Though Keira Knightley’s beauty is unmistakable as always, we had to wonder about her decision to cover her Valentino gown in a rather drab black suede cape coat during “An Evening Honoring Valentino” in December 2015.
Keira Knightley demonstrates her medieval fashion sense at New York’s Lincoln Center during An Evening Honoring Valentino
Though Valentino designed the cloak Keira chose, the combination made the then-30-year-old English actress look more like she was arriving at the set of a new medieval film than at an event honoring the European fashion design house.
Keira Knightley cloaked her frame in a flowing one-shoulder Valentino gown layered under a loose black suede cape, leaving her shoes hidden beneath the voluminous hem
A Risky Fashion Move: Cloaked Couture or Red Carpet Misstep?
Knightley’s suede overcoat resembled a poncho, draping formlessly over her shoulders and spilling over her arms and the entire front of the gown.
We couldn’t even award her extra points for trying something rarely seen on the red carpet since the cover-up offered little style to the ensemble.
The one-shouldered Valentino gown she chose for the event would have been plain enough on its own, and cloaking it in a shapeless layer of black seemed to further dull the look.
Flawlessly applied tones of muted makeup accentuated Keira Knightley’s striking facial features, while her brunette locks were swept up into an elegant bun
Muted Glamour: A Gown With Potential Lost in Monochrome Styling
The Valentino gown and cape coat are from the Fall 2015 Collection. On their own, the pieces have some potential.
Her black tulle gown features an empire waist with a full pleated skirt of black fabric ruffling to the floor. The top is one-shouldered and gathers across the chest before flaring out in a fan of tulle at the sides.
We appreciate Knightley’s natural beauty, and we usually support her decision to keep her makeup understated, but this outfit could have benefited from an extra touch of color.
The young actress looked washed out as she drowned in black fabric before the fashion gala in New York. Knightley twisted her hair back in a low, middle-parted bun to complete her medieval costume and add to the ordinariness.
Delicate silver-encrusted earrings complemented Keira Knightley’s medieval ensemble at the Lincoln Center in New York for the third annual fashion gala honoring the fashion house Valentino on December 7, 2015 (Credit: WENN)
What do you think of Knightley’s cloak? Was it a great addition to her ensemble, or should it have stayed in the dress-up box until Halloween?
If you want to explore more of Keira Knightley’s fashion choices, her appearance in a red velvet Valentino gown at the “La Traviata” premiere in Rome is a must-see. Her ethereal style was also on full display at the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards. For a broader look at her style evolution, our compilation of her most whimsical dresses and ethereal gowns offers a delightful journey through her fashion highlights.
Keira Knightley wasn’t the only one turning heads at the Valentino event. In an unexpected twist, two other celebrities had a fashion faceoff in the same Valentino dress…
Fashion Faceoff: Nicky Hilton and Dee Ocleppo Wear the Same Valentino Dress at Valentino Tribute Event
Have you ever gone to a fancy event, all dressed up in your designer wear, looking fabulous and feeling great, only to discover that someone else is wearing the same thing? This sartorial nightmare happened to Nicky Hilton.
The 32-year-old socialite wore the same dress as Tommy Hilfiger’s wife, Dee Ocleppo.
Nicky Hilton paired her stunning maxi dress with a gold leaf headpiece, statement earrings, and a pink and gold clutch at the “An Evening Honoring Valentino” at Lincoln Center in New York on December 8, 2015 (Credit: WENN)
Both ladies wore a Valentino dress from the brand’s Resort 2016 collection. It’s a couture mishap that was easy to make, considering the event was a tribute to Valentino.
Also, the dress itself is a gorgeous piece that anyone can gravitate toward. The garment featured a sheer overlay, eye-catching graphic patterns, and a fringed hem.
Fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger and Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger attend “An Evening Honoring Valentino” Lincoln Center Corporate Fund Gala – Inside Arrivals at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center on December 7, 2015, in New York City (Credit: WENN)
Nicky chose a Victorian-esque look. She accessorized with a gold headpiece, see-through peep-toe Christian Louboutin Maralena pumps, and a red Ylania Yepez Gaia clutch. In November 2010, Miley Cyrus wore the same red soled heels with a Marchesa wrapped chiffon dress at the 2010 American Music Awards.
On the other hand, Dee opted for a simpler hairstyle but did the dress justice by accessorizing with statement earrings, a silver clutch, and silver sandals.
We think Dee won by a narrow margin because she nailed the accessorizing department of the look. Nicky’s accessory choices were a bit all over the place. With a dress as busy as this one, she should have followed Dee’s example and opted for a single color palette.