Sarah Paulson and Julianne Hough were among the standout presenters at the 2026 Tony Awards, turning heads with looks that perfectly reflected their individual styles.
💫 Jump to a Tony Awards Shoe Moment:
Paulson embraced a whimsical, feminine vibe, choosing a two-toned floral gown by Erdem with sparkling Aquazzura heels, while Hough exuded modern sophistication in a sleek white Tom Ford dress paired with black Saint Laurent pumps.
Sarah Paulson in a two-tone Erdem gown and Aquazzura crystal heels, and Julianne Hough in a white Tom Ford gown and black Saint Laurent pumps at the 2026 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 7, 2026, in New York City (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)
Let’s take a closer look at their outfits.
Sarah Paulson’s Crystal Aquazzura Sandals Add Storybook Sparkle to Her Erdem Gown
Taking the stage to present the award for Best Featured Actress in a Play to Laura Metcalf for Death of a Salesman, Sarah Paulson turned heads in a whimsical gown and heels that looked straight out of a storybook.
The actress, who won Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play in 2024 for Appropriate, brought her signature flair back to the Tony Awards in a romantic and richly detailed Erdem dress. Her Aquazzura heels were the ideal finishing touch, complementing the gown’s feminine elegance while adding a dose of sparkle.
Paulson wore Aquazzura’s signature “Tequila” sandals, a celebrity-favorite style known for its crystal-covered scalloped straps and delicate cage-like silhouette. Crafted in Italy from powder-pink leather, the sandals shimmered with crystal embellishments that echoed the sparkling botanical details of her Erdem gown.
Available from Mytheresa and Farfetch, the design has become one of Aquazzura’s most recognizable red-carpet heels, appearing on stars ranging from Taylor Swift to Nicky Hilton. Set on slim stiletto heels, the sandals added sparkle and femininity without distracting from the drama of Paulson’s gown.
Sarah Paulson showcases her red pedicure in the Aquazzura “Tequila” sandals featuring scalloped straps with clear round crystals (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)
Paulson paired the sparkling heels with an equally striking gown from Erdem’s Fall 2026 collection. It had a fitted ivory bodice, embroidered with intricate floral and vine crystal embellishments like delicate botanical artwork across the fabric. The plunging neckline added a touch of drama and sophistication, but I especially loved how the oversized bow details at the shoulders enhanced the gown’s whimsical charm.
The dress featured an unconventional drop-waist silhouette, adding a fashion-forward twist to its romantic aesthetic. From the dropped waist, the gown flowed into a voluminous, ankle-length pink skirt decorated with matching botanical crystals. Bright red satin bows at the hips created a striking contrast against the soft pastel palette, with long ribbons cascading down the front of the skirt.
While undeniably feminine and elegant, the skirt’s crinkled texture and raw hem added a touch of effortless edge, preventing the gown from looking too delicate.
Paulson completed the look with dazzling Boucheron jewelry, including the $57,900 Plume de Paon pendant earrings in white gold, featuring a peacock feather motif adorned with diamonds. She also wore the Vendôme Liseré ring and left her neck bare, allowing the gown’s dramatic neckline and intricate details to remain the focal point.
Sarah Paulson pairs her crystal heels with a whimsical two-tone crystal-embellished Erdem gown featuring an ivory plunging bodice with bow shoulders and a drop waist, and a crinkled pink skirt with red ribbons (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)
Julianne Hough’s Black Saint Laurent Pumps Sharpen Her Minimalist White Tom Ford Gown
Julianne Hough, who introduced Rachel Zegler’s tribute to A Chorus Line and later performed alongside an all-star lineup that included Queen Latifah, Pink, and more in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Chicago Broadway revival, embraced a minimalist yet striking aesthetic at the 2026 Tony Awards. Dressed in a sleek white Tom Ford gown and black Saint Laurent heels, she proved that simplicity can make just as much of a statement as an embellished red carpet look.
Hough chose Saint Laurent’s “Manon” pumps, a refined silhouette that combines classic Parisian elegance with modern architectural details. Crafted in Italy from black silk shantung, the pumps featured elongated squared toes and delicate ankle straps finished with crystal-embellished buckles, adding subtle sparkle without disrupting the shoe’s clean lines.
The style has also been worn by Zoe Saldaña and Aubrey Plaza, underscoring its growing status as a quiet red-carpet favorite.
Julianne Hough keeps things clean and sophisticated with black Saint Laurent “Manon” pumps featuring elongated squared toes and an ankle strap with a crystal buckle (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)
The pumps’ sharp silhouette and slim stiletto heels provided a striking contrast to Hough’s fluid white Tom Ford gown, lending structure and sophistication to the minimalist look.
From the front, the dress looked understated, thanks to its mock neckline and sculpted cap sleeves. The dramatic open side cutouts, however, revealed glimpses of skin, giving the minimalist silhouette a daring edge.
The gown featured a relaxed fit that skimmed Julianne’s frame effortlessly, then fell into a sleek column skirt with a thigh-high slit, showcasing her toned dancer legs, injecting a touch of daring glamour into the otherwise streamlined, contemporary design.
With such a strong neckline, a necklace was unnecessary. Instead, Hough accessorized with Maison Merenor Diamond Oblong earrings in 18k yellow gold and platinum, featuring 70 pavé-set round brilliant diamonds totaling 1.55 carats.
She completed the look with a sleek, wet-look side-parted bob, softly defined eyes, sculpted cheeks, and a nude-pink lip that enhanced her natural features.
Julianne Hough pairs her black pumps with a crisp white Tom Ford dress featuring a mock neckline and cap sleeves, and styles the look with Maison Merenor earrings (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)
From Crystal Heels to Statement Boots: Sarah Paulson and Julianne Hough’s Best Shoe Moments
While Sarah Paulson’s crystal Aquazzura sandals and Julianne Hough’s Saint Laurent pumps reflected two very different approaches to red-carpet dressing at the 2026 Tony Awards, both women have built impressive footwear portfolios over the years.
Paulson has embraced everything from Celine’s sleek “Cheri” boots and sculptural Jude “Fame” pumps to crystal-detailed Giuseppe Zanotti heels and Nicholas Kirkwood’s elegant “Leda” pumps, consistently using footwear to reinforce her distinctive fashion point of view.
Hough’s style journey has been equally varied, ranging from the minimalist appeal of her Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” sandals to the mix of Bottega Veneta platforms, Schutz slingbacks, and mesh heels featured throughout her press-tour wardrobe.
Whether embracing dramatic embellishment or clean-lined minimalism, both women continue to demonstrate how thoughtfully chosen shoes can shape the overall impact of a red-carpet look.