In 2001, Liv Tyler debuted as Elf maiden Arwen Undómie in the feature film The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, directed by Peter Jackson.
Co-starring with Cate Blanchett, she reprised her role in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, the second installment of the series, and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, the last installment.
Liv Rundgren Tyler brought timeless elegance to her role as the Elf maiden Arwen Undómie in the Lord of the Rings trilogy (Credit: New Line Cinema)
Ngila Dickson, the film’s costume designer, designed Arwen’s outfits. Dickson and her team crafted the iconic Elvish wardrobe, including Arwen’s ethereal dresses, which were heavily influenced by J.R.R. Tolkien’s descriptions and Peter Jackson’s vision for Middle-earth.
Arwen’s dreamy lavender gown, designed by Ngila Dickson, flows ethereally over bare feet—capturing the timeless, grounded elegance of Elven royalty (Credit: New Line Cinema)
The designs often featured flowing fabrics, intricate detailing, and a palette that reflected the grace and timelessness of the Elves.
From Historical Comedy to Epic Fantasy
The filmmakers reportedly approached Tyler after seeing her performance as Lady Rebecca Gibson in the 1999 British historical action comedy film Plunkett & Macleane.
Liv Tyler was 24 years old when attending the premiere of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Credit: WENN)
Learning Elvish, a language invented by JRR Tolkien, for her role as the Elf maiden who rescues the Hobbit Frodo from the Black Riders at the Fords of Bruinen, she was 24 years old when the first Lord of the Rings film premiered on December 10, 2001, at the Odeon Leicester Square in London.
She was born on July 1, 1977, at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and celebrated her 24th birthday on July 1, 2001.
A youthful Liv Tyler, 24, exudes edgy elegance in sheer-paneled trousers and pointed black heels at the 2001 Los Angeles premiere of The Fellowship of the Ring (Credit: WENN)
Filming for The Lord of the Rings trilogy began in October 1999, so she was 22 years old when it started. Filming wrapped at the end of 2000, and she was 23 by the time it was completed.
Liv Tyler, age 22 at the start of filming, brings the timeless grace of Arwen to life in the ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy (Credit: New Line Cinema)
Mastering Elvish and Embracing Arwen’s Essence
Liv Tyler discussed adjusting her voice to a lower register for her role as Arwen, aiming to emulate the commanding and powerful tone naturally possessed by Kate.
“I had definitely tried to speak in a low voice throughout the whole thing, just because Kate’s voice is naturally quite like that; it’s really commanding, and powerful. And I think we realized when we were doing all of the ADR and stuff because, I am a lot younger than she is – or, I’m not a lot younger than she is – that suddenly when I brought my voice down to that register, it gave Arwen a kind of timelessness,” Tyler told IGN about bringing down her voice to a lower register for her role as Arwen.
“She could be of any age. In a way, it kind of just adds some depth to Arwen. It was like the icing on the cake. When I read a line kind of with that voice, it was like, wow! That really made a big difference,” she added.
At the New York premiere of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers on December 5, 2002, Liv Tyler turned heads in a bold black-and-white polka dot gown paired with unexpected red peep-toe heels for a playful pop of color (Credit: Roger Wong / INFGoff)
Beyond her ethereal on-screen presence as Arwen, Liv Tyler has long captivated fans with her effortlessly cool, off-duty style. From red carpet glamour to edgy streetwear, her fashion choices often reflect the same grounded elegance she brought to Middle-earth.
Fashion Forward: Liv Tyler’s Style Off-Screen
Liv Tyler wears her hair down at the GO International Designer Collective Launch held on March 10, 2011, at the Ace Hotel in New York City (Credit: Andres Otero / WENN)
Lord of the Rings actress Liv Tyler likes her platform boots. In March 2011, the daughter of Steven Tyler and Bebe Buell wore the “Mary Ann” clog boots from Chloë Sevigny for Opening Ceremony while posing for photos with the designer herself, Chloë Sevigny.
Liv Tyler and Chloë Sevigny pose for photos together on the red carpet (Credit: Andres Otero / WENN)
Live Tyler wore the “Mary Ann” clog boots while attending Target’s GO International Designer Collective Launch. She paired them with a pleated dress by Opening Ceremony and a leather jacket.
The popular Dr. T & the Women actress braided her hair down one side of her head and kept her makeup light.
Liv Tyler shows off her side-braided hairstyle (Credit: Flashpoint / WENN)
What do you think of Liv’s quirky biker chick style? Love it or hate it? Do you think it’s cool? Do you think the shoes go with the whole outfit?
Liv Tyler wears a pair of Chloë Sevigny for Opening Ceremony heels with black tights and a pleated skirt (Credit: Andres Otero / WENN)
Regardless of your feelings as to how Liv styled these boots, they’re now sold out. They feature seam detailing and an asymmetrical topline.
Chloë Sevigny for Opening Ceremony ‘Mary Anne’ Clog Boots, $495
Comparing Platform Boot Styles: Liv vs. Chloe
Let’s take a quick second to compare and contrast. Here’s Chloe’s take on platform boots. Chloe paired the Christian Louboutin “Madame Butterfly” booties with a Lanvin leopard print dress one year earlier.
Chloë Sevigny wears her hair back at HBO’s 62nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards afterparty held on August 29, 2010, at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)
Who do you think looked best in platform heels?
Chloë Sevigny’s feet in black leather Christian Louboutin booties (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)
From her ethereal elegance in The Lord of the Rings to her fearless red carpet fashion and standout shoe choices, Liv Tyler continues to inspire with timeless grace and modern edge—both on and off screen.
Stepping Out in Style: Liv Tyler’s Memorable Footwear Moments
Liv Tyler has consistently showcased her impeccable fashion sense, often accentuated by stunning footwear choices. Here are some of her most memorable shoe moments:
Gentlewoman of the Year: Liv Tyler in Jimmy Choo ‘Anouk’ Pumps
- Event: GQ’s ‘Men of the Year’ Awards in Berlin
- Outfit: Liv Tyler radiated elegance in a floral Belstaff dress.
- Footwear: She completed her look with sleek black Jimmy Choo ‘Anouk’ pumps, adding a touch of sophistication to her ensemble.
- More Details: Liv Tyler Shines as Gentlewoman of the Year at GQ Awards in Berlin
Lost in Space: Liv Tyler’s Vibrant Look with Jimmy Choo ‘Romy’ Pumps
- Event: Omega’s “Lost in Space” Anniversary Party
- Outfit: Liv Tyler surprised attendees in an orange pleated Valentino dress with a tropical print.
- Footwear: She echoed her vibrant dress with red suede Jimmy Choo ‘Romy’ pumps, adding a bold pop of color.
- More Details: Liv Tyler Gets ‘Lost in Space’ in Valentino and Jimmy Choo ‘Romy’ Pumps
British Fashion Awards: Liv Tyler in Christian Louboutin ‘J String’ Heels
- Event: 2015 British Fashion Awards
- Outfit: Liv Tyler donned a chic Stella McCartney suit.
- Footwear: She paired her ensemble with Christian Louboutin ‘J String’ heels, showcasing her sophisticated style.
- More Details: Why Liv Tyler And Dave Gardner Aren’t Getting Married Anytime Soon
Cannes Film Festival: Liv Tyler’s Floral Elegance
- Event: Cannes Film Festival
- Outfit: Liv Tyler looked stunning in a fitted floral Tanya Taylor dress.
- Footwear: She complemented her spring ensemble with ankle-strap wooden sandals, embodying seasonal elegance.
- More Details: Liv Tyler Stuns in Floral Tanya Taylor Dress at Cannes Film Festival
GO International Designer Collective Launch: Liv Tyler’s Edgy Look
- Event: GO International Designer Collective Launch
- Outfit: Liv Tyler embraced a quirky biker chick style with a pleated dress and leather jacket.
- Footwear: She wore the ‘Mary Ann’ clog boots from Chloë Sevigny for Opening Ceremony, adding an edgy flair to her ensemble.
- More Details: Liv Tyler as Arwen: Elven Beauty and Strength in Lord of the Rings