Anya Taylor-Joy in Custom Dior at the 2021 Emmy Awards

Anya Taylor-Joy’s appearance at the 2021 Emmy Awards was a masterclass in architectural glamour, a “back-first” silhouette that redefined the red carpet as a site of cinematic storytelling. Styled by Law Roach and Paul Burgo, the Anya Taylor-Joy ensemble combined a slinky, pale yellow Dior Haute Couture gown with an explosive, sun-drenched opera cape, creating a visual dialogue between 1960s mod-glam and the golden age of Hollywood.

Key Fashion Takeaways

• The “Drama Cape”: Designed by the artisans at Dior, the ensemble centered on a saturated canary yellow cape that functioned as a fluid, high-impact train. It was less of an accessory and more of a structural extension of the gown, providing a sense of motion even in stillness.
• Mod-Hollywood Hybrid: The choice of such a vibrant, uncompromising yellow was a deliberate nod to 1960s mod aesthetics, bridging the gap between the vintage sensibility of The Queen’s Gambit and the timeless elegance of legacy red carpet dressing.
• Backless Engineering: The gown’s halter neck gave way to a completely open back, designed specifically to frame a series of Tiffany & Co. diamonds that hung vertically, shifting the focal point from the front to the often-overlooked rear silhouette.

“The architectural precision of the shoulder line and the sheer volume of the cape elevated this from a mere garment to a wearable sculpture.”

The craftsmanship involved in the look was immense, with Dior professionals spending approximately 450 hours to bring the vision to life—200 hours for the slinky base gown and an additional 250 hours dedicated to the meticulous construction of the cape and train.

High-Value Brilliance: The Tiffany Archives

To complement the architectural gravity of the Dior gown, Law Roach accessorized Taylor-Joy with approximately $800,000 worth of Tiffany & Co. diamonds and yellow sapphires. The most arresting detail was the choice to style two Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard platinum necklaces so that they elegantly draped down the actress’s bare back—a styling choice inspired by the effortless glamour of mid-century screen icons.

The jewelry suite was completed with platinum diamond starburst earrings and a yellow sapphire and baguette diamond bracelet from the brand’s prestigious Blue Book Collection. On her fingers, she wore two massive statement pieces: an over-17-carat yellow sapphire diamond ring and a delicate platinum vine-shaped ring, further anchoring the ensemble’s “more-is-more” approach to high-fashion jewelry.

The Beauty Strategy

Dior Beauty makeup artist Georgie Eisdell designed a glam strategy that prioritized a sharp, high-contrast counterpoint to the monochromatic yellow of the attire. “I kept her eyes soft and classic to complement the pale yellow gown and chose a bright red lip, which perfectly complemented her yellow opera coat,” Eisdell explained.

To achieve this, she utilized the Diorshow 5 Couleurs Couture Eyeshadow Palette and the Mono Color Eyeshadow in #530 Tulle for the eyes, while the high-impact statement lip was a layering of Rouge Dior Contour No-Transfer Lip Liner Pencil and Rouge Dior Forever Liquid Transfer-Proof Lipstick. Meanwhile, hairstylist Gregory Russell designed a sleek, architectural bun to ensure nothing obstructed the view of the open back and the cascading Elsa Peretti Tiffany & Co. necklaces.

Outfit Inspired by Anya

For those looking to channel Taylor-Joy’s high-drama yellow moment, these silk and satin options offer a similar sculptural elegance and vibrant color palette.