Because Downton Abbey has been in production on and off for the better part of a decade, it can sometimes be difficult to divorce the show’s characters from the real-life actors who play them—especially where personal style is concerned.
However, at the premiere of Downton Abbey: A New Era, the women of Downton had the chance to showcase their own taste—and they didn’t miss.
Laura Carmichael, who plays Lady Edith in the series, arrived at the premiere in London on April 25 in a pink Giambattista Valli mini that might be best described as a reverse mullet dress: party in the front, business in the back. Stylist Leigh Keates gave the actor a blowout, while makeup artist Valeria Ferreira gave her a subtle glow.
Carmichael’s onscreen sister, Michelle Dockery, went in a more modest direction, arriving in a cape dress from Valentino featuring a shower of silver beading from shoulders to ankles. The actor, who plays Lady Mary, kept her chin-length bob in in loose waves, and punctuated the look with bold matte red lip.
Elizabeth McGovern, who plays the American matriarch of the series, Cora, arrived in a black Azzi & Osta gown with a thigh-high slit. The cut of the dress put her strappy heels on display while she took strides down the red carpet. The contrast of her bold, crystal-embellished bodice and the draped sleeves gave the dress a modern feel, while the bow at the waist added an elegant finishing touch. Stylist Bethany Long pulled McGovern’s silver hair into a tight updo with face-framing sideswept bangs.
Downton Abbey: A New Era premieres in the United Kingdom on April 29 and in the United States on May 20.
