While Penelope Featherington, Nicola Coughlan’s Bridgerton alter ego, is most often found trussed up in empire-waisted gowns in macaron shades of pistachio or lemon, the Irish actor’s look for a real-life red carpet on Tuesday, November 8 was rather more muted—and a fabulously understated take on party season chic.
The star selected a custom look from Emilia Wickstead’s autumn/winter 2022 collection, which was inspired by the designer’s time spent living in Milan as a teenager, and specifically the films of revered director Michelangelo Antonioni and his unforgettable leading lady, Monica Vitti. Coughlan was every inch the siren in her embroidered full skirt with matching cropped top, her newly strawberry blonde hair providing a splash of color that was perfectly offset by her all-black look.
The addition of Swarovski sparkle and a vampy dark mani (care of nail artist to the stars Michelle Class) offered a subtle nod to the impending festive season. While Nicola Coughlan’s look is custom-made, you can copy her style with your own stylish coordinates.
As the party whirl approaches, we could all do worse than to channel the mood of Wickstead’s homage to the “alluring and enigmatic” Vitti—and the designer’s assertion that “glamour can be a combination of dressing up and comfort.” Reassuring indeed.
This post was originally published in British Vogue.
