CNN –
At the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday night, Gillian Anderson's ivory strapless floor-length gown made two statements.
While at first glance Gabriela Hearst's chic wool and silk cady creation epitomizes old Hollywood glamour, closer inspection reveals a more subversive twist: the addition of dozens of embroidered vulvas sewn onto the skirt.
Speaking to Deadline on the Golden Globes red carpet, the “Sex Education” star explained that she chose it for “so many reasons,” adding, “It's on-brand.”
Paired with a silver metallic Aquazzura handbag and Chopard gemstones, the dress sparked debate on social media. Some users on women's reproductive rights.
Anderson himself told British Vogue: “Since my Instagram presence highlights Yonis (the Sanskrit word for uterus or vagina), since 'Sex Education' landed on Netflix, and with the mantra of my (wellness soft drinks) brand G- Spot.” To “put pleasure first,” I wanted to bring this element into the design… I’m so glad Gabriela took up the challenge!”
And it was a challenge. According to the actor, it took the artisans 3.5 hours to embroider each motif, totaling around 150 hours. Anderson has long proclaimed her admiration for the creations and sustainability expertise of the Gabriela Hearst brand, a feeling that is mutual in every way – in 2016, Hearst told the New York Times that the actress was her muse, adding: “(She is) so sexy.”, so strong: The image of intelligent beauty.”
Aside from the anatomical celebration, Anderson's dress had another revolutionary addition on the red carpet that drew her high praise. Bags. “It's so comfortable,” she told Extra TV outside the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, where the ceremony took place. “There are pockets on both sides to keep my hands warm.”