Shogun Star Anna Sawai Is the New It Girl to Watch on the Red Carpet

Ever since her breakout role on Shōgun, Anna Sawai has been a rising star on the red carpet.

The actress and former singer, who earned well-deserved acclaim for her captivating performance on the FX hit, a retelling of the 1975 James Clavell novel, the story of an English sailor who has landed in feudal Japan — crowned by a historic Emmy win as the first Asian woman to receive the award for Lead Actress in a Drama Series — is not only captivating audiences on screen but also commanding attention from fashion critics on the crimson rug with her increasingly refined style.

Her ascent on the red carpet has read like a masterclass in modern elegance. Under the discerning eye of celebrity stylist Karla Welch, Sawai, 35, has cultivated a distinct sartorial vernacular, characterized by an understated yet impactful approach to monochromatic dressing, where she consistently demonstrates a keen understanding of proportion and balance.

Such was the case at the 2024 Emmy Awards, where Sawai accepted her golden statuette on stage in a striking vermillion Vera Wang gown. The dress, with its sculptural bustier and double tiered skirt, balanced a body-conscious design with bold color — not to mention, impeccable fit. Her red dress was a sentimental and stylish tribute to her character and her emotional growth throughout the season,” Sawai explained to Vogue at the time.

This delicate equilibrium between structure and sensuality is a recurring motif in Sawai’s most memorable looks. For further proof, look at the bespoke cobalt blue Louis Vuitton creation she chose for the WWD Style Awards in January 2025, where she received the inaugural Fashion Newcomer style award. She looked the part in a crop top with draped strong-shoulder sleeves, defined by clean, geometric lines, which provided a striking counterpoint to her fluid silk skirt.

At the 2025 Golden Globes in January, Sawai further solidified her fashion credentials in a bespoke Dior dress (earning a coveted spot on Vogue’s best-dressed list). The stark-white column featured a meticulously defined corset top with a peplum waist. This collaboration with Dior has since blossomed into a formal ambassadorship, suggesting a continued stream of fashion wins made in partnership with creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri.

Her accessories were also well worthy of an accolade, as she gave Us a sartorial history lesson in haute joaillerie, donning the Honeymoon Necklace from Cartier’s 1996 La Création collection. The reversible work of art, crafted in 18-carat white-and-yellow gold with brilliant-cut diamonds, was as versatile as it was glamorous. Paired with a Cartier Collection ring in 18-katrat white gold and diamonds, she effortlessly blended vintage elegance with modern allure.

For the prestigious Academy Museum Gala in October 2024, Sawai once again turned to custom Louis Vuitton, this time embracing a more avant-garde, asymmetrical shape. Her dramatic ball skirt was just one element of this statement-making ensemble, which also featured a subtly slanted bodice.

While her brand of glamour is wholly her own, Sawai has also shown a playful willingness to experiment with more directional trends right off the runway, as evidenced by the diaphanous, if not daring, hook-and-eye embellished Prada stunner she wore to the Shōgun premiere in February 2024.

While Sawai’s fashion profile may have reached a new level of prominence in 2024, the multitude of equally magnificent looks she has turned out in 2025 show no signs of slowing down. We can’t wait to see what the actress wears next.