Flowy capes and slinky velvet dresses: Behind these spotlight-stealing Louis Vuitton gowns
His name might be in the title, but at the premier of the latest James Bond film, all eyes were on the movie's female stars instead — not least because of their stunning outfits. No Time to Die has been hyped as a game-changer in the long-running franchise because of a renewed emphasis on its female characters and stars: Something the series was sorely lacking in before.
"In the past, the women in [the James Bond franchise] were not as developed," said Seydoux in a separate interview. "With Naomie Harris, Lashana Lynch and Ana de Armas, there’s this panel of strong women in it and there’s diversity... Plus, they’re not just strong characters. They have real depth."
Leading lady Lea Seydoux takes the lead with a stunning silk georgette crêpe dress, one that took — get ready — over 500 hours to put together by hand.
The sheer, lightweight texture of the crêpe georgette gives the final creation an almost otherworldly effect — one underscored by the staggering amount of beadwork that was hand-embroidered into it; the dress houses a staggering 29,000 sequins, 50,000 cuvettes and 8,800 glass beads.
The entire look is pulled together by a dramatic cape that attaches to the nape of the neck, allowing it to fall over the shoulders in a natural, sensuous manner.
Not to be outdone is Ana de Armas and her slinky black number. There are few combinations as fine or perennial as black velvet and glistening metal — a pairing that Louis Vuitton plays on in this sultry creation.
The dress is bias-cut, a technique that allows the material to run more fluidly over the body, creating a distinct — but not overdone — silhouette. A plunging neckline and brow-raising side split underscores the dress' Bond-girl charm.
Two chain-like straps were added to finish off the dress and give it a bit of additional edge. The Byzantine pattern on the straps was created digitally with laser cutting: Made of thousands of beads and rhinestones, the straps alone took over 100 hours to complete.
