Nicola Coughlan's Best Red Carpet Looks: From Bridgerton Corsets to Barbie Gowns
Nicola Coughlan made a name for herself playing Clare Devlin in Derry Girls and, shortly after, Hannah Dalton in Harlots. But it was her role as the unassuming Penelope Featherington (later revealed to be the gossipy Lady Whistledown) in Netflix’s Bridgerton that cemented the actress as a worldwide star. She’s also made her foray into the Mattel universe as Diplomat Barbie in Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster flick.
In the time since her breakout role, Coughlan has proven that her style is just as noteworthy as her acting skills. The Irish actress has formed relationships with brands both established and rising—Valentino, Richard Quinn, Shushu/tong, among others. Her red carpet wears occasionally point to her Regency-era characters—think pouf gowns, corsets—but she also loves a pop of color here or latex detail there. Below, we look back at Nicola Coughlan’s red carpet style, from Derry Girls to Bridgerton.
Here comes the Bridgerton bride. Coughlan continued her theme dressing streak during the series’s season three premiere in a bridal look from Danielle Frankel.
For the Bridgerton season three launch in Australia, Coughlan looked regal in a plunging look from Richard Quinn that featured glitzy fabric and a off-the-shoulder neckline.
In a custom number from the jewelry brand Misho, Coughlan dazzled during a Bridgerton press event. The gilded portion of her corset dress featured the outline of a human heart which referenced her Bridgerton character Penelope Featherington’s love life.
Coughlan looked sleek and chic in a tailored black dress, that she accented with a high-gloss corset, during the New York premiere of Big Mood.
Coughlan graced the Barbie pink carpet in this dreamy custom look from New York brand Wiederhoeft.
For the BAFTA Film Awards, Coughlan made a statement in a floral Valentino couture gown.
The actress mixed latex and tulle in this custom curve-hugging Christopher Kane gown.
This sculptural Mara Hoffman dress was the outfit of choice for Coughlan at a 2023 Netflix event. She paired it with blue Paula Rowan gloves and black Louboutin heels.
Coughlan kept things simple in all black, wearing a loose cardigan and column dress to the A Streetcar Named Desire premiere.
The Irish actress went with a black pouf mini dress by Shushu/tong for Annabel’s 60th Anniversary celebration.
Coughlan was pretty in Valentino pink for the 2022 BAFTA Awards.
The actress wore a black Emilia Wickstead two piece with a textured a-line skirt and a long sleeved crop top to the Glamour Women of the Year Awards.
Coughlan’s debut Met Gala looked straight from the Bridgerton set—a dramatic pink and black Richard Quinn gown, Jimmy Choo heels, and Swarovski jewels.
Coughlan traded her usual princess styles for a more business-ready look. She wore pieces from Roksanda, Skims underpinnings, and Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
For a Bridgerton event in 2022, Coughlan attended in a green Emilia Wickstead collared dress and bubblegum pink Valentino heels.
The actress looked straight out of a fairytale in this sheer mint green gown and shell bag from Simone Rocha.
Here, Coughlan went with a custom black and white Shushu/tong gown and Bulgari jewels for the BAFTA Awards dinner in 2022.
Coughlan went all in on pattern for the Richard Quinn show in this billowing floral dress from the British brand.
Coughlan turned heads in this voluminous orange Valentino gown that she paired with fuchsia heels also from the Italian brand.
Coughlan looked ethereal at the British Vogue and Tiffany & Co. dinner wearing a pink Simone Rocha gown with dreamy puff sleeves.
Attending the premiere of Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK, Coughlan went with a plunging hot pink mini dress, gold statement earrings, and a nude clutch.
The British actress must have known Barbie would soon be in the cards for her acting career when she wore a pink fitted dress and gold platform heels for the 2019 BAFTAs.
The actress chose a pastel pink suit, graphic t-shirt, and printed boots for a Derry Girls photo call in 2019.
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