The Dune Presentation Tour: Part Two turns into a real fashion show. The entrance to the cinema has become a catwalk where, thanks to the magic of a vintage design by Thierry Mugler from 1995, you can see a cyborg Zendaya and a Timothée Chalamet with silver trousers inspired by a disco ball signed by Haider Ackermann, or an Anya Taylor-Joy who looks like a nun straight out of a Francisco de Zurbarán painting. The actress confirmed at the film's London presentation on February 15 that she will play a role in the new installment of the sci-fi saga directed by Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049, Arrival). He joins an impressive cast that already includes Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Léa Seydoux, Charlotte Rampling and Javier Bardem. According to the film trade publication Variety, Taylor-Joy's role is currently unknown, although there is speculation among fans of the books written by Frank Herbert in the 1960s that she will play Alia Atreides, the sister of Paul Atreides (the character played by Chalamet) or Wensicia Corrino, sister of Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh).
Anya Taylor-Joy, at the presentation of the second part of “Dune”. Next to it is the painting “Monje Jerónimo Pérez” from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, a work by Zurbarán from 1628.
During her surprise appearance in London, the actress (who became famous for her role in The Queen's Gambit and will star in another great sci-fi film this year, Furiosa, part of the Mad Max universe) delighted the audience by She appeared in pristine white, like a divine apparition, with a tailored Dior outfit. Born in Miami but raised between Buenos Aires and London, the artist has been the brand's ambassador since 2021 and usually wears outfits designed for her by the French house's creative director, Maria Grazia Chiuri. On this occasion, Taylor-Joy, 27, chose a dress with a full pleated skirt over which she wore a sheer cape toca reminiscent of the Golden Age painter's paintings and a 1961 design by Marc Bohan for Dior was inspired by the Hyménée wedding dress.
Zurbarán, born in Fuente de Cantos (Badajoz) in 1598, was famous for his care in reflecting fabrics and folds in his canvases, and his works have inspired various fashion designers centuries later. In the exhibition Balenciaga and Spanish Painting presented by the Thyssen-Bornesmiza Museum in 2019, one could experience up close the painter's clear influence on the Getaria designer. The habits of his monks and brothers were presented along with some of the couturier's wedding designs to show the parallels between the painter's work and that of the designer. “He admired these simple habits of the Mercedarian monks, which convey elegance and mysticism with just three samples and here enter into dialogue with several wedding dresses.” Two iconic examples stand out: the one he made for Fabiola from Belgium (great-granddaughter of the Marchioness of Casa Torres) and the one he designed for Carmen Martínez Bordiú,” explained the curator of the exhibition, Eloy Martínez de la Pera RTVE. .
In 2019, the Thyssen-Bornesmisza Museum in Madrid presented the exhibition “Balenciaga and Spanish Painting,” which showcased the visual inspirations behind the designer's clothes. The Carthusians of Zurbrarán (pictured) were one of his great references.Quim Llenas (Getty Images)
In fact, one of Balenciaga's most popular designs, her 1967 wedding dress with cape headpiece, is one of the references that Taylor-Joy's look could evoke. This iconic garment, featured in the Cristóbal Balenciaga series on Disney+, was reinterpreted by Demna (Creative Director of Balenciaga since 2015) in his Fall-Winter 2021 Haute Couture collection. And the original model was part of the Metropolitan Museum of New York exhibition Heavenly Bodies, which served as the common theme for the 2018 Met Gala; Exhibition where the Dior model designed by Bohan was also exhibited (at the headquarters of The Cloisters museum). This magnificent Met exhibition explored the relationship between Catholic iconography and fashion, with garments by Versace or Dolce & Gabbana reminiscent of Byzantine mosaics, dresses by John Galliano inspired by papal clothing, sets by Yves Saint Laurent, the Designs based on images of virgins, such as Balenciaga's, evoked the habits of the monastic orders of the Carthusians and Mercedarians.
According to Elio Berhanyer in 2013, Zurbarán was the first Spanish fashion designer. He explained this during the presentation of another exhibition that confronted fashion with the artist's paintings: Santas de Zurbarán. Dedication and conviction, organized in Seville. On this occasion, it was not the monastic habits recorded by the painter that were discussed, but rather the precious fabrics with which he clothed his saints.
The wedding dress designed by Balenciaga in 1967 in its presentation made by the Metropolitan Museum in New York on the occasion of the “Heavenly Bodies” exhibition in 2018.
Until the premiere of Dune: Part Two on March 1st, there is still an opportunity to surprise with new outfits on the film's presentation tour. And to reveal the mystery surrounding Taylor-Joy's character and dispel the doubt as to whether she wanted to give a hint with her Dior styling. For now, the actress has only made a brief comment about her participation in the film, which Warker Bros. showed live on TikTok during the presentation in London: “This is a dream come true.” The books are incredible, but with this cast and with Denis there is nothing better.”
When the presentation of the film becomes a real catwalk: the cast of the new part of “Dune” at the presentation of the film in London.Joe Maher (Getty Images)