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, the newly-appointed creative director of Nina Ricci took inspiration from William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” with Pugh ending her monologue, saying: “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 hoop and star earrings, and a scene-stealing oversized 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,” Reed said of Pugh opening the show for their 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 neck 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’s a fan of the reality show and has been DM-ing Rinna for three years, but hadn’t met her in real life until now.
Pugh also took the opportunity to thank the fashion designer for inviting her to compère the show. “You wear yourself. 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,” the 27-year-old wrote. “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 longtime stylist Rebecca Corbin-Murray, she 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.
Read ahead to see more photos of Pugh at the Harris Reed show.