See All the Hidden Messages in Thandie Newton’s Star Wars Dress
Do you like hidden messages? If yes, then you'll really love actress Thandie Newton's Solo: A Star Wars Story premiere gown. (If no, we really can't help you.)
The actress's custom, high-low silk Vivienne Westwood gown and golden platform sandals had her looking impeccable as always, but—following in the vein of her sexy robot Westworld character—Newton’s look was more than meets the eye.
What looks to be an abstract, crème-colored print, is actually the effect of two patterns layered on top of one another. The first is Westwood’s classic gray “absence of roses” print, and the second is a custom photo collage of action figures. These are no average action figures, mind you, but characters from Newton's personal collection of African American Star Wars character action figures, which were then photographed by Christian Hogstedt. (What, you don't have your own collection of Star Wars action figures of color?)
The actors represented include Billy Dee Williams, John Boyega, Samuel L. Jackson, Forest Whitaker, and Hugh Quarshie. So yeah, not an overwhelming list.
The print was meant to highlight the significance of Newton’s appearance in Solo, as the actress is the first black woman to play a prominent role in a Star Wars film.
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But that's not all. Not only is the gown a subtle nod to representation in Hollywood, addressing the industry's ongoing issue of lack of diversity—remember #OscarsSoWhite?— but Thandie’s stylist, Erin Walsh, also shared on Instagram that the dress is a statement for eco-friendly fashion, too.
The ensemble is part of Eco-Age’s Green Carpet Challenge, helmed by the organization’s founder and creative director Livia Firth, also the wife of actor Colin Firth. The gown is 100% ethically sourced, down to the upcycled Swarovski crystals embellishing the train.
Newton's look is one of many subtle political statements we've seen on the Cannes carpet this week, from Kristen Stewart's decision to ditch her heels in response to the outdated rule that once required women to heels, to the participation of dozens of actresses and directors—including Stewart and Cate Blanchett—in a march to raise awareness for the need for more women filmmakers.
Approve, we're sure Yoda would.