Hunter Schafer’s style evolution: how the model, activist and Euphoria actress went from sassy street style to daring red carpet looks – by names like Schiaparelli, Armani, Rodarte and Marni
In recent years, the celebrity red carpet has arguably lost some of its lustre, with outfits trending more towards the confused or mundane, as opposed to the iconic looks of yesteryear. However, Hunter Schafer, who GQ calls “a visual artist turned activist turned model turned actor”, is challenging this trend with daring outfit choices that are captivating fashion enthusiasts around the world.
Schafer first came to public attention in 2016, at just 17, as the youngest plaintiff in a lawsuit pushing back against North Carolina’s House Bill 2. The bill forced trans people to use public bathrooms that were aligned with their birth gender rather than their affirmed gender. Schafer’s activism – including making a protest film, per Refinery29 – put her squarely in the limelight. At 18, she signed with a modelling agency and, per Forbes, was soon representing such big names as Marc Jacobs and Christian Dior.
In 2019, Schafer began playing opposite Zendaya in the HBO teen drama Euphoria, also featuring Sydney Sweeney. She’s since starred in The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, a prequel in the hit Hunger Games franchise, and per Variety, is slated to join Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh in the upcoming Amazon Prime Video series Blade Runner 2099.
Through creative collaborations with renowned stylists like Dara Allen, fashion director of Interview Magazine, Schafer has left a lasting impression in the fashion industry.
Let’s take a look at how she got here.
July 2018
Early in her career, Schafer showcased her unique street style in a grey ruched minidress, adding a touch of contrast with a black velvet messenger bag adorned with a vibrant patterned scarf. She completed her look with fuzzy black socks and white Tabi boots from Maison Margiela.
June 2019
At the season one premiere of Euphoria, the new actress graced the purple carpet in an asymmetrical lace midi dress adorned with delicate floral accents by Rodarte. She completed the look with metallic combat boots, adding a hint of grunge to the ethereal ensemble.
January 2020
The Euphoria actress attended Entertainment Weekly’s Screen Actors Guild Awards in an androgynous, monochromatic grey ensemble of slim trousers and a high-necked collared blouse. This look contrasted sharply with her character’s feminine style in the hit TV series. She completed the outfit with a simple silver neck scarf, a light blue slash and polished black boots.
January 2021
For her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Schafer wore a stylish, daring black-and-gold outfit from Schiaparelli’s spring/summer 2021 ready-to-wear line by designer Daniel Roseberry. The outfit featured a black twisted tank dress with golden trompe l’oeil buttons shaped as nipples, and rings in the shape of fingernails.
March 2022
The actress embraced a slightly grunge look at the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party, wearing a slinky patchwork bleached denim dress paired with De Beers jewellery. The mermaid number is from Rick Owens’ autumn 2022 collection and boasts a romantic mini-train finished with raw edges.
March 2023
Schafer once again turned heads at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscars after-party, this time in a daring two-piece ensemble from Belgian label Ann Demeulemeester’s autumn/winter 2023 collection. With a singular feather accent across her chest and a slinky maxi skirt that showcased her figure, the actress’s look was undoubtedly the boldest of the evening.
November 2023
The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes actress enchanted the red carpet as a garden fairy, wearing a minidress embellished with dozens of 3D flowers of various shapes, colours, and sizes applied over a wire cage. Complete with green stems, this work of wearable art hails from Marni’s spring/summer 2024 collection.
January 2024
From walking in Prada’s autumn/winter 2022 show to attending the 81st Golden Globe Awards in this show-stopping look by the Italian luxury brand, Schafer has never been shy about her love for its designs. Since becoming a Prada ambassador in 2021, Schafer has starred in multiple campaigns for the brand, is a common fixture at their fashion week shows, and continues to stun in their creations on the red carpet.
April 2024
For GQ’s Global Creativity Award, Schafer showed her ability to think big and hit the theme of “Big ideas for a better world”. The actress chose a mesmerising custom gown by Marni’s Francesco Ricco. The sculpted gown was hand-painted with thick strokes of yellows, blues and charcoal, and featured raw hems that mimicked the look of a canvas and came together to look like an Impressionist masterpiece by Vincent van Gogh.
May 2024
Schafer had her Cinderella moment when she channelled old Hollywood glamour at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Inspired by the iconic blue dress the Disney princess wore in the 1950 animated film’s finale, Schafer’s custom Armani Privé gown was made from a rich reflecting satin and rendered in a modern strapless silhouette consisting of a form-fitting bodice and drop waist skirt. The dress was paired with a sapphire-and-diamond necklace and earrings and blue stilettos for maximum effect.
