Zoë Kravitz steps out for the Caught Stealing photocall in Paris in a silk mini dress. We examine why this seemingly simple look from the style icon left something to be desired, and what it means for the future of celebrity fashion.
The first time I saw a minimalist silk slip dress glide down a Parisian runway, it was a whisper—an intimate thought from a designer about a return to unadorned elegance. Years later, it’s become a full-throttled roar in celebrity fashion , but the question remains: When does simplicity become simply… forgettable?
It’s a question that lingered with me after Zoë Kravitz arrived for the Caught Stealing photocall at Cinema Max Linder in Paris on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Her signature insouciance was there, yes, but the look itself—an ivory Saint Laurent silk satin mini dress—left me craving the kind of spark that usually defines her red carpet moments.
I’ll admit, the dress itself is a study in refined restraint: a high-quality silk with a delicate lace trim that suggests an inner slip. The very essence of French chic, perhaps, but stripped of the unique styling that makes a look feel truly her own. It’s an ensemble that feels… safe. And for a woman whose style evolution has been a masterclass in unexpected, genre-bending moments—from ethereal Met Gala gowns to her fierce street style —”safe” is a word that simply shouldn’t apply.
Her stylist, Danielle Goldberg, is a master of the quiet, minimalist aesthetic, and that influence is unmistakable here. Yet, when I think back to the standout looks she created for Margaret Qualley’s recent press tour—the precise tailoring, the subtle nods to sartorial history—this feels like a missed opportunity. The black Saint Laurent Frankie mules are a smart, subtle choice, but they don’t elevate the look from low-key to high-impact. It’s a look that, while perfectly pretty, fades into the background, especially against the dramatic backdrop of the film’s poster.
And while photocalls typically call for a more relaxed approach, Zoë has never been one to settle for the expected. One might argue the lack of dramatic jewelry is a choice, a way to let the dress breathe, and the Jessica McCormack Asymmetric Oval & Round Brilliant Diamond Hoop Earrings and 6.27Ct East-West Cushion Diamond Button Back Ring do offer a touch of sparkle. But in this case, the restraint feels less like a purposeful statement and more like a gentle shrug.
The contrast here is what gets me. It’s the difference between embracing an aesthetic and simply wearing it. True Parisian style is not just about the clothes; it’s about the nonchalance, the attitude, the effortless way it all comes together. With Zoë, the attitude is always there, a constant. It’s the clothes that didn’t quite catch up this time.
Is this a sign that we’ve reached peak quiet luxury, where the allure of simplicity has dulled to a soft hum? Or is it simply a momentary sartorial pause for an icon who will, no doubt, stop us in our tracks again very soon?
Here are some of my favorite ways to master the art of the silk slip dress, elevating it from a simple garment to a statement piece:
- Accessorize with Intention. A silk slip dress is a blank canvas. Instead of a single, understated ring, try layering different delicate chains or a single, chunky gold cuff.
- Layer with a Blazer or Leather Jacket. Throwing an oversized blazer or a cropped leather jacket over a slip dress adds an unexpected edge and transforms it from evening wear to a chic daytime look.
- Choose Unexpected Footwear. Swap out delicate mules for a pair of combat boots or structured loafers. This creates a striking juxtaposition of hard and soft that feels modern and rebellious.
- Play with Color and Texture. If you’re going for a simple silhouette, experiment with vibrant colors like a deep emerald green or rich burgundy, or choose a dress with a subtle jacquard pattern to add depth.
- Focus on Hair and Makeup. When the outfit is simple, your beauty look becomes the focal point. A bold, graphic eyeliner, a perfectly messy chignon, or a slicked-back bun can be the finishing touch that elevates the entire ensemble.
For more on the latest trends and red carpet moments, check out our list of popular celebrities .
Safiya Shamji attended the Hollywood Grit premiere in Los Angeles, proving once again that a little black dress—when cut with precision and styled with confidence—is anything but basic.
The look is a masterclass in modern simplicity. Shamji’s dress, a sleek black number with a satin finish, showcases an impeccable fit. The spaghetti straps and a plunging V-neckline create a classic, feminine silhouette, while the structured, almost architectural lines across the midsection add an unexpected twist. It’s a dress that seems to hold its own, clinging just so and highlighting her figure without a single frill or embellishment. The fabric has a slight sheen that catches the light, giving it a subtle sense of richness and movement.
Shamji complemented her minimalist dress with a few choice accessories. Her black patent leather pumps, with their sharply pointed toes and high, stiletto heels, extend the clean lines of the outfit. On her wrist, a simple black band and a pop of color from a red string bracelet—a quiet, personal detail that breaks the formality of the look. Her hair, styled in a sleek, straight down ‘do, and her barely-there makeup, focus the attention entirely on the dress and her radiant confidence.
It’s this kind of understated yet powerful style that makes a statement on the red carpet . Shamji’s ensemble is a reminder that fashion at its best isn’t always about the loudest statement, but about the sharpest execution. She looks poised, confident, and entirely in control—a look that’s as much about attitude as it is about the clothes. For more celebrity red carpet moments and fashion breakdowns, be sure to check out our extensive archives of the most memorable looks.
The last time Lorde graced a magazine cover with this much quiet ferocity, she was likely dissecting the existential dread of suburbia—or rewriting the rules of pop stardom. But for Le Monde’s 23 August 2025 issue, the Kiwi icon trades her usual lyrical whiplash for something far more visceral: a study in monochrome dominance, where leather meets shadow, and attitude is the only accessory that matters.
Lorde doesn’t just wear an outfit; she inhabits it like a second skin—or perhaps, a suit of armor. Here, she’s swathed in a custom black leather ensemble , its structured silhouette clinging to her frame like a sculptor’s deliberate stroke. The high-neck blouse, with its sharp, angular lapels, feels less like fabric and more like a manifesto: this is what happens when minimalism grows teeth . The material, rich and supple, catches the light just enough to hint at its luxurious weight, while the belted waist cinches her into a silhouette that’s equal parts 1970s power dressing and cyberpunk insouciance . It’s the kind of look that makes you wonder if she raided a dystopian CEO’s closet—or if the CEO raided hers.
The gloves, extending past her wrists in a gesture both regal and rebellious, are a masterstroke. They transform a simple pose—hands cradling her head—into something akin to a modern-day oracle delivering prophecies in leather . And those rings! A single, chunky band on her left hand, its dark stone winking like a secret. No frills, no excess. Just the unshakable confidence of someone who knows that less isn’t just more; it’s a cultural reset .
The Mood: Less ‘Green Light’, More ‘Neon Noir’ The photography, stark and high-contrast, strips away any pretense of softness. Lorde’s gaze is direct, unflinching—a challenge to the viewer, daring them to look away first. Her hair, slicked back into a severe ponytail, amplifies the sharpness of her features, while her makeup (smoky eyes, a bare lip) ensures the focus remains on the architecture of the outfit . This isn’t a photoshoot; it’s a visual thesis on the intersection of vulnerability and control.
In one shot, she presses her palms together as if in prayer—or perhaps in preparation for battle. In another, her arms frame her face like the wings of some dark angel, casting shadows that feel intentional, almost sculptural. The lighting is dramatic but never overdone, carving her features into relief and turning the background into a void. It’s cinematic , yes, but also intimately raw, like a still from a film where the protagonist is always one step ahead of the chaos.
Cultural Context: The Anti-Pop Star Lorde has spent her career dismantling the trappings of celebrity, and this cover is no different. At a time when celebrity style often screams for attention, she whispers—and the room leans in. The leather, the gloves, the unapologetic severity: it’s a middle finger to the pastel pop princesses and bedazzled ingenues. This is stealth wealth meets punk poetry , a reminder that true star power doesn’t need sequins or spectacle. It thrives in the spaces between, in the unspoken tension between artist and audience.
It’s worth noting that this shoot arrives on the heels of her fourth album, Virgin , a project she’s described as her most personal yet. The music, like the imagery, is stripped-back and hypnotic , trading radio-friendly hooks for something far more visceral and uncompromising . The cover, then, isn’t just a fashion statement; it’s a sonic preview . If Virgin sounds anything like this looks, we’re in for something unsettling, electric, and utterly essential .
Styling Cohesion: The Devil’s in the Details Every element here is deliberate. The matte black leather echoes the album’s themes of introspection and reinvention, while the lack of jewelry (save for that single ring) reinforces her longstanding aversion to excess. Even her pose—a mix of defiance and contemplation—feels like a physical manifestation of her music : layered, textured, and impossible to pigeonhole.
Her hair, pulled back with precision, eliminates distraction, and the bare-faced makeup (save for those smoldering eyes) ensures the focus remains on her expression. It’s a look that says, I don’t need to try —because she’s already won.
The Big Picture: Why This Matters In an era where celebrity fashion often feels like a race to the most extravagant, Lorde’s Le Monde cover is a masterclass in restraint . It’s a declaration that style isn’t about what you wear, but how you wear it —and what you refuse to conform to. She’s not here to play dress-up. She’s here to rewrite the rules .
So, is this the future of pop iconography? Or just Lorde, yet again, proving she’s operating on a different frequency entirely? Either way, we’re watching. And taking notes.
