Keira Knightley’s Style Evolution As the Ultimate It-Brit
Almost two decades ago, Keira Knightley became London’s newest It Girl after her first big role as Jules Paxton in Bend it Like Beckham. Since then, Knightley has played more complicated, diverse characters that have stayed in our hearts—from Elizabeth Swann in The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise to her heartbreaking portrayal in Atonement and The Imitation Game. Throughout her time on the big screen, Knightley has seen her fair share of red carpets (some of which she shared with ex-boyfriend and Fifty Shades of Grey star Jamie Dornan). Now, Knightley is married to James Righton, from the London rave band Klaxons, and the couple welcomed a daughter together in 2015. In celebration of Knightley turning 32 today, we are taking a look back at how her red carpet style has evolved just as much as her real-life and on-screen roles.
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Young Keira Knightley stuns at the Bend It Like Beckham movie premiere in patterned trousers and a plunging neckline. 2002.
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Wearing a gold dress and shawl that matches her golden tan, Knightley attends the 11th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar party. 2003.
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Never afraid to show some skin, Knightley strikes a pose in a white crop top and jeans at the premiere of Pirates of The Caribbean. 2003.
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Knightley keeps it classic in this embellished little black dress and peep-toed shoes at a movie premiere in New York. 2004.
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In a sparkling dress with a handkerchief hemline, Knightley shows off her Hollywood Film Festival award at the Beverly Hills Hotel. 2004.
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In one of Knightley’s most iconic looks, she wears a beautiful white dress on the 63rd Golden Globes red carpet. 2006.
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Oscar-nominated Knightley glows in a one-shoulder mermaid Vera Wang dress at the Academy Awards. She accents the look with a bold necklace and gold clutch. 2006.
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Knightley showed up for the London Premiere of Atonement looking like a Greek goddess in a silver cut-out gown. 2007.
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Knightley changes it up with a pink deconstructed dress and funku black and silver shoes at her Atonement premiere in LA. 2007.
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Knightley attends a Chanel Beaute x Vogue event wearing a beautiful black dress with gold embellished details at the waist and shoulders. 2008.
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For the film’s press conference the next day during the Toronto Film Festival, Knightley looked pretty in polka dots in a long-sleeved lace Dolce & Gabbana dress and simple black pumps.
Photo by Getty Images
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For the TIFF premiere of “The Imitation Game,” the actress turned to her go-to designer (Chanel, bien sur) for an off-white neoprene and tulle frock from Fall 2014. Dainty blush-hued heels and Knightley’s signature waves were the only accessories needed.
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An eccentric midnight blue gown by Michael Van Der Ham was just the ticket for the premiere of Knightley’s other new film, Laggies. A red lip, a simple diamond bracelet, and black pointy pumps pulled everything together.
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Knightley looked radiant in red at the London Film Festival in a scarf-print pleated dress from the Valentino Spring 2015 collection. Charlotte Olympia gold and black pumps added a regal accent to the crimson look.
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Later that evening, the star changed into a sheer gold Valentino Couture dress from the Fall 2014 collection. Though David Morris diamond earrings and red suede Charlotte Olympia pumps added sparkle, they weren’t quite enough to amp up the dress’s ill fit and muted hue.
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At the Governor’s Awards, Knightley redeemed herself in a black Nina Ricci Spring 2015 dress with striking emerald earrings and coordinating Jimmy Choo pumps. Her silky, pin-straight hair—normally styled in tousled waves—added an element of surprise and added a sleek touch to the textured look.
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In yet another neoprene dress from the Chanel Fall 2014 Haute Couture collection, Knightley stole the show at an L.A. screening of “The Imitation Game”—and became our Best Dressed star of the day.
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Knightley made the case for angelic-chic in an ankle-length dress by Giambattista Valli at the 2014 Hollywood Film Awards, where she took home the award for Best Supporting Actress for “The Imitation Game.” Silver sandals added shine while Harry Winston pearl earrings took the place of a halo.
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Continuing her covered-up run, the actress sported a long-sleeved, ankle-length dress from Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2015 to New York premiere of “The Imitation Game.”
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Knightley chose a dress by the British designer Holly Fulton for a BAFTA event in New York. A smoky eye and her signature waves added polish to the roomy shift.
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Knightley’s love of Chanel, the shift dress, and the black Mary Jane came together at a Chanel-hosted luncheon for “The Imitation Game.” If it works, it works.
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There’s no better way to follow up a classic Chanel look than with a metallic, maribou-trimmed Simone Rocha dress. If you’re Keira Knightley, that is.
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Pregnant Knightley looks elegant in a blue, empire waist gown and soft make-up at the 20th Annual Critic’s Choice Movie Awards. 2015.
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Just weeks away from giving birth, Knightley attends the Chanel and Charles Finch Pre- Oscar Dinner in LA on a beautiful Chanel black and white, tiered dress. 2015.
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Proving that she is one of the best dressed women in Hollywood, Knightley walks the red carpet at the SAG Awards in this purple number. 2015.
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Knightley absolutely glows in this floral, tulle Valentino gown that elegantly shows off her baby bump at the 2015 Oscars. 2015.
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Stealing the spotlight in this stunning red, Grecian-inspired dress, Knightley attends the La Traviata premiere in Rome, Italy. 2016.
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Knightley wears a crisp white Chanel dress with tulle sleeves and collar at the Culture Chanel exhibition in Venice. 2016.
