteran and child star Zendaya, where they play romantic interests. Since her debut, the actress—who goes by she/her pronouns—is seemingly everywhere.

Related article: Hunter Schafer Says There’s “A Lot” Of Herself in Her ‘Euphoria’ Character

Having been thrust in the spotlight as a transgender woman comes with a considered risk when it comes to public reception. Findings from the media monitoring organisation Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) uncovered that there were only 17 trans characters on American television in 2017 and 2018. For some, that may mean keeping the attention on themselves on the down low, but not for Schafer.

From the get-go, the actress’ unconventional wardrobe has made for noteworthy red-carpet moments, and Schafer has often made it a point to express—and emphasise—her identity through her clothing for the cameras. Whether that means wearing a feather as a top from Ludovic de Saint Sernin’s sole collection for Ann Demeulemeester at the Oscars, or donning a hand-painted Schiaparelli haute couture gown during her The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes press tour, playing safe (read: unmemorable) was rarely, if ever, an option for Schafer.

Below, discover more on Hunter Schafer’s euphoric take on style and her most memorable moments on the red carpet.

2024 GQ Creativity Awards

For the occasion, Schafer opted for a custom hand-painted gown by Marni, conceived by the fashion house’s artisans who took inspiration from the renowned painting The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh. Thick strokes of paint in various blues, pale yellow, and white were layered on a deep v-neck gown, which produce a 3D-like textural quality to the elegant look, and made for a photographic masterpiece as worn on Schafer.

2024 Vanity Fair Oscars Party

The Little Black Dress is not quite exactly the de rigueur choice for Schafer. Channelling the air of a classic femme fatale, Schafer took to the night in a timeless strapless black gown with gloves by Bottega Veneta.

Related article: Hunter Schafer Talks Her Favourite Scents, From Her Boyfriend To Microwave Ramen

Vanities: A Night For Young Hollywood Party

Hunter Schafer wears Prada… in pistachio. On the star-studded night hosted by Vanity Fair and Instagram, the actress took to Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles in a shimmery origami-like look from the Italian house’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection, finished with floral embroidery on its off-shoulder satin shawl and across its pastel skirt.

Prada Fall/Winter 2024 Runway Show

Seated on the front row at Milan Fashion Week, Schafer portrayed a sartorial secret service agent with an off-white zip-up coat dress. She complemented her look with a pair of large red frames, sheer tights, pointed pumps, and a satin pouch bag featuring a miniature satyr’s head in gold-tone metal as its clasp.

74th Berlinale International Film Festival

At the photocall for her new horror film Cuckoo, Schafer arrived at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Berlin, Germany, in a feathered nude-tone gown by Acne Studios and finished her aquiline ensemble with dramatic smoky pink eyes.

A Different Man Berlin Premiere

Hot off the Maison Margiela Spring/Summer 2024 runway—which saw a presentation of gowns by John Galliano referencing the gritty underground characters of Paris to critical acclaim—Schafer showed up in a sweater and skirt with fringe look in shades of wet asphalt from the collection on the red carpet.

Schiaparelli Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2024 Runway Show

In Paris this past January, Schafer offered a glimpse of her show-stopping silhouette with a neckline-plunging, thigh-baring black gown and adorned a statement floral-motif necklace in brilliant gold as she attended the latest showing by the Maison’s creative director Daniel Roseberry in the city.

81st Annual Golden Globe Awards

A vision on the red carpet on arrival, Schafer took to the megawatt awards ceremony in a blush-pink Prada gown complete with tendrils of gossamer fabric that danced in the wind. On the day, the actress was tasked with the role as one of the awards ceremony’s presenters. Yet, by any measure, she looked every inch the main character at the 2024 Golden Globes.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes New York Premiere

Just like her role as a would-be stylist in the fictional Capitol depicted in the blockbuster prequel to the popular film franchise, Schafer stole the show on the red carpet with a bold Marni cocktail dress built with a wire cage enveloped with blossoming flowers.

Related article: Hunter Schafer Is Single-Handedly Resuscitating The Red Carpet

The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes Los Angeles Premiere

Schafer continued delivering looks on the blockbuster premiere on the West Coast, armoured up in Alexander McQueen. The metallic gown was finished with ornate panels and a fringed train that was held together by an intricate appliqué.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes London Premiere

While she may not have played the leading role in The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Schafer devoured her red carpet premiere look as a golden girl in Prada one London evening.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes Berlin Premiere

One can argue that any Schiaparelli gown can undoubtedly be considered a work of art, but it takes a real fashion girlie to make a performance out of wearing one. At the Berlin premiere of The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Schafer did exactly that with her hair down in a jaw-dropping mosaic gown, that was individually painted and stitched together by the Maison’s atelier.

2023 Vanity Fair Oscars Party

Hunter Schafer has nothing to hide. At the glitzy party after the year’s awards ceremony, the actress embraced her own skin with a look by Ludovic de Saint Sernin’s Ann Demeulemeester collection featuring a feather that barely covered her décolletage accompanied with a silky maxi skirt for an ethereal touch.

2021 Met Gala

At fashion’s biggest ball of the year, Schafer embodied a human cyborg in Prada when dressed for the year’s theme: ‘American Independence’. Her look on the night features a two-piece futuristic leather set in silver. However, it was her beauty notes took the look to the next level—Schafer wore whiteout colour contacts with a bejewelled Evangeline AdaLioryn brooch resting on the bridge of her nose.

In an interview with Schafer’s makeup artist Sandy Glazer for Vanity Fair, Glazer stated that she was inspired by “a little bit of late ’90s grunge, a pinch of playful dystopian sci-fi, and just a sprinkle of romantic horror,” when conceiving the actress’ one-of-a-kind glam.