Coel’s ankle-length gown features sculptural draping and hip-baring cut-outs, showcasing Carzana’s innovative design.

In today’s celebrity red carpet scene, the trend is to either delve into fashion archives or showcase the latest creations from emerging talents, as evidenced by Michaela Coel’s recent outfit. The actress donned a striking ensemble from rising London designer Paolo Carzana at a dinner hosted by Net-a-Porter and De Beers.

Coel wore a subdued gown from Carzana’s spring 2024 collection, crafted entirely from recycled or deadstock fabrics and dyed with plant-based colors. The ankle-length garment boasted sculptural draping at the top, accentuated by a daring hip-baring cut-out on the side. Carzana’s design aesthetics extended to the crumpled hemline and raw-edge finish of the skirt, creating a cohesive look. Fans of the brand may recall Zendaya flaunting a similar style from Carzana’s collection during her press tour for “Dune: Part Two” in Mexico City, showcasing the designer’s distinctive distressing and cut-outs.

Championing young designers like Carzana has been a recurring theme for Zendaya, who has previously introduced London talent Torishéju Dumi to the limelight. Coel’s departure from the traditional power suits worn by other attendees, such as Kate Winslet and Gillian Anderson, made her ecru gown a standout choice.

Carzana’s innovative take on classic silhouettes positions his brand as a natural fit for the red carpet. However, it’s particularly inspiring to witness celebrities endorsing emerging designers at such an early stage in their careers. Carzana, a graduate of the University of Westminster in 2018, made his London Fashion Week debut just over a year ago and has recently been shortlisted for the prestigious LVMH prize. It’s safe to assume that more stars will soon be clamoring to showcase his creations on the red carpet.