Sarah Pidgeon Channels Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s Timeless Style at SAG-AFTRA’s 32nd Actor Awards
At the 32nd Annual Actor Awards, presented by SAG-AFTRA this past Sunday, actress Sarah Pidgeon delivered a striking sartorial moment that simultaneously nodded to the past and embraced the present. Attending the star-studded ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Pidgeon’s ensemble was a modern reinterpretation of the late Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s iconic style — but with a contemporary twist that only a fashion-forward muse like Pidgeon could pull off.
The actress, best known for her portrayal of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, served a refined yet fashion-forward look by choosing a pastel-hued balloon gown from Balenciaga’s Spring 2026 collection. The strapless gown, which showcased an effortlessly sculpted silhouette, played with volume in a sophisticated dance of shape and form. A sleek, straight torso gently flowed into a cinched waist, before billowing out into a voluminous rounded skirt. The juxtaposition of fluidity and structure evoked a sense of modern elegance, evoking an ethereal silhouette without overwhelming the frame.
To ground the whimsical volume of her gown, Pidgeon chose Balenciaga’s Duchesse pumps in the brand’s pristine White Snow shade. A true work of footwear art, the pumps were crafted from smooth napa lambskin and featured a dramatic pointed toe and deep V-cut vamp that artfully exposed the top of the foot. The chic stiletto heel, with a glossy, tone-on-tone finish, came in at a height of 90mm, making it both statuesque and elegant. Retailing for $1,190, the pumps are also available in black and pink, and have a ballet-flat version that is poised to make its debut on Balenciaga’s site.
Pidgeon’s refined look didn’t stop with her gown and shoes. The finishing touches—diamond Rahaminov studs, a matching ring, and a minimalist low ponytail styled by Emma Jade Morrison—rounded out her appearance with understated elegance. A soft, radiant makeup palette, curated by makeup artist Emily Cheng, was designed with the ethos of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in mind. Using products from Hailey Bieber’s Rhode collection, including the new Peptide Lip Boost Plumping Lip Mask in Sugarmint and the Caffeine Reset Sculpting Cream Mask, Cheng sculpted Pidgeon’s face to perfection. To accentuate her features, the use of the NuFace Trinity+ device ensured a delicate yet effective contour.
The night’s appearance came at the tail end of a whirlwind month for the actress, who’s been busy promoting Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, which premiered on FX and Hulu on February 12. Pidgeon’s red-carpet appearances during the press tour have been a masterclass in channeling Bessette-Kennedy’s iconic 90s minimalism while infusing a modern, playful energy into her looks.
From vampy lips to flirty baby-doll blush, Pidgeon embodied the essence of chic sophistication—an arresting, effortlessly glamorous homage to one of the most beloved style icons of the 1990s
