Florence Pugh Crashed the Klara and the Sun Premiere in a Sheer Rodarte Gown — and Reclaimed the Naked Dress

Florence Pugh wasn't in the cast, but she still stole the red carpet. The actor made a surprise appearance at the world premiere of Taika Waititi's Klara and the Sun at the BFI London Film Festival on Thursday, October 15, wearing a sheer, embroidered Rodarte gown that put her firmly back at the head of the "naked dress" movement.

Here's what she wore, the beauty look, who styled it, and how it fits the run of looks she has been serving all autumn.

The dress: Rodarte, sheer and floral

Just Jared confirmed the gown is by Rodarte, the American label known for darkly romantic, often gothic designs. Nine.com.au described it as a gossamer gown with floral embroidery, the kind of piece that looks delicate up close and dramatic from a distance.

Nine credits the look to her longtime stylist, Rebecca Corbin-Murray, and notes that the contrast between hand-embroidered texture and a bold silhouette has become a signature of their partnership. The dress was sheer enough to read as a naked dress on camera, but the embroidery placement kept the focus on the flowers rather than on skin.

A soft beauty look to balance the drama

For hair and make-up, Florence went soft. Nine reports that she paired the gown with a soft glam look so the dramatic silhouette could have its moment, skipping a heavy smoky eye or a bold lip that would have competed with the embroidery.

It's a smart rule for anyone wearing an embellished or sheer dress: when the outfit is busy, let the face be quiet.

Why she was there

Klara and the Sun, adapted from Kazuo Ishiguro's novel, stars Jenna Ortega as Klara, an Artificial Friend, alongside Amy Adams, Natasha Lyonne, Aran Murphy and Steve Buscemi. Florence isn't in the film. She came to support it and posed on the carpet with Adams, Ortega and Rachel Forman, a co-producer who has worked with Waititi for years, Just Jared reported.

The premiere was held at the Royal Festival Hall. Amy Adams wore custom Georges Chakra, and Rita Ora, who arrived with her husband Taika Waititi, wore ArdAzAei Couture, according to Just Jared. The film opens in cinemas on October 23.

Jenna Ortega has been on a beauty roll during this press tour. We covered her new colour in "Jenna Ortega's New 'Maple Cinnamon' Auburn Hair Is the Easiest Fall Colour Change for Brunettes."

Florence Pugh and the naked dress

Florence has never been shy about sheer fashion. Her hot pink Valentino gown at the brand's Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2022 show drew backlash online, and she responded in an interview with Elle UK: "Unfortunately, we've become so terrified of the human body that we can't even look at my two little cute nipples behind fabric in a way that isn't sexual."

Since then, the sheer gown has become one of her red carpet trademarks. The Rodarte look shows how the trend has matured: less shock, more craft.

The Rodarte moment caps a busy few weeks. According to Nine, Florence wore a chartreuse corseted Vivienne Westwood bodice with a gunmetal silk skirt to the East of Eden premiere, fitted silver to the In the Shadows screening at the BFI London Film Festival on October 9, and a slinky black look for an evening with Jaguar on October 6.

That Jaguar night also gave us one of the season's biggest hair stories, which we covered in "Florence Pugh's Micro Bangs Are Fall's Boldest Hair Moment: Inside Her Spiky Updo at Jaguar's New York Launch."

How to try the trend without going fully sheer

Choose embroidery or lace over plain mesh. Dense floral work, as on Florence's Rodarte gown, gives coverage where you want it.

Layer smartly. A nude slip or bodysuit under a sheer dress gives the same effect with more comfort.

Keep accessories minimal. Florence let the dress do the talking, with no statement necklace competing for attention.

Go soft with make-up. A glowing base, soft cheeks and a natural lip balance a dramatic dress.

FAQ

What did Florence Pugh wear to the Klara and the Sun premiere?

A sheer, floral-embroidered gown by Rodarte, styled by her longtime stylist Rebecca Corbin-Murray.

Is Florence Pugh in Klara and the Sun?

No. She made a surprise appearance to support the film, which stars Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams.

Where was the Klara and the Sun premiere?

At the Royal Festival Hall in London, as part of the BFI London Film Festival, on October 15.

When does Klara and the Sun release?

October 23, according to Page Six and Just Jared.

Cover photo: Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0