Look of the Week: Emma D’Arcy’s scene-stealing red carpet coat

By Leah Dolan, CNN

At the London premiere of Alejandro González Iñárritu’s new film “Digger,” Emma D’Arcy arrived at the red carpet event in a scene-stealing silky duster coat.

The “House of the Dragon” breakout star managed to harness the theatricality of a regal ballgown (they were rubbing shoulders with the Prince and Princess of Wales, after all) without sacrificing the comfort of trousers. They did it via an undulating light-catching duster coat by Valentino that was so long it pooled gently at the floor, trailing behind the star as they walked. “The look is quite ’90s Hugh Grant,” D’Arcy told Vogue.

Many assume there are two options for red carpets — suits or gowns. Sometimes you can do both, as Billy Porter did in 2019 with his Christian Siriano tuxedo dress. But the fun starts when you remember there are more options on the table.

Duster coats are not a traditional black-tie choice. In fact, in the 19th century, they were hard-wearing travel jackets made of linen or canvas — worn to protect more special clothes underneath from the mud, rain and dust kicked up from riding a horse, being in a carriage or later, being driven in a car.

D’Arcy’s pearlescent version, however, is the most special thing they are wearing, made more glamorous with a Tiffany & Co. brooch designed by 20th century jewelry artist Jean Schlumberger. It’s more spiritually akin to an opera coat — the dazzling genre of 1900s outerwear made with brocade silk and often trimmed with fur.

D’Arcy’s jacket is more subtle. Their draped red blouse, also Valentino, peeks through the cuffs and winds around their neck. The actor, whose red carpet style mainly consists of some seriously louche and luxurious suits, isn’t interested in wearing dresses. But who can resist a little silky drama?

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