Paul Anthony Kelly has spent much of the year in a distinctly JFK Jr. sartorial register. At the American Horror Story: 13 premiere last night at New York’s Hotel Chelsea, however, the actor traded Kennedy prep for something darker, slick, and a little kinky.
Styled by Warren Alfie Baker, Kelly wore an all-black Hermès look comprising a single-breasted suit jacket, shirt, and tie—but rather than the expected louche tailoring and earthy color palette, he slipped into a pair of tight black leather pants. Jacques Marie Mage sunglasses pushed things further into after-dark territory, while a Vacheron Constantin watch, with its teal-blue crocodile strap, provided the evening’s only flash of color.
Leather has had a slyly stylish moment in menswear over the past year, too, with the likes of Alexander Skarsgård and Pedro Pascal reaching for it in lieu of more conventional suiting. On Kelly, the effect was similarly subversive.
It’s a markedly different direction for Paul Anthony Kelly, whose wardrobe over the past year has settled into the same suave sartorial rhythm as his on-screen character in Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette.
There have been preppy Ralph Lauren blazers and checked bomber jackets, crisp Chanel button-downs, louche trousers, and loafers; on the red carpet, meanwhile, he has leaned into the immaculate tailoring of Giuliva Heritage and Dior. Where those looks suggested the easy patrician polish of JFK Jr., last night’s Hermès vibe proved he’s moved on from the Love Story method dressing.
The upcoming season marks Kelly’s first major role since starring as JFK Jr. opposite Sarah Pidgeon in Love Story. He joins a host of starry new additions to Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story, including Alex Consani, Avantika, and Madelaine Petsch, alongside plenty of the anthology’s familiar faces.
His new company was certainly in step with the darker mood. Angela Bassett wore a petal-skirted Falguni Shane Peacock gown, while Sarah Paulson chose a Valentino dress with a tulle-and-mesh bodice.
Jessica Lange took a more tailored route in a Valentino midi.
It’s not yet been revealed what his role is in the next installment of the beloved anthology, but if Love Story established Paul Anthony Kelly as one of culture’s most convincing proponents of JFK Jr.-core, American Horror Story is sending him over to the dark side.