The Boulevard de la Croisette—the ritzy setting of the seaside province’s annual Cannes Film Festival—couldn’t be further from the arid and rusty Australian outback roads Anya Taylor-Joy traverses in George Miller’s Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. As so, the actress departed from the petrolhead aesthetic of the prequel’s titular character for a gown discernibly more appropriate for the setting.
In champagne tulle embroidered with sequins and glistening Tiffany & Co. jewellery, it’s hard to picture Taylor-Joy as the skinhead and grease-slicken lead desperately trying to drive her way back home.
Her custom haute couture gown from Dior, designed by creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri, offers none of the neo-apocalyptic hallmarks of Taylor-Joy’s previous press tour ensembles. Rather, a strapless corseted bodice and tulle skirt made over with over 1,200 hours of embroidery.
Of course, Taylor-Joy’s propensity as a style chameleon—that is, snapping into a fashion character and adapting to the sartorial setting required of her—is partly what has made “method dressing” the red carpet approach du jour. While instincts might’ve had us believing the star would ride in wearing biker leather and scorched earth couture, the newlywed has masterfully defied expectations by doing the contrary.
As the most stylish woman would tell you: When the pendulum shifts so far to one side, it’s often best to do the latter.
The “Old Hollywood” aesthetic Taylor-Joy presented was complete with a soft updo and opulent accessories from Tiffany & Co. high jewellery. Her statement undulating platinum necklace contained 68 carats of diamonds alone. Imagine what value that resource would have in Mad Max’s desretm wasteland universe.
But on the Côte d’Azur, this type of opulence is not only anticipated, it’s demanded. Hollywood and Cannes have always been inextricably linked, and on the second day of the proceedings, Taylor-Joy has cemented herself as a leading lady worthy of her name in lights. Stage lights, not headlights, that is.
Taylor-Joy was joined by her co-star Chris Hemsworth, Elsa Pataky and the film’s director and creator, George Miller. With a run time of over two hours, it’s safe to say this epic action-adventure warranted every second of the six-minute standing ovation it received upon its premiere
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga crashes into Australian theatres on May 24. Until then, watch the trailer below.
