At the recent Golden Globe Awards, Gillian Anderson made waves with her choice of attire—a striking ivory gown that not only exuded classic Hollywood elegance but also carried a more daring and unconventional message.
Initially appearing as a chic and graceful wool and silk cady creation by Gabriela Hearst, the strapless floor-length gown took a surprising turn upon closer inspection. The skirt was adorned with numerous embroidered vulvas, a bold and subversive addition that sparked considerable attention.
During an interview with Deadline on the red carpet, the “Sex Education” star shared her reasons for selecting the dress, stating that she chose it “for so many reasons” and emphasized that it was “brand appropriate.”
Complementing the dress with a silver metallic handbag from Aquazzura and jewelry by Chopard, Anderson’s outfit sparked debates on social media. Some speculated that her collaboration with designer Gabriela Hearst and the vulva-adorned dress were a silent show of support for women’s reproductive rights.
Anderson later clarified to British Vogue that her choice was influenced by her social media presence, where she had been highlighting “yonis” (the Sanskrit term for womb or vagina) since her show “Sex Education” debuted on Netflix. She aimed to integrate this theme into the dress, expressing her satisfaction that Gabriela Hearst was enthusiastic about the idea.
However, the unique design posed a significant challenge. Each embroidered motif took craftsmen 3.5 hours, accumulating around 150 hours of meticulous work. Anderson has consistently praised Gabriela Hearst’s creations and sustainability efforts. In turn, Hearst, in a 2016 interview with the New York Times, lauded Anderson as her muse, describing her as “so sexy, so strong: The image of intelligent beauty.”
Beyond the anatomical celebration, Anderson highlighted another groundbreaking feature of her gown—a rare inclusion on red carpets: pockets. Delighted, she mentioned to Extra TV outside the Beverly Hilton hotel that the pockets made the dress incredibly comfortable and allowed her to keep her hands warm throughout the event.