Odessa A'zion Has Never Hired a Stylist for This Specific Reason (Exclusive)

Ahead of the 2026 Gotham TV Awards, A'zion shared with PEOPLE why she takes charge of her red carpet looks

NEED TO KNOW

• Odessa A’zion styles herself for red carpet events, including hair and makeup
• She has collaborated with brands like Maison Valentino and designer Harris Reed for custom looks while managing her own styling
• A’zion stars in HBO’s I Love LA, which won Breakthrough Comedy Series at the Gotham TV Awards, and appeared in the Oscar-nominated film Marty Supreme

From her statement-making red carpet looks to her voluminous head of curls, actress Odessa A'zion manages her style and glam all by herself.

In the months since her run as a vivacious influencer in the comedy TV series I Love LA and a romantic lead in Marty Supreme, A'zion, 25, embarked on a marathon of fashion-forward appearances. The actress spoke to PEOPLE at the Gotham TV Awards on June 1 about why she chooses to take on big red carpet moments without a stylist.

"I like dressing myself anyway, in my real life," A'zion told PEOPLE. "So, why would I not dress myself for other real life things?"

As for whether the decision to dress herself was a conscious choice, A'zion said, “Yes and no.”

“I just never took the meetings for a stylist, and then I ran out of time,” she added.

Ultimately, it was a matter of navigating style and fashion based on her personal tastes. “I know what I like to wear,” A'zion said.

For A'zion, it's “fun sometimes” to self-style, but can also be “very stressful” to manage all elements of her look. 

“It is a lot of work because I'm bringing a million suitcases, and I'm doing my own hair and makeup, and then dressing myself,” A'zion told PEOPLE.

The visibility of her work when at high-profile events, from the 2026 Oscars red carpet to the GQ Men of the Year Party, also adds pressure.

“For award season and press and stuff like that, you have to wear a lot more than you would in your life," A'zion said. “And then, people see it. It's not one outfit, and people see it more often, and have more to say about it.”

For the Gotham TV Awards, A'zion debuted a look from New York-based brand MONSE's Resort 2027 Collection — a red collared shirt and pinstripe trousers, which she paired with a Led Zeppelin belt, a pair of leather bracelets and a curly updo. 

“Brands have been very, very generous and lent me stuff, and I'm so grateful to them for doing that,” A'zion added. “It feels very warm that people are open to me borrowing their stuff and letting me wear [it].”

A'zion collaborated with Maison Valentino for her 2026 Met Gala look in early May, where she did her own hair and makeup to complement a custom dress that she helped to design. 

In March, she walked the red carpet at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in a dress designed by Harris Reed, a British-American fashion designer and A'zion's family friend, as reported by the publication.

Additionally, A'zion attended the New York premiere of Marty Supreme on December 16 in a dress she designed in collaboration with design house L'Atelier 7474 and Maison Privée in Los Angeles, according to Nylon.

A'zion attended the Gotham TV Awards in support of the comedy series I Love LA, which won Breakthrough Comedy Series that same evening. In the series, she plays Tallulah Stiel, an influencer who crashes back into the personal and professional life of her college best friend Maia Simsbury (Rachel Sennott). Josh Hutcherson, Jordan Firstman and True Whitaker also star in the ensemble series. 

The show, which was released last year on HBO and HBO Max on November 2, was renewed for a second season on November 20. 

A'zion also told PEOPLE that she awaits what drama Sennott, who serves as writer and creator of the show, too, has concocted for her character in the episodes to come. 

“Rachel's writing right now and cooking up, so I'm very excited to see what she's going to do, but I don't know,” A'zion said. “It's a surprise."

Read the full article here