Ruth Negga Does a Whimsical Turn at the Latest ‘Loving’ Premiere

Irish-Ethiopian actress Ruth Negga is already receiving Oscar buzz for her new film Loving, and the movie hasn’t even wrapped up its premiere schedule. It first burst into the awards conversation back in May when it debuted at Cannes, and the buzz has been quietly building since then. Loving most recently bowed in Los Angeles, and a whole radiant crowd showed up to celebrate: actors Joel Edgerton and Colin Firth, designer Tom Ford, and, of course, Negga herself, resplendent as usual in a floor-length lace gown. But while she’s been doing a lot of Prada lately, on Thursday night, she swapped out Miuccia for Pierpaolo Piccioli and went with a white and ivory Chanel gown. Spoiler alert: It worked.

Who: Ruth Negga.

When: Thursday, October 20.

Where: The Los Angeles premiere of Loving with Joel Edgerton in West Hollywood, California.

What: A white and ivory gown by Valentino with bell sleeves, lace detail, and a dainty contrasting collar, Nicholas Kirkwood shoes, and Ana Khouri jewelry, combined with natural hair, a dark eye, and a bright red lip.

Why: It might really be the beauty topping off the look that does it: Negga manages to pull off a tough shade of orange-red that provides the perfect vintage vibe to accompany an elegant lace dress. The dress has a hint of Valentino’s classic romanticism mixed with a whimsical edge — the embroidered imagery of pyramids, cacti, soaring birds, and oases provoke a second look at an otherwise traditionally elegant design. For his solo debut at Valentino following the departure of Maria Grazia Chiuri to Dior, Pierpaolo Piccioli said he sought inspiration in the work of Zandra Rhodes, known for her playful prints and use of color. The influence is clear in the subtlety of this design; it’s the perfect red carpet dress because, at first glance, it’s simple, beautiful, flattering, but a further look reveals layers of detail.