On October 5, 2014, the premiere of FX’s American Horror Story: Freak Show brought a tightly edited mix of modern glamour and Old Hollywood drama to the red carpet at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
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While the series itself leaned into spectacle, the fashion moments told a more refined story—defined by sculptural silhouettes, rich textures, and carefully chosen heels that elevated each look.
From velvet gowns paired with minimalist stilettos to high-slit dresses grounded by statement cage heels, the night offered a clear snapshot of early-2010s red-carpet style—where drama came not from excess, but from precision.
Below, we break down the standout outfits and footwear worn by Lea Michele, Emma Roberts, Sarah Paulson, and Becca Tobin, focusing on the design details and shoe choices that made each look resonate then—and still feel relevant now.
1. Lea Michele in Cushnie et Ochs Velvet & Chelsea Paris Sandals
Lea Michele flaunts her legs at the premiere screening of FX’s American Horror Story: Freak Show at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood on October 5, 2014, wearing a teal Cushnie et Ochs velvet dress styled with Chelsea Paris Sade sandals and a Vince Camuto Shattered Glass clutch (Credit: WENN / FayesVision / Nikki Nelson / Adriana M. Barraza)
Lea Michele—though not part of the cast—commanded the red carpet in a strapless teal velvet Cushnie et Ochs dress, elongating her legs with delicate, high-heeled Chelsea Paris Sade sandals whose barely-there straps and architectural stiletto perfectly balanced the gown’s sultry neckline and thigh-high slit.
Lea Michele’s strapless teal velvet dress (Credit: WENN / FayesVision / Nikki Nelson / Adriana M. Barraza)
2. Emma Roberts in Saint Laurent Cutouts & Casadei Cage Heels
The lovely Emma Roberts also rocked the seductive but glamorous look. Julia Roberts’ niece wore a stunning Saint Laurent gown that featured sequin embellishments, cutout details, and a thigh-high slit.
Emma Roberts pairs her black cutout gown with delicate black strappy high-heel sandals, letting the minimalist footwear sharpen the drama of the thigh-high slit and open back (Credit: WENN / FayesVision / Nikki Nelson / Adriana M. Barraza)
Amping up the glam, Emma wore dramatic eye makeup and kept her hair in a messy bun. She finished with a pair of sexy Casadei cage heels.
Emma Roberts wears her hair in a messy bun with dramatic eye makeup
3. Sarah Paulson in Zac Posen Satin & Classic Ankle-Strap Heels
Sarah Paulson was a glorious sight in her Zac Posen duchess satin dress. First, the deep blue color looked perfect on her flawless skin.
Sarah Paulson grounds her sculptural blue satin dress with simple black ankle-strap heels, allowing the architectural neckline and fluted hem to remain the focal point (Credit: WENN / FayesVision / Nikki Nelson / Adriana M. Barraza)
Additionally, the dress featured an impeccable design, with pleated cape-style sleeves and a trumpet skirt, perfectly accentuating Sarah’s small waist and curvy figure.
Sarah Paulson’s dress features pleated cape-style sleeves and a trumpet skirt
4. Becca Tobin in a Red Midi Dress & Pointed-Toe Pumps
Glee star Becca Tobin opted for an effortless red dress with a high neckline and a flowy midi skirt. While this might be the simplest dress we have seen during the event, it totally works with her sleek, straight hair and minimalist accessories.
Becca Tobin completes her streamlined red midi dress with classic pointed-toe pumps in a warm neutral tone, adding polish without distracting from the clean silhouette (Credit: WENN / FayesVision / Nikki Nelson / Adriana M. Barraza)
American Horror Story’s Most Memorable Red Carpet Shoe Moments
Across its many seasons, American Horror Story has inspired a distinct red-carpet aesthetic—one that balances theatrical silhouettes with polished, often surprisingly restrained footwear choices.
From premiere nights to cast appearances, these moments show how shoes play a critical role in grounding dramatic fashion. For readers who want to explore more AHS-related looks, the following articles offer deeper dives into standout outfits and the heels that completed them.
👠 American Horror Story Shoe & Fashion Articles on YourNextShoes.com:
- 🎬 AHS: Freak Show Premiere Delivers Bold Fashion — Naomi Grossman, Amazon Eve & More — A detailed look at standout fashion moments from the American Horror Story: Freak Show premiere in Hollywood, including elegant T-strap pumps and platform shoes that made the red carpet memorable.
- 📸 Best Dressed at FX’s American Horror Story: Freak Show Premiere — Recap of the top red carpet looks and footwear from the Freak Show premiere, featuring high-slit gowns paired with Chelsea Paris sandals and Casadei heels.
- ✨ Jenna Dewan’s Best Early Red-Carpet Looks — Includes coverage of Jenna Dewan’s appearance at the American Horror Story: Asylum premiere, including a Reem Acra dress styled with gold metallic heels.