Jurnee Smollett’s Lovecraft Country Character Inspired Her Emmys Look

Jurnee Smollett started planning her Emmys look with stylist Alexandra Mandelkorn as soon as she found out she was nominated for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for her role as Leti Lewis in Lovecraft Country. “I wanted to bring in elements of Leti to whatever Ali and I chose for the Emmys while keeping it current. Whether it was a really small waist, flowy A-line skirt—Ali and I agreed that whatever direction we went, we wanted it to feel timeless yet modern.” A red-carpet moment that smacks of the 1950s? Only Dior Haute Couture would do. 

Working with Maria Grazia Chiuri and the team at Dior, Mandelkorn and Smollett decided on a hand-pleated, strapless dress made from raw silk gauze with a fringe underskirt. The beige piece certainly suggests Old Hollywood (especially with Smollett’s updo by Nikki Nelms and bold, dark red lip by Vincent Oquendo), but the tiered skirt and raw hems bring it into the 21st century. Decked out with jewels from Bulgari, Smollett was ready for her big moment. “This gown is unlike anything I’ve worn before,” Smollett says. “Pairing it with jewels from Bulgari’s Divas’ Dream collection made me feel like a princess. I just wanted to spin in it all night long.”  

To get herself in the right headspace for the exciting night ahead, Smollett started her day with meditation, journaling, prayer, a workout, and an ice bath. “And then I danced in the mirror to ‘Lost Queen’ by Pharrell to hype me up for the day,” she says. She also paid homage to her late Lovecraft Country costar Michael K. Williams by putting pins with the actor’s initials in her hair. 

As a first-time nominee, the night held special significance for Smollett. The critically acclaimed show, which received five Emmy nominations, will end after its first season. But Smollett will carry her character with her. “I feel a lot. I feel a profound sense of gratitude for the work my Lovecraft family and I created together,” she says. “I’ve been reflecting on all the highs and lows of this adventure we’ve gone on together, and I feel blessed to have experienced all of it. This experience will stay with me forever. Leti will stay with me forever.”  

See how she got ready for the night below.