Hunter Schafer in Black Velvet Prada at the Academy Museum Gala

Hunter Schafer is Prada's most reliable red-carpet argument, and for the 2026 Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles the house made her a black velvet gown, custom, cut long and lean with the fabric doing the talking. Velvet absorbs light where satin throws it, so on a carpet of beads and crystals it was the one dress that looked like a shadow. Below, why it works and the evening dresses on BranSpot that get you there.

The look

Variety and WWD both credited the gown as custom Prada in black velvet (Variety, WWD). The cut is simple on purpose: velvet needs no embellishment because the pile itself changes tone as she moves, from near-black to charcoal. Hair pulled back, minimal jewellery, and a minimalist sandal, which WWD noted as the shoe most of the room wore.

How to wear it

Prada is in our network with around two and a half thousand pieces and velvet gowns are everywhere this season. Mac Duggal's velvet and lace halter column is the closest line; Alessandra Rich's puff-shoulder velvet gown is the romantic version; Alex Perry's Tierney, in a deep blueberry velvet, is for the night you want the fabric in a colour. A plain black pump and one pair of earrings, and stop.

Get the look

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  The dressMac DuggalMac Duggal Velvet and Lace Halter Column Gown$698Black velvet, halter, column. The line of the Prada at a fraction of custom.Shop the piece
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  The romantic takeAlessandra RichCrystal-Embellished Puff-Shoulder Velvet Gown - IT 40$970Black velvet with puff shoulders. The vintage reading of the same fabric.Shop the piece
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  The colourAlex PerryTierney Blueberry Velvet Column Gown - AU 8$2,100Alex Perry's Tierney in blueberry velvet. The same column for the night you want the fabric in a colour.Shop the piece
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  ShoesGucciGucci Slingback Pumps 85mm$593A black Gucci slingback pump; velvet does not want a shoe that competes.Shop the piece
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  Jewellerymaison-margielaMaison Margiela Rectangular Drop Earrings$645One rectangular silver drop against all that black.Shop the piece

This look is part of our 2026 Academy Museum Gala coverage: Academy Museum Gala 2026: the red carpet looks worth copying. More red-carpet looks on the BranSpot blog.

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