With froths of lace, an arsenal of corsets, chokers, bows, stockings and skyscraper heels, Margot Robbie is once again making it clear that clothes maketh the movie.
Having reinvented the red carpet with the $US1.4 billion ($1.98 billion) box office hit Barbie in 2023, Robbie and her stylist Andrew Mukamal have returned to the method-dressing formula for the Wuthering Heights travelling roadshow, which arrives at Sydney’s State Theatre with co-star Jacob Elordi in tow on Thursday.
Candy pink and playful nostalgia have been replaced by gothic looks that communicate the dark desires found in Emily Brontë’s novel. If English literature wasn’t your favourite topic at school, we make sure that nothing is lost in translation with the romantic references in Robbie’s standout looks.
Fifty Shades of Grey
For vintage Vivienne Westwood, the puffy mini-leather corset and mini crini skirt from the provocative designer’s autumn 1988 collection, worn by Robbie for a London press conference at Claridge’s, is borderline prim. It’s the shoes that hint at the darker pleasures found in EL James Fifty Shades of Grey and Anne Desclos’ The Story of O (written under the pen name Pauline Reage).
Restrictive custom Conquilla heels from Christian Louboutin, with black stitching at the heel, are perilously high, forcing feet to submit to the Barbie Foot challenge that went viral in 2023, with participants emulating Barbie’s dramatic arch. The safe words are “blister” and “Band-Aids”.
Gone With The Wind
Vivien Leigh lost the role of Catherine Earnshaw to Merle Oberon in the 1939 movie adaptation of Wuthering Heights, but Robbie paid tribute to the actor’s most famous role of Scarlett O’Hara in the 1939 adaptation of Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With The Wind at the production’s Paris premiere.
The burgundy silk, velvet and faille gown from Chanel was more southern belle than Yorkshire moors and was designed by Matthieu Blazy to match the Paris red carpet.
The Lady of Camellias
If you haven’t read Alexander Dumas’ The Lady of Camellias, a rewatch of Moulin Rouge – partly inspired by the 1848 novel – will help you understand Robbie’s boudoir Barbie look, worn at the Wuthering Heights launch in London.
The red stockings, black garters, pink ribbons and brocade frock coat were originally worn by supermodel Helena Christensen in John Galliano’s spring 1992 collection. A braless Christensen braved the runway with the coat unbuttoned, but Robbie covered up to stop the boudoir look from entering the bordello.
The Mists of Avalon
Robbie understands the impact of a sheer gown, following her appearance in a barely there Giorgio Armani gown to promote A Big Bold Beautiful Journey in September. That dress featured jewels, but for the London premiere Robbie covered up with braids.
The Dilara Findikoglu design, evoking the Victorian fascination with Arthurian legends revived in Marion Zimmer Bradley’s 1983 novel, Mists of Avalon, was trimmed with hair dyed to match a replica of a mourning bracelet worn by Charlotte Brontë. (No one was looking at the bracelet.)
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