Among the major entertainment award shows, the Tony Awards are not always associated with the flashiest red (or, in this case, blue) carpets. But that’s changing.
In the last few years, a number of film and television stars have made their Broadway debuts, bringing with them a slew of new theater fans, as well as the high-fashion labels that dress them. Maya Rudolph, who is currently starring as the titular character in “Oh, Mary!” wore Chanel, as did Aubrey Plaza, who walked the carpet with her partner, Christopher Abbott. The Tonys are also an opportunity for emerging brands to get their designs out there by working with talent in the world of theater.
The magic of Tony Awards style often has less to do with the designers, and more to do with the eccentric ensembles theater makers don to celebrate their peers. This year, we saw fringed headdresses; cropped suit jackets that showed off abs; and a colorful mix of patterns.
Some of the most memorable looks of the night came from stars who took bold risks and the independent labels that angled for a moment in the spotlight.
The actor best known for his role as the original Aaron Burr in “Hamilton” wore a wrap tuxedo with roomy bottoms and draped a bright red bomber jacket over the ensemble. The look was the product of Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne of Public School, a New York-based label known for its blend of sharp tailoring and streetwear.
Sarah Paulson
No stranger to the Broadway stage and the Tonys’ red carpet, Paulson wore a two-tone, drop-waist gown from the London-based designer Erdem Moralioglu. The dress, more playful than formal, had at least four bows.
Ombré was the way for Pope, who was wearing Robert Wun. For the producer of “Cats: The Jellicle Ball,” the gloves with claws were a nice, sharp touch.
Cole Escola
It was hard to top Escola’s Wiederhoeft number from last year’s ceremony, but this hot pink number by Christopher John Rogers was up to the task. (On the carpet, Escola said they were wearing a look “in the shade ibuprofen.”)
Qween Jean
A double nominee for costume design of both “Cats: The Jellicle Ball” and “Liberation,” Qween Jean looked award-winning in a tiered, ruffly pink gown and a white floral headpiece.
Rose Byrne
There were no shortage of two-tone looks at the Tony Awards, but Byrne, nominated for her turn in “Fallen Angels,” stood out in a beaded white Prada column gown with a bateau neckline and black bows on her shoulders with long ribbons that brushed the floor.
Sam Pinkleton
The director, who clinched the best director Tony Award for “Oh, Mary!” in 2025, wasn’t afraid to show some skin on the red carpet. Pinkleton wore a lacy, long-sleeve top with floral motifs, snug black bell bottoms and platform peep-toe heels.
Carrie Coon
Carrie Coon, nominated for the play “Bug,” elevated the humble halter top to something elegant on the red carpet in this tuxedo-inspired gown by Altuzarra.
Dylan Mulvaney
The actor, who made her Broadway debut as Anne Boleyn in “Six” this year, arrived at the Tony Awards in a long-sleeved sparkly gown with a full skirt and a sheer top. Her hair channeled Audrey Hepburn.
Christopher Abbott
Abbott, who was nominated for his turn as Biff Loman in “Death of a Salesman,” walked the red carpet in a Thom Browne signature: a shrunken suit that revealed the cuffs of his shirt. The actor completed the schoolboy look with a slim tie that was slightly off-center.
Madison Malone Kircher and Yola Mzizi contributed reporting.
