This week, we celebrated the annual Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year Awards, where we honoured some of the most inspiring figures in the worlds of music, art, film, television and sport – and this included actress Sophie Turner, who was awarded with the Performance accolade for her brilliant work in the ITV drama Joan.
For the occasion, Turner turned, as she often does, to Louis Vuitton, in the form of a fully fringed mini dress that caught the light in the most beautiful way.
We caught up with the star as she was getting ready in her suite at Claridge’s where she opened up about her style evolution, when she feels her most beautiful and why she thinks that fashion is key for being able to express yourself.
Please talk us through your look for the awards tonight – what drew you to this particular outfit?
“It’s an LV dress – it is the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen. I don’t know how it works but it’s fringed all over – it’s white and mini. I don’t know how many little strings there are but it’s probably in the thousands. We tried on a whole bunch of dresses and the reason I picked it out was because when I went and looked back at the photos, it was almost shining – it looked like a pearl or something, I just loved the way it caught the light. And why wouldn’t I want to look like a pearl? I also never really wear white, so that was nice to do, but it was also quite standout I thought.”
What makes Louis Vuitton such a great fit for you and your personal style?
“It’s a number of things – firstly, it is very comfortable and I like to be comfortable. In my personal life, I wear very monotone clothes, I avoid bold statements, I don’t feel like I have the confidence to wear them. But, LV brings out this other side of me and I don’t really have that feeling unless I am wearing Nicolas’ creations. It makes me feel powerful and strong – it’s the dream collaboration. I never feel better than when I’m wearing his designs.”
How involved do you tend to be with the styling process?
“I would say that I am very involved. I like to shoot ideas around with my stylists and I’m always there on the ground – they’ll send me ideas and I’ll send them right back. I know what I like when it comes to hair and make-up – I’m very collaborative like that, and I like to hear what they think is best. They’re obviously creatively inclined and I always want everyone else’s opinion. These people are put in positions because they are creatively the best in the business. I like to get an amalgamation of everyone’s ideas and put it all together.”
What kind of fashion makes you feel your most confident?
“Silhouette wise, I like big shoulders, a small waist and flared trousers to the floor that will make my legs look elongated. I am all about highlighting a woman’s body to extremes – you know, huge shoulder pads, a cinched-in waist, really long legs. I am always drawn to anything that really celebrates the female form.”
How has your style evolved over the years?
“In recent years, I’ve stuck to the same kind of formula, I think. But growing up, you try out a lot of different things when you’re finding your own personal style, and it often doesn’t come out great. In my every day, I’ve worn some pretty horrific looks over the years and I’m sure some people will say that on carpets I’ve worn some horrific looks. I think I’ve calmed down now and realised that when I am getting dressed day to day, I am drawn to comfort and monotone, but on the red carpet, it’s evolving and the older I’m getting, the more sleek I want to look, and sexy – but I also want to be bold.”
What has been your most memorable fashion moment in recent years and why?
“I really loved the dress I wore to the Vanity Fair Oscars party – it was Louis Vuitton and in 2022 I think. It was this really beautiful black dress that Nicolas had made for me, and I have just never felt more great on a red carpet. Another that stands out is the most recent LV cruise show where we dug through the archives and found this amazing pink blazer and trousers. That was amazing – I just love wearing archival stuff and throwing a nod back to the beginnings of a designer’s work and how they came to be.”
Whose style have you always admired and why?
“Lots of people for lots of different reasons – I admire people’s style but I could never replicate it, I know it wouldn’t suit me. Cher’s style is incredible, especially all the Bob Mackie stuff. I also love the Olsen twins and how they will take a Birkin and beat it up so bad so it’s unrecognisable and yet it will still look so chic. And then I think Cate Blanchett always looks incredible – and Zoe Kravitz, Bella Hadid, all the fashion girlies. And Chappell Roan is absolutely killing it right now.”
What is your ideal getting-ready set-up?
“I like to have really good energy around me – that’s half the reason my glam team are the glam team I have. I mean apart from being the best in the business, they have such a great vibe. The mimosas have just arrived in fact – so I’ll be having one of those. Basically I just like it to feel like when you were a kid getting all dressed up to go to a friend’s birthday party, and you have the music blaring and all your mates around. That is what I want.”
When do you feel most beautiful?
“There’s definitely a confidence that comes with having all the glam done and an amazing dress on, but I think I probably feel the most beautiful when I am going to bed. Just showered, no make-up, lots of moisturiser on my face, a mask in my hair, just nestled into bed, all lathered in my favourite products.”
Fashion has a reputation for being frivolous, but why does what we wear matter?
“It’s an expression of ourselves and for a lot of people, fashion is their life – and I understand that because sometimes you can’t fully express yourself or you feel like you don’t necessarily have a voice, but you can show it through your clothing. I think for a lot of people, it’s the way they get their message out to the world – and it’s also exciting to dress up and put an outfit together. I think it’s really important. It’s a message to the world about who you are.”
