Halle Bailey knows how to stay on-theme. Throughout The Little Mermaid press tour, the actress and singer has stepped out in the most ethereal, oceanic ensembles you could ever dream of, worthy of her on-screen character, Princess Ariel.
On Monday, Bailey arrived at the U.K. premiere of the new Disney adaptation in a white customembellished silk gown by designer Miss Sohee, styled by Nichole Goodman. The gown featured a plunging neckline with silver bedazzled halter straps, sheer mesh paneling and a backless silhouette. To really bring Ariel realness, it featured a shell-themed pleated tulle trim along the bust and the iridescent silver sequins formed the shape of fins at her sides. The skirt tapered before extending to (what else?) a mermaid-style train.
Bailey completed her mermaid-core look with a silver petal Swarovski crystal headpiece and diamond and pearl drop earrings. The star commemorated the occasion on social media, writing, “🇬🇧❣️big thank you to London for celebrating our film tonight with us 🤍🧜🏽♀️10 more days.”
The style moment is just one of many mermaid-inspired looks Bailey has worn while promoting the film. She’s chosen designs from Valdrin Sahiti, Georges Chakra, Maison Yeya and more.
But she wasn’t the only star of the evening embracing the theme of “under the sea.” Melissa McCarthy, who portrays the villainous Ursula, walked the blue carpet in a hot pink Valentino ruffled button-down floor-length gown with Gismondi 1754 jewels, styled by Katja Cahill.
Bridgerton star Simone Ashley, who plays one of Ariel’s mermaid sisters, Indira, took similar sartorial cues, wearing a cream-colored tiered ruffled sheath dress from Victoria Beckham’s Fall/Winter 2023 ready-to-wear collection, with metallic platform Jimmy Choo sandals and Venyx By Eugenie Niarchos jewelry, styled by Rebecca Corbin-Murray.
Bailey will make history as the first Black actress to portray princess Ariel in The Little Mermaid. Directed by Rob Marshall, the adaptation includes new music from Lin-Manuel Miranda, teamed with Bailey’s outstanding vocals.
The Little Mermaid will hit theaters May 26, 2023.
