Natalie Portman Dazzles In A Re-Creation Of A 74-Year-Old Dress At Cannes

The Oscar winner wore a reimagined version of one of Christian Dior's most beloved designs to the premiere of her new movie, May December.
Natalie Portman in Cannes
Natalie Portman in Cannes
Pascal Le Segretain via Getty Images

Natalie Portman made her triumphant return to the Cannes Film Festival at the weekend, and turned the clock back more than a half-century.

The Oscar winner turned up at the world premiere of her movie May December wearing a strapless gown that featured a white bodice and an ornate, scalloped skirt studded with midnight blue beads.

Natalie at the May December premiere.
Natalie at the May December premiere.
Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty Images

True to form, Natalie looked effortlessly chic, with many fashion outlets proclaiming her dress to be one of the French film festival’s best. But it was actually a modern reimagining of a Christian Dior gown created 74 years ago.

Dior’s current creative director, Maria Grazia Chiuri, took inspiration from Junon, which first appeared as part of the fashion house’s fall/winter collection in 1949. The original dress was named for Juno, the Roman goddess whose Greek counterpart is Hera.

It belongs to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, though it’s not currently on display to visitors.

The Met regards Junon and another dress created that same year, Venus, as the “most coveted” of Dior’s designs.

Natalie Portman with her "May December" co-star Charles Melton.
Natalie Portman with her "May December" co-star Charles Melton.
Samir Hussein via Getty Images

“The magnificent skirt of ombréed petals, like abstractions of peacock feathers without their ‘eyes,’ obliquely references the bird associated with the Queen of the Olympians,” the institute’s website says.

Interestingly, it wasn’t the first time that the iconic design has been referenced in modern fashion.

Last winter, designer Kim Jones created a sleeveless men’s top for Dior that featured similar layers and beading. Miley Cyrus’ 2009 Academy Awards look, designed by Zuhair Murad, also bore a striking resemblance.

Cory Michael Smith (left), Julianne Moore, director Todd Haynes, Natalie Portman and Charles Melton.
Cory Michael Smith (left), Julianne Moore, director Todd Haynes, Natalie Portman and Charles Melton.
Dominique Charriau via Getty Images

While Natalie’s jaw-dropping style is garnering buzz, her latest performance may prove to be even more indelible.

May December, directed by Todd Haynes, stars Natalie as Elizabeth Berry, a Hollywood actor set to star in a true crime drama about a 36-year-old woman who becomes a tabloid sensation after she’s caught having an affair with a 13-year-old.

To prepare for the role, Elizabeth visits the woman at the centre of the decades-old case, Gracie Atherton-Yoo (Julianne Moore), who is hoping the film will shine a sympathetic light on her story after years of criticism.

"May December" received an eight-minute standing ovation following its Cannes Film Festival premiere.
"May December" received an eight-minute standing ovation following its Cannes Film Festival premiere.
Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty Images

The film, which appears to take inspiration from the real-life case of Mary Kay Letourneau, received an eight-minute standing ovation at its premiere and drew raves from critics.

“You cannot, cannot do better than having Portman and Moore front and centre with juicy roles like these,” Deadline wrote. “Watching their cat-and-mouse game again confirms these two Oscar winners are as good as it gets.”

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