“Abracadabra” to “Another Simple Favor”—latex is the connective tissue between these two seismic current cultural moments.
Blake Lively appeared at the South by Southwest premiere of Another Simple Favor—braving the humid weather to wear a custom Reneé Masoomian look. She wore a dusty pink tea-length latex skirt with black lace embroidery and a matching bustier. Over the top, Lively wore a short-sleeved, vintage-inspired overcoat in the same slick material—but chose to pop it open and divest for the red carpet. A wise decision in the Texas heat.
It was an avant-garde Mad Men’s Betty Draper with a touch of BDSM. Lively wore her long blonde hair in retro victory rolls to lean into the vintage feel, with big cocktail rings on her fingers and black pom-pom heels.
Reneé Masoomian is a New York-based designer known for her sleek, avant-garde latex designs that find inspiration in vintage silhouettes, with a focus on more sustainable practices and using environmentally responsible materials for her creations. Most recently, she produced a look for Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra” music video, commissioned by Olivier Theyskens: A blood red, almost clerical and warped shouldered cape that’s held together with nails.
This marked Lively’s second public appearance since the ongoing legal dispute with her It Ends With Us costar and director Justin Baldoni, and the first time she has spoken publicly since.
While she swerved any red carpet interviews, she did take the time to take selfies with fans outside the theater. Lively also spoke on stage alongside co-star Anna Kendrick before the film screening. “I love this character so much. It’s probably my favorite character I’ve ever been fortunate enough to play,” she told the audience.
It’s well known that Blake Lively styles herself, and this does feel like quite an adventurous spin on her usual red carpet formula. For her recent appearance at the SNL50: The Anniversary Special, she wore a silver, floral embellished Tamara Ralph gown. The press tour for It Ends With Us was wide-ranging and fun: Several dramatic Versace couture gowns and a Pepto Bismol pink fairy mini-dress, a sleek Chanel knit, and floral oversized Stella McCartney suit. This feels like a suitable look for the Another Simple Favour sartorial tour, given Lively’s elegant, mysterious, and devious character Emily. But more Lively in latex? TBC.
