There is no mistake in that Keira Knightley is more than just a pretty face. She has portrayed everything from an institutionalized madwoman to the headstrong leading lady to a swashbuckling buccaneer.
However, her elegant, sophisticated red carpet style that she has become known for is something that did not come as naturally to Knightley as her acting ability; it is something that she has developed through time and experience. That Keira Knightley style evolution is nowhere more apparent than it is in some of her most memorable red carpet looks over the years.
The midriff years
Anyone who was around in the early 2000’s will likely remember one of Knightley’s first defining red carpet moments. At the world premiere of her blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean in 2003, Knightley, then only 18 years old, wore a pair of slim low-rise boot cut jeans (then all the rage) paired with a body-conscious, midriff-baring top that showed off her toned abs, but left very little to the imagination.
While the look was very much on-point for 2003, it was really more of a look you would expect to see on a nightclub patron than an A-list actress.
Likewise, at the movie’s London premiere, Knightley wore what appeared to be the same pair of jeans with a leather-trimmed bustier with cutaway draped sleeves; a look that could have been lifted straight out of the costume department from the movie she was promoting.
To be fair, Knightley was merely eighteen years old at the time and rocked both of the looks, but in our heart of hearts, we all knew that she could do better.
The glamour years
By 2006, Knightley had the sequel to Pirates of the Caribbean under her belt, and a bit more experience walking the red carpet. Knightley really amped up on the glamour for the premiere by surprising everyone in a cut-down-to-there, slinky, bronze Gucci dress.
Later on in her career, when asked about the stunning look, she stated that she “certainly wouldn’t wear anything like that now”, and that the dress was typical of a common side-effect of “young women finding their sexuality and suddenly going – whoa!”
One year later, Knightley wrapped the blockbuster period piece Atonement, in which she wore the green satin dress to end all green satin dresses. Her red carpet experience, coupled with the now legendary green dress (among others) that she wore for this role had a definite effect on her red carpet style, and she was soon spotted wearing more sophisticated, elegant attire when out promoting events.
One of the most memorable of these (apart from that green dress, of course) was the white Valentino she wore for the 2006 Golden Globe Awards. At the time, Knightley was 20 years old. What a difference a few years make!
The fashion icon years
In 2007, an advertisement that Knightley did for Coco Mademoiselle, a fragrance by the legendary design house Chanel, catapulted her already-familiar face into the limelight once again. This time the fashion world took notice.
Knightley has since been featured in several Chanel campaigns, has been in the pages of Vogue, and has an ongoing collaborative relationship with Karl Lagerfeld that often sees her dressed in head to toe Chanel for events.
One such event was Knightley’s recent nuptials to long-time beau, musician James Righton. The event was a low-key, unpretentious 10-minute affair that was performed in front of a few close friends and family. The bride chose to recycle a Chanel dress that she had worn back in 2008.
Paired with a white tweed Chanel jacket for the ceremony, the effect of her head-to-toe recycled Chanel ensemble had a stunningly vintage vibe. Knightley’s clever pairing was reported in the press with mixed reviews; while some in the fashion world lauded her resourcefulness and low-key approach, others clutched their pearls in scandal that an A-list celebrity would dare to recycle a look for her wedding day.
Whatever your opinion on the matter, it cannot be denied that in this day and age of celebrity excess and art-directed branded nuptials, Knightley’s approach was a refreshing change. Even Karl Lagerfeld weighed-in on Knightley’s wedding in an interview with E-online. He deemed the wedding perfectly lighthearted, and “the least pretentious wedding ever”.
Keira Knightley’s style transformation continues to evolve right before our very eyes. She is still the face of Chanel Mademoiselle, and continues to stun on the red carpet. Knightley is currently expecting her first child with Righton, and her red carpet maternity style is as elegant and sophisticated as we have come to expect from her. We can hardly wait to see what lies ahead.
Cover photo: imgkid.com
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