Leave it to Gillian Anderson to make a legendary feminist statement with her fashion.
At the 81st Golden Globe Awards, the American-British actor arrived in a custom ivory gown from Gabriela Hearst that seemed unassuming upon first glance, but featured quite the headline-grabbing motif upon a closer look.
In case you missed it, the strapless silk corset gown’s bell skirt was embroidered with an intricate series of vulvas—a choice that would certainly make the blunt sex-therapist mother Anderson plays on Netflix’s Sex Education proud.
The hand-sewn anatomical decorations were done in a white thread that popped ever so slightly against the cream gown, but still remained subtle. According to the designer’s official Instagram account, the dress was made in New York City at the in-house studio, and each motif took about three and a half hours to embroider.
Anderson was styled by Martha Ward, who paired the custom gown with silver strappy heeled sandals and a matching silver semicircular mini pouch, both from Aquazzura. To round out the fit, the actor sported jewelry from Chopard.
“So pleased to collaborate with my friend @gabrielahearst on this beautiful custom embroidered dress,” the Crown alum wrote on Instagram. Anderson also acknowledged her makeup artist, Sage Maitri DiRodio, and hairstylist, Ian James.
In a conversation with British Vogue, Anderson explained why she chose the gown. “Since my Instagram presence has been highlighting yonis”—the Sanskrit word for vagina, which can also mean womb or any other source of female creation—“since Sex Education landed on Netflix, and with the mantra of my brand G-Spot being to ‘prioritize pleasure,’ I wanted to bring this element into the design,” the X-Files star said. “I’m so pleased Gabriela was up for the challenge!”
Joel is the editorial and social media assistant for HarpersBAZAAR.com, where he covers all things celebrity news. When he steps away from the keyboard, you can likely find him singing off-key at concerts, scavenging thrift stores for loud wardrobe staples, or perusing bookstores for the next great gay romance novel.
