Salma Hayek’s Two Kering Looks Tell Very Different Stories

There are two recent red carpet appearances from Salma Hayek that I wanted to cover together, as I was fascinated by the contrast between two Kering-owned labels. One gives us the Salma we have seen many times before, while the other feels much closer to where I would like to see her red carpet style heading.

Without Blood New York Special Screening

Salma wore a custom Gucci one-shoulder red gown. It’s simple and effective, doing exactly what you want a red carpet dress to do: make an impact and flatter the wearer.

There’s nothing particularly new about the formula, but Salma looks beautiful, and red has always been a great colour for her.

Digger Royal London Premiere

Dressed in Bottega Veneta, Salma wore a black cape-effect draped silk-satin maxi dress.

Even with the creases — which are minor, by the way — this feels so much more contemporary and much grander. The styling also makes a considerable difference, with the gold Bottega Veneta Andiamo clutch and Boucheron jewels giving the black satin exactly what it needed.

I wanted to put these two looks side by side because the contrast says a lot. I can picture Salma wearing that Gucci dress 10 or even 20 years ago, and I don’t know if that says more about the dress or Gucci currently under Demna. There is nothing wrong with classic red carpet glamour, but I’m not seeing a new proposition for Salma in the first look.

The Bottega Veneta look feels firmly in the present, while still giving her the glamour and sense of occasion that suit her. This is how I want to see Mrs Pinault.

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