From ‘Emily’ to Elegance: Lily Collins Makes a Striking West End Debut in Versace
In a stunning metamorphosis that would make even Emily Cooper proud, Lily Collins has traded the cobblestone streets of Paris for the theatrical grandeur of London’s West End. The actress, who has captivated audiences worldwide as the effervescent Emily in Netflix’s hit series, unveiled her latest role as Irene in the highly anticipated production “Barcelona” with characteristic sartorial splendor.
For the press preview’s after-party, Collins orchestrated a fashion moment that perfectly balanced theatrical drama with sophisticated restraint. The centerpiece of her ensemble was an exquisite Fall 2024 Versace creation – a viscose cady draped gown that exemplified the house’s mastery of architectural elegance. The gown’s most compelling feature, a daringly positioned thigh-high slit, created an artful interplay between revelation and concealment, enhanced by the addition of sheer noir hosiery.
The actress’s footwear choice demonstrated her understanding of timeless glamour: classic black pumps crafted from sumptuous kid leather. These weren’t merely shoes; they were a statement of refined taste, featuring a razor-sharp pointed toe that elongated Collins’s silhouette. The approximately four-inch stiletto heel provided the perfect elevation for her red-carpet stance, while the low-cut vamp and high back counter offered a study in sophisticated shoe architecture.
What truly elevated this ensemble was Collins’s masterful grasp of proportions. The dress’s conservative elements – long sleeves and a near-floor-length hem – created an intriguing contrast with its more audacious aspects. This juxtaposition speaks to the modern woman’s ability to navigate multiple facets of her identity through fashion.
The styling, expertly executed by industry virtuoso Andrew Mukamal (whose client roster includes luminaries like Margot Robbie and Zoë Kravitz), demonstrated remarkable restraint in accessorizing. Delicate rings and understated stud earrings allowed the architectural elements of the dress to command attention. Collins’s beauty look featured a fresh complexion punctuated by bold eyes and softly tinted lips, while her signature bob was transformed with a contemporary wet-look finish, styled asymmetrically to frame her features.
This latest appearance follows Collins’s pattern of reimagining the little black dress throughout her “Emily in Paris” Season 4 promotional circuit. Notable among these was her appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” where she donned another Versace masterpiece – a fitted midi dress from the Resort 2025 collection that played with asymmetry through a single sleeve and artfully placed cutouts.
As Collins steps into her new role, she proves once again that her fashion narrative extends far beyond her character’s playful Parisian wardrobe, establishing herself as a sophisticated arbiter of modern glamour.
