Joey King Is Max Mara’s Face of the Future in a Gray Ruched Dress and T-Strap Pumps During Milan Fashion Week

Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates from Your Next Shoes. This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more details.

Joey King has just been named the 19th recipient of the Women in Film Max Mara Face of the Future Award in honor of her exceptional acting career and unique personification of timeless style and grace.

Joey King has had a busy 2024 so far, having starred in the popular animated film Despicable Me 4, the historical drama miniseries We Were the Lucky Ones, the Netflix film A Family Affair, and the sci-fi thriller Uglies, which she also executive produced.

“Being the @maxmara + @womeninfilmla Face of the Future recipient has been really fun so far….I may never shut up about it!!!” Joey shared with her Instagram followers.

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Joey King (@joeyking)

Joey King’s Sultry Take on Corpcore

I have to say, she truly deserves the recognition! Aside from her acting, I adore her effortlessly elegant style, which she often infuses with a rebellious touch. She never fails to wow me!

While her choice of clothing for the Max Mara fashion show during Milan Fashion Week may not have thrilled everyone, I like how it stayed true to her style—refined but edgy.

She donned a gray maxi dress with ruching throughout. If you’ve been following us, you know I’m not a huge fan of creases in clothes, but in this case, the wrinkles provide some stylish texture to the otherwise plain-colored dress.

The tiny details, such as the wide cuffs and the off-center collar, give the ensemble a contemporary edge. It also has an elasticated cutout on one side of the waist and a thigh-high slit that gives the otherwise corporate-like dress a hint of seductive flair.

Joey King receives the Women in Film Max Mara Face of the Future Award in a gray Max Mara collared, long-sleeved ruched dress, embracing corpcore aestheticJoey King receives the Women in Film Max Mara Face of the Future Award in a gray Max Mara collared, long-sleeved ruched dress, embracing corpcore aesthetic (Credit: Marco Piovanotto / Abaca Press / INSTARimages)

Honestly, I thought Joey looked a little mature in this outfit, but I must constantly remind myself that she’s already 25 years old! Nonetheless, it fits the occasion and she looks amazing in it. Thanks to the tiny details, it looks sophisticated yet quite seductive.

In an interview with Vanity Fair about her ensemble, King revealed she went for “a bit of a stormy vibe.” She loves the “subtle sexiness” and how, with its floor-length hem, she can still comfortably cross her legs.

“I love to be fashionable and comfortable at the same time,” she added. “It doesn’t take itself too seriously, but yet it’s so elevated and stunning.”

Joey King's corporate-style maxi dress features a midriff cutout and a thigh-high slit, infusing sultry air to business dressingJoey King’s corporate-style maxi dress features a midriff cutout and a thigh-high slit, infusing sultry air to business dressing (Credit: Marco Piovanotto / Abaca Press / INSTARimages)

Minimal Accessories and Glam for an Elegant Finish

I commend her stylist, Jared Eng, for assembling her ensemble for the occasion.

Joey carried an extra-small, $1,890 black leather clutch bag from Max Mara. It’s made of soft, natural calfskin leather and features a retro-inspired design characterized by its rigid zip closure and Max Mara logo on the front.

She then slipped her feet into glossy black patent leather pumps with slim T-straps and rectangular silver-tone buckles. They also have sharp pointed toes and around 3-inch pin heels, adding to Joey’s 5’1” height.

I’m not exactly sure where she got them, but considering it’s a Max Mara event, I think they’re also from the Italian fashion brand. The rest of her ensemble is also from the Italian fashion brand.

Joey King teams her gray collared ruched maxi dress with pointy black pumps featuring slim T-straps and pin heelsJoey King teams her gray collared ruched maxi dress with pointy black pumps featuring slim T-straps and pin heels (Credit: Marco Piovanotto / Abaca Press / INSTARimages)

Joey King owes her gorgeous glam to makeup artist Polly Osmond and hairdresser Owen Gould. They did a fantastic job bringing out her stunning features!

Her brunette tresses were styled with a center parting, ironed pin straight, and tucked behind her ears to showcase her statement Max Mara gunmetal hoop earrings. They accentuated the edginess of the ensemble and perfectly matched her gunmetal ring.

As for her makeup, she wore subtle smokey eyeshadow and nude-pink lipstick!

Joey King styles her brunette hair straight and tucked behind her ears, showcasing her Max Mara gunmetal earringsJoey King styles her brunette hair straight and tucked behind her ears, showcasing her Max Mara gunmetal earrings (Credit: Marco Piovanotto / Abaca Press / INSTARimages)