One of the greatest parts of Amazon Prime's hard sci-fi series The Expanse is its detailed futuristic costume design. And no character showcases costume designer Joanne Hansen's talents more than Chrisjen Avasarala, played by the incomparable actress Shohreh Aghdashloo.
No matter what United Nations General Secretary Avasarala does or where she goes, she is always dressed on point. In a show with meticulously crafted spacesuits and apocalyptic future fashion, Madam Secretary's intricate, traditional saris and suits stand out beautifully like her strong will. While fans are working hard to catalog every single one of her amazing outfits, here are Avasarala's 10 best dresses that prove we are unworthy of her excellence.
10 The Stargazing Sari
When the asteroid Eros was plummeting toward earth, no one in the United Nations government knew if they could stop it in time to avoid massive casualties. The UN ordered the evacuation of everyone in cities into bunkers and off-world, but Avasarala bravely chose to say goodbye to her family and stay on Earth, staring at the open sky when it was about to fall on her. In previous scenes, she would often lay on the roof with her grandson, wearing a beautiful blue sari with intricate gold and red trim. Luckily, Detective Joe Miller helped divert Eros into Venus, saving Earth for the time.
9 Owning The Situation Room
No matter the situation or the room, Avasarala always knows how to command it. Even when she was merely Deputy Undersecretary, Avasarala wasn't afraid to make a statement with bold royal colors, slick updo, and heavy bedazzling jewelry. She would vouch for Captain James Holden's loyalties, call Belter faction leader Fred Johnson in a crisis, and never back down without good reason from the other men at the table.
Costume designer Hansen said they decided to "have no rules around draping a sari, have no rules about putting a jacket with it. Have maybe a 16th or 17th-century shape and collar with a traditionally wrapped sari, or a completely untraditionally wrapped sari. We looked to female leaders of the world and tried to just be very independent, and very female, and very powerful."
8 United Nations Swagger
Even early on in the show, Avasarala can be seen gliding confidently through the United Nations headquarters in alternate future New York City, where half the city seems to be flooded and the population is living on basic assistance. With long braid and a simple gold fabric belt wrapped around her maroon pallu that matches her blouse sleeves, Avasarala greets her colleagues with all the swagger of someone bound for that General Secretary life. Her friend and UN Ambassador to Mars, Frank DeGraaf, meets her in this scene. He later tells the story of her as a child playing cards, where she would "do anything to win." The truth is, Frank: she is always winning.
7 That's Madam Secretary To You
Avasarala managed to uncover the conspiracy in her own government that led to the imprisonment of Undersecretary Sadavir Errinwright and the resignation of Secretary-General Esteban Sorrento-Gillis. She then became the de facto leader of the Earth government. Addressing her people, she was always expertly coiffed. Here, she wore a strong crystal clear neckpiece, bracelet, and earrings, letting us see the light accent pattern in her dark dress. The golden framing of the UN symbol above her head makes her almost look like a crowned queen – which she totally is.
6 Discovering Intergalactic Portals
Even when faced with the daunting news of hundreds of ancient alien star gates opening around in the galaxy, Avasarala kept her cool and looked incredibly fly. She wore a beautifully woven, gold-embroidered and plum-colored sari, with a look on her face that could only be wondering, "What did you do this time, James Holden?!"
Actress Aghdashloo explains that she drew her character's fashion inspiration in later seasons from politicians like Nancy Pelosi, describing the realization that "maybe Avasarala needs a haircut, maybe she needs a new outfit. All the time I was [playing Avasarala I was] with Nancy Pelosi.”
5 Enhanced Interrogation Sari
The very first outfit we see Avasarala wearing in the series premiere is a golden orange sari with round hoop earrings. In this getup, she went from lovingly playing with her grandson in her home to ruthlessly interrogating a Belter OPA operative in a UN black site torture chamber. The episode set up her character perfectly: she could be the loving and unassuming grandma, but also a cunning and cold-hearted politician. Avasarala didn't even change outfits because she inhabits both worlds at once. If any other planetary denizen tried to mess with her, she would not hesitate to let the weight of Earth's gravity take them down.
4 Woke Up Like This
In the most recent season, we watched Avasarala face her most formidable political opponent yet – Nancy Gao, who ran against her in Avasarala's first-ever real election. She had always been a career (appointed) politician, so she felt getting in front of the debate podium was beneath her. It eventually costs her big time. Following election coverage in the privacy of her own home, she let her hair down but still somehow managed to look stunning in a white South Asian style smock. Even without the heavy bling, Avasarala shines effortlessly.
3 Whatever She Likes (Peace Meeting Perfection)
Thanks to Amazon Prime saving the show from Syfy's cancellation, fans get something they've always wanted: more swearing. Avasarala's character in the books was known as a big potty mouth, so having her uncensored curses is definitely a blessing. One of her best swearing lines in the Syfy series accompanies another killer outfit.
At the Earth-Mars peace treaty talks where Martian soldier Roberta "Bobby" Draper is asked to falsely testify, Avasarala begins deeply questioning Bobby and connecting with her about life on their respective planets. When asked irritably by Martian ambassadors where she was going with her line of questioning, Avasarala smilingly responds, "wherever I goddamn like." Also, her outfit is perfect: the necklace is regal and gem-laden and she's showing off her blue Earth pride.
2 Julie Mao's Flight Suit
Avasarala in space should be a fish out of water, but she absolutely killed it by donning the white Razorback flight suit of racing pilot (and very important season one character), Julie Mao. Escaping from Jules-Pierre Mao's ship, Avasarala and Bobby end up flying the Razorback to the safety of the Rocinante. Avasarala was so drop-dead gorgeous that Rocinante crew member Amos Burton definitely developed a fashion crush on her while helping her walk in space boots. Recently in season four, Amos asked Holden, "what was she wearing?" the last time Holden met her. Maybe it was a crush. Maybe he just respected her utter fashion dominance. Why not both?
1 Red Riding Hood
Unparalleled cinematography help elevate this unbelievable cloak and dress to the top of the Avasarala outfit list. The red fur hood and billowing fabric contrasted with the miles of white Montana snow as Avasarala made her way to James Holden's family farm. Holden was born to an eight-person polyamorous collective living on independent (non-government controlled) land. Some called him a "tax break," but Avasarala learned that his family truly loved him and cultivated his paladin sense of justice. Her bright colors and blinding accessories showed how she's not interested in being stealthy; she boldly investigated and eschewed her security detail in her quest to find the truth.