London Fashion Week opened with a touch of Hollywood glamour on Feb. 16, courtesy of Florence Pugh. The actor made a surprise appearance on the runway of the Harris Reed fall/winter 2023 show at the Tate Modern wearing a harlequin sequin skirt with a thigh-high slit, a black corset top with hip cutouts, and a huge disc hat as she delivered an opening monologue to kick off the show.
“Clothing has transformative power. Whether for an actor or simply a performer on the stage of life, the art of dressing up allows us to express who we truly are, creating a safe space to inhabit in a sometimes-judgmental world,” she said while walking the spotlit runway. Bringing drama to the capital, Reed, the newly appointed creative director of Nina Ricci, took inspiration from William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” with Pugh ending her monologue: “Our costumes can change who we want to be seen as and who we are destined to be. I invite you to embrace the lamé and sequins of life, because all the world’s a stage.”
Pugh’s look deserved its moment in the spotlight. The harlequin silver and black sequined pattern on her skirt, sleeves, and cape brought a theatrical feel to the runway. Worn with a black corset bodysuit with a double-scooped neckline and hip cutouts, black knee-high platform boots, Harris Reed x Missoma pearl moon and star earrings, and a scene-stealing oversize disc hat, the “Don’t Worry Darling” star commanded the space. Hairstylist Peter Lux was responsible for her swept-back hair with her bangs styled into a voluminous quiff, while makeup artist Alex Babsky gave her a feline eyeliner flick and soft peach lips.
“She is the most amazing actor at the moment, and she really loved the idea of something that felt much more than an up-and-down catwalk.”
“She is the most amazing actor at the moment, and she really loved the idea of something that felt much more than an up-and-down catwalk,” Reed said of Pugh opening the show for the aptly named All the World’s a Stage collection. She is not the only A-lister to be a fan of Reed’s gender-fluid work, either. Harry Styles wore a black velvet suit and black organza corsage by the designer on the Brits red carpet on Feb. 11.
After the show, Pugh, who is rumored to be dating Charlie Gooch after the pair were spotted together in London last week, took to Instagram to give behind-the-scenes access, which included hanging out with guests Jodie Turner-Smith and “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Lisa Rinna. In fact, Pugh even revealed she is a fan of the reality show and that she’s been DMing Rinna for three years, though they hadn’t met in real life until the event.
Pugh also took the opportunity to thank Reed for inviting her to compere the show. “You wear yourself,” the 27-year-old wrote. “And what you want to be seen as. I’m so grateful to be involved in @harris_reed show. It was an honour and it was a privilege. My teen self would have been screaming. Fashion is such an expression of life and love for me.”
And Pugh has certainly been having fun with her looks of late. Working with Rebecca Corbin-Murray, her longtime stylist, Pugh has recently worn the divisive peplum trend in the form of a red-hot Robert Wun dress, appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair’s Hollywood issue in a naked cutout Valentino look, and glittered in gold Valentino sequins, to name a few.
See more photos of Pugh at the Harris Reed show ahead.
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