Sarah Paulson’s ‘One Percent’ Met Gala Look Explained

Sarah Paulson made a major statement on the red carpet at the 2026 Met Gala this evening.

At first glance, this reads as a Matières Fécales Fall 2026 red-grey tulle ball gown, styled with white opera gloves and a dollar bill taped across her eyes.

But there’s more at play.

The collection, titled The ONE Percent, caricatured contemporary society’s most conspicuous winners, the ultra-wealthy. In that context, this isn’t about wearing something visually appealing; it’s performance. The exaggerated volume, the theatrical bow, and the deliberately excessive proportions all feed into that idea.

Then there’s the dollar bill mask, which sharpens the message. It suggests being blinded by money, reinforcing the critique embedded in the collection.

You could argue the contradiction: she’s standing on the Met Gala carpet, in couture, at an event where the cost of entry is $75,000. But that tension is the point. The irony is built in. For a theme like “Costume Art,” this approach leans into discomfort rather than decoration.

And if the question is, “why participate at all?” That apparent contradiction is the point. She’s making the argument from within the system rather than outside it, placing herself inside the spectacle while also critiquing it.

The look was styled with a Boucheron Ruban Diamants choker from the Histoire de Style, Art Déco High Jewelry collection.

Stylist: Karla Welch.

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