Joely Richardson was born to wear clothes fantastically. Her second speaking role was as an extra in her father’s drama The Cost of the Lighting Brigade, which was a three-year veteran. She is the child of acting legend and national treasure director Tony Richardson.
Along with a style history that has earned Richardson acclaim as one of Britain’s most sexiest women, an illustrious career followed with films and television including Lady Chatterley, 101 Dachshunds, and Nip/Tuck. But today, aged 59, she’s hitting a new large, as proven by a number of daring looks.
Take the dazzling silver red Hermès dress she wore on Tuesday for the launch of her film, which featured coordinated equipment and jangling jewels. Richardson looked ready to dance the night away at Studio 54.
“I loved the dress’s simplicity and excitement, ” the artist tells me between commercial jobs. “Lady Eularia, my protagonist in the present, is so expressive through her clothing so it seemed appropriate. I love powerful clothing.”
It’s an excellent example of the “method dressing” trend currently sweeping Hollywood.
Richardson’s artist, Jennifer Michalski-Bray, picks up the back tale to the disco-tastic outfit. “Joely is usually willing to try something, which is really good. If I’m definitely into anything, she’ll always put it on,” she says.
“The perception I had for the clothing was very 70s, with great locks and make-up, lots of jewels. And therefore full-on OTT with the matching Hermès equipment; I think that’s what knocked the look out of the rough.”
Indeed, “stunning”, “amazing ” and “total glamour puss ” were just a few of the online reactions to Richardson’s look.
Hermès has become an essential component of Richardson’s style. “They are big fans of Joely and she’s but also suited to the company,” says Michalski-Bray, who describes Richardson as “the best Hermès woman”.
“She has her life in the country with her dogs and gardening, which feels like such a perfect fit for Hermès, ” she says. But Richardson’s chameleon-like capacity means she’s as ready to epitomize the Flemish comfort label’s more outré styles as she is its silent classics.
Richardson wore a thigh-high boots and feathery little outfit for the launch of her role as Lady Sabrina, the duchess princess family attempting to save her household from the judicial underworld, as an additional look that Hermès took as its starting point.
“We frequently make choices at the eleventh hour. The gorgeous Hermès boots gave rise to the dark Taller Marmo clothing. the boots chose the dress,” Richardson remembers. “I love aesthetic, but wanted those too.”
She makes an allusion to the courage and approach the former Prince Charles shared with Camilla Parker-Bowles on the night of his affair. “It was a funny moment when the dress was dubbed ‘the non-revenge, revenge dress’ as I’d nothing to be revenged at; it was an hour of pure joy celebrating the labor we’d all done, ” says Richardson.
For Michalski-Bray, the LBD was the result of her rising to a problem from Richardson. “She told me she wanted something really ‘wow’, a suitable showstopper, which was so different from what she’s done before,” she recalls. “You don’t see many 59-year-olds do that, but it was her way of demonstrating that anyone can enjoy fashion at any age.”
“Richardson couldn’t be happier about how everyone’s ages are being embraced as she approaches her 60th birthday next year. I’m so glad that older women are currently being celebrated in style with things like that,” she says. The French have always excelled at that, and I am happy anyone has adapted from them.”
Richardson is a wonderful advertisement for preventing time stereotypes from hindering the enjoyment of dressing up. Joey is currently very interested in taking great trend risks; she’s just embracing style and I’m having fun with that, ” says Michalski-Bray. “Age is just a number and Joely absolutely proves that,” she continues. “She can take off any dress.”
Naturally, it helps that Richardson is statuesque and beautiful but Michalski-Bray (who confirms “Joely’s very tall so she immediately looks effortlessly chic wearing so many pieces”) insists it’s just as much about attitude as physical attributes. My suggestion would be to simply set on something and, if you feel great, use it. Because you are older than a certain age, I wouldn’t worry about something being too short.
“If you’re having fun with clothing, that ’s the most important thing. Everything we do has a fun aspect to it, which I adore. ”
Beyond the airs, Michalski-Bray has put together a closet of daylight looks for Richardson’s special obligations which also reflect this new taste for pushing boundaries.
Richardson wore a vegan leather-based Safiyaa midi dress on This Morning earlier this week; She also loves her environmental credentials, and this week’s designer’s embellished black co-ord looked great with it.
Other favorites include chunky Louis Vuitton loafers, Anna Mason blouses and Me+Em trousers. “I love that Jennifer brings new designers into the picture,” says Richardson. I consider myself to be incredibly lucky to be able to model and write stories around these pieces. Because I’ve worked with costume designers in theaters, TV shows, and movies, I’ve learned that the character development process is all about character.”
One label Richardson frequently uses is The star and her mother always take their place on the front row of the designer’s show, which is a highlight of London Fashion Week. Instead of the one-season wonder appearances you frequently see from other brands and celebrities, this is obviously a deep and lasting relationship.
Richardson frequently wears a collection that is either a gorgeously louche suit or a vibrantly graceful goddess gown. “Roksanda has been a love affair, ” she confirms. “Every piece of hers is a work of art, and I adore that all of her designs are gender, age, and size, which is a plus. She discovers the strength and beauty within. ”
One area where Richardson and Michalski-Bray differ? Their takes on the actress’s off-duty style. “I rarely shop, so I’m scruffy and blend in when not working, a bit too scruffy,” insists Richardson, although she does concede that amidst the jeans and tracksuits, she does love Wales Bonner.
Michalski-Bray observes things a little differently. “She looks incredible in her off-duty style, like she just rolled out of a Ralph Lauren campaign,” she argues. “She’s always dressed impeccably. Layering is essential for her because she excels at putting outfits together. She sticks to a certain colour palette, a lot of cream and tans. She has star quality; that presence.”
Having seen a few pictures on social media of Richardson in her everyday uniform (including one posted recently in which she wears fashion editors are currently obsessed with, which consists of a polo neck, shirt and blazer), I’d say Michalski-Bray’s assessment is accurate, though of course the very essence of Richardson’s off-duty chic is its nonchalance.
At 59, what is her final opinion of impeccable dressing? “I believe that too much good taste can turn out to be bad taste.”