Hunter Schafer Dazzles in Black Velvet at the Academy Museum Gala

Avatar photoValentina Kraljik
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Hunter Schafer has established a reputation on the red carpet for her fearless fashion choices. From a metallic Prada look that resembled an alien at the 2021 Met Gala to a stunning gold lamé Prada ensemble at the premiere of ‘The Hunger Games’ in London, her style journey is nothing short of a fashion gallery. With ‘Euphoria’ returning for its third season, she has been more active on the carpet than ever.

The sixth annual Academy Museum Gala took place on October 17 in Los Angeles, honoring Charlize Theron, Colman Domingo, and John Carpenter, with Taylor Swift set to perform. In contrast to last year’s bold fashion statements, this year’s event was described as more subdued, with many attendees opting for classic black-tie attire while incorporating unique textures and modern silhouettes.

Hunter Schafer’s look at the Academy Museum Gala perfectly matched the evening’s vibe. She donned a custom Prada black velvet column gown inspired by the brand’s Spring/Summer 2027 collection, featuring a bow detail and a striking slit accented with a white georgette panel.

In the red carpet footage, Schafer showcases a strapless, softly structured bodice that elegantly hugs her figure down to the floor. A black bow adorns her hip, and as the skirt parts, a glimpse of white georgette adds a graphic contrast with every movement.

Her styling remained romantic, with long, wavy hair cascading over one shoulder and pink drop earrings providing a pop of color against the black ensemble. The overall look is clean yet playful, with the white panel adding a teasing element.

Prada has been a staple in her wardrobe for years, and this gown exemplifies the depth of that relationship. At the 2025 Met Gala, she wore an oversized black Prada suit for the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme, and at the 2026 Met Gala, she donned a custom Prada look inspired by Gustav Klimt’s painting ‘Mäda Primavesi.’

That Met Gala gown featured an empire-waist design adorned with rosettes under the bust, complemented by a bow in her hair, making it stand out among sheer, barely-there dresses. In comparison, the gala gown feels sleeker while maintaining her signature love for bows.

Her 2026 has been filled with fashion highlights linked to ‘Euphoria.’ At the season 3 premiere in Los Angeles on April 8, she wore a shiny gold dress featuring delicate string-like straps and side cutouts. Around Met Gala week, her character Jules recreated Georges Seurat’s ‘A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte’ in an episode.

From the premiere gold to the Klimt-inspired Prada, she has demonstrated a remarkable ability to transition between daring and demure styles. This velvet column gown strikes a balance between the two.

Schafer shared the spotlight with nearly 200 celebrities at the gala. Among the attendees were Taylor Swift, Kate Hudson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kerry Washington, Adria Arjona, Wunmi Mosaku, and Chase Infiniti, along with Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake, Karlie Kloss, and Greta Lee.

She also made it onto the best-dressed lists from the night, showcasing how a classic black gown with a clever twist can shine amidst a sea of statement outfits.

The gown’s brilliance lies in its simplicity. The rich black velvet provides a formal foundation, the bow adds a playful touch, and the white georgette panel peeks out from the slit, creating an element of surprise with each step.

This combination of elegance and playfulness is characteristic of her best red carpet moments. It’s a look that appears classic from afar but reveals its intricacies upon closer inspection.

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