STYLE EVOLUTION

Vanessa Kirby’s Best Red Carpet Moments Have Always Been Effortless

by Maxine Wally
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Vanessa Kirby attends the "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" UK Premiere.
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Vanessa Kirby’s career has been the ultimate sleeper hit. Without too much media hype or fanfare, the English actress has won over audiences with her magnetic screen presence, surprising some as an under-the-radar talent. Playing Princess Margaret in season one of The Crown won her award after award in 2017, and her heartbreaking role in Pieces of a Woman cemented her as a force to be reckoned with. Kirby isn’t a one-note actress, either. Since her breakout Netflix role, she’s appeared in thrillers like Mission: Impossible - Fallout, Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw, and most recently, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.

Kirby’s style evolution is no different from her acting trajectory; she’s a quiet stunner in more ways than one. The London native opts for sleek styles that still make an enormous impact on the red carpet—think: column dresses from Dolce & Gabbana, vintage Chloé looks, and dreamy Dior dresses. Here, take a look back at Kirby’s greatest style hits, from ivory gowns galore to a knockout Miu Miu number.

2023: Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One London Premiere

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Kirby wore a sultry black dress from Dolce & Gabbana to the Mission:Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One premiere in London.

2023: Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One Rome Premiere

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Kirby went with a dazzling semi-sheer dress from Miu Miu, Aquazzura shoes, and Cartier jewelry to attend the Rome premiere of Mission:Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One.

2023: Met Gala

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Kirby tapped into the Chloé archives to honor the late Karl Lagerfeld for the 2023 Met Gala. The actress wore the brand’s iconic “shower dress” from their 1983 fall/winter collection, a version of which was displayed in the exhibit.

2022: Venice Film Festival

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At the 2022 Venice Film Festival, Kirby showed up in a feathered and embellished Valentino couture dress.

2021: SAG Awards

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At the 2021 SAG Awards, the actress chose a style that strayed from her usual looks—a Givenchy harness-like overlay and Cartier jewelry.

2021: Academy Awards

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Kirby leaned into cut-outs for the 2021 Golden Globes when she wore a dramatic Gucci piece.

2020: Venice Film Festival

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The actress went for a rare red moment at the Pieces of a Woman premiere during the 77th Venice Film Festival. She wore a crimson Valentino dress that had a completely cut-out back.

2019: Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw Premiere

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The actress knows the power of a crimson lip. Kirby is pictured here at a screening of Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw wearing a one-shoulder Ralph & Russo number.

2018: Emmy Awards

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Kirby wore Tom Ford at the 2018 Emmy Awards—where she took home another statuette for Best Supporting Actress in The Crown.

2018: Mission: Impossible - Fallout Premiere

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The actress kept things simple in a black and white strapless gown for the premiere of Mission: Impossible - Fallout.

2018: BAFTA Awards

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Kirby dazzled in a sparkling Christian Dior gown from the brand’s 2018 pre-fall collection to that year’s BAFTAs, where she won the award for Best Supporting Actress in The Crown.

2018: SAG Awards

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Kirby wore floral Valentino to the 2018 Screen Actors Guild Awards.

2017: Emmy Awards

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At the 2017 Emmy Awards, Kirby wore a strapless Marchesa gown and a bold, dark lip.

2017: SAG Awards

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The actress chose a pleated Luisa Beccaria gown for the 2017 Screen Actors Guild Awards.

2016: Met Gala

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For her debut Met Gala, Kirby pulled out all the stops in an embroidered Temperley London dress.

2016: The Crown Premiere

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Kirby was regal in powder blue Emilia Wickstead gown for the world premiere of The Crown.

2015: The Oliver Awards

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The British actress chose a sleeveless white gown complete with an all-over floral motif to wear to The Oliver Awards.

2013: About Time Premiere

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Kirby opted for another lace moment—this one, with a bit of sequins from Matthew Williamson—to attend the About Time premiere in 2013.

2012: Royal Academy of Art Summer Exhibition

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The actress wore mixed materials (and more lace) at a private viewing of the Royal Academy of Art’s Summer Exhibition.

2012: British Academy Film Awards

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Kirby opted for ivory and lace at the British Academy Film Awards in 2012.

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