The 2000s: Keira Knightley
Although she’s acted in several period movies—including her latest, Anna Karenina (opening November 16), in which she’s laced into a corset—Knightley always seems like an utterly modern girl. Instead of relying on her beauty, she has an innate and disarming curiosity and an appealingly direct manner, and like all the best women of the last decade, she’s up for a challenge.
What fashion trend from the past 10 years do you particularly dislike? I think skinny jeans and micro-miniskirts are very unfriendly. I’ve been known to wear both, but on some days it seems like they were invented to make you feel bad about yourself.
What’s your favorite movie from the last decade? I have two: The Beat That My Heart Skipped is a French film I’ve watched again and again. It’s so rough and yet still kind of beautiful—I just love the juxtaposition of serenity and violence. And My Life Without Me is understated and heartbreaking. The fact that the main character doesn’t tell anyone she’s very ill—it gets me every single time.
Who from the past 10 years do you particularly admire? The artist Pipilotti Rist. I’ve had one of her postcards—a really beautiful scenery picture—on my mirror for ages. But only when I recently went to an exhibition of her work did I see that her art was distinctly from a woman’s point of view. I spent hours looking at it—and found the show so incredibly inspiring I went back three times.
Photos: Time is on Their Side
Chanel braided tweed jacket. Fabergé 18k white gold, ruby, and diamond earrings; Chanel Fine Jewelry 18k white gold, pearl, and diamond ring.
Beauty note: Knightley’s enviably supple skin can be had with Chanel Hydra Beauty Sérum.
Dolce & Gabbana silk lace dress and silk and lace bodysuit. Repossi 18k black gold earring; International Silver nose clip; David Yurman sterling silver and diamond band rings, VBH 18k oxidized white gold and diamond ring, David Yurman sterling silver and diamond ring, Bottega Veneta 18k black gold and diamond ring, VBH 18k white gold and diamond ring, De Beers 18k black gold and diamond ring, VBH 18k oxidized white gold and diamond ring (on right hand, from top); De Beers 18k black gold and diamond rings, David Yurman sterling silver and diamond ring, VBH 18k oxidized white gold and diamond ring, David Yurman sterling silver, hematite, topaz, and pavé diamond ring, VBH 18k oxidized white gold and diamond ring, David Yurman sterling silver and diamond ring, David Yurman 18k white gold and pavé diamond ring (on left hand, from top).
Beauty note: Keep a hairstyle from falling flat with Tigi Hair Reborn Flexible Finishing Hairspray.
Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière wool jacquard bustier. Solange Azagury-Partridge 18k blackened white gold, sapphire, and diamond earrings.
Beauty note: An intense color process can leave hair begging for TLC. Wella Professional Brilliance Treatment delivers serious aid.
Prada silk and wool coat and dress, and embellished cotton poplin shirt. Albertus Swanepoel hat.
Beauty note: Chantecaille HD Perfecting Powder illuminates skin in a soft, natural way.
Hair by Luigi Murenu for Kérastase Paris; makeup by Val Garland at Streeters; manicures by Bernadette Thompson. Set design by Jack Flanagan. Production by North6. Photography assistants: Dominick Sheldon, Nico Kern, Jim Alexandrou, Ashley Renolds, Justin Farkas, Pavel Woznicki. Fashion assistants: Felicia Garcia-Rivera, Dena Giannini.
Hair by Luigi Murenu for Kérastase Paris; makeup by Val Garland at Streeters; manicures by Bernadette Thompson. Set design by Jack Flanagan. Production by North6. Photography assistants: Dominick Sheldon, Nico Kern, Jim Alexandrou, Ashley Renolds, Justin Farkas, Pavel Woznicki. Fashion assistants: Felicia Garcia-Rivera, Dena Giannini.
