Kerry Washington: Stylist Log
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Kerry Washington: Along with an extremely successful string of career boosts, Kerry Washington
became Hollywood’s it girl and her style followed suit. Along with her growing
number of 60’s inspired ensembles, Washington began to sport more and more
Stylist Log high fashion prints and pieces. The actress’s aesthetic and reputation as a reliable
red carpet hit was solidified when she continuously nailed bold runway looks.
On any given day you may see Washington with any of her trending looks:
By: Taylor Gadsden
Kerry Washington has been able to go from A Retro Mini Dress Clashing Prints
actress to style icon in less than a decade
with the help of her fearless style choices
and the presence that she brings to even
the most unconventional frocks. Though
Washington has been on the scene for a while,
her emergence as the “one to watch” on red
carpets is new. Declared by Vanity Fair as the
“World’s Best Dressed”, Washington has found
her style niche in feminine 60’s mini dresses,
bold prints, adventurous cuts, and traditionally
glamorous gowns. Before the Scandal star’s
rise to superstardom, Washington flew under
the radar in safe satin gowns in pastel colors,
complementary to her skin. Loose curls
were paired with barely there makeup and Mod Hair Dewy Skin with a
simple accessories such as thin necklaces and
bracelets. To finish off her look, Washington
Nude or Red Lip
usually sported strappy or kitten heels and
a small clutch. Washington graced many
makeup, foreshadowing a love of historically
red carpets for her memorable on-screen
inspired fashion. From 2009 to 2011,
performances but her fashion choices were
Washington debuted looks that were chic,
often forgettable or memorable for all the
glamorous, and/or very retro. At the Tribeca
wrong reasons. Both her evening and casual
Film Festival Artists’ Dinner she walked the
looks were often ill fitting and unflattering. In
red carpet in a salt and pepper short sleeved
2006, Washington began to play with texture
crew neck sweater dress with subtle sequin
and bolder colors in gowns with more fitted
embellishments. Washington accessorized
bodices and flowing or flared skirts for a more
the look with black pumps and a silver clutch.
flattering look.
Her signature fresh faced look included a cat
From 2006 to 2010, Washington experimented
eye along with and sleek bouffant ponytail
with different silhouettes, cuts, and colors.
and black headband to complete the retro
In 2007, the actress returned to her fairy Simple Pumps
look. Around this time, Washington began
tale princess style in a more whimsical and
to add variety to not only her fashion but her
textured ombre powder blue number at
beauty looks as well. She began to incorporate
the Cannes Film Festival. For the Costume
subtle smoky eyes and dramatic red lips to her
Institute Gala in 2009, Washington donned
evolving style in addition to sleek bangs and
an 80’s inspired lace mini dress with black
updos.
ballerina pumps along with her no-makeup
Kerry Washington’s Style Evolution
2004 2005 2005 2006 2007 2009
Breakthrough Awards Instyle Golden Globe Party Proenza Schouler Fashion Show Cannes Film Festival Cannes Film Festival Costume Institute Gala
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 August 2013
Tribeca Film Festival Artists MET Gala Keep A Child Alive Black Ball Black Girls Rock Django Unchained Premiere Teen Choice Awards
Dinner
Blasts from the Past: Kerry Washington’s
Historically Inspired Style Analysis Right: Kerry Washington
sports a white dress almost
identical to a popular style
of 1940’s suit. The dress has
a structured shoulder and a
small flared peplum at the
waist in order draw emphasis
and create shape. Washing-
ton modernizes the look with
bright red platform heals , a
graphic clutch, red lips, and a
sleek half up half down do.
Left: Washington walks a red
carpet premiere in a geomet-
ric midi dress in cream and
beige similar to the 1960’s in
print and the 1970’s in length.
She pairs the look with
white point toe heels, a black
clutch, and simple jewelry.
She adds to the retro vibe by
wear a matching white head
tie around a bouffant, teased
half updo.
Left: In a structured floral
cocktail dress, Washington
pays homage to pattern
mixing, popular in the
70’s and similar to the 70’s
garment pictured on the
left. Both dresses contain a
smaller floral print on the
torso and a larger similar
pattern from the waist
down. Washington pairs the
dress with a classic clutch
with leather trim, light sim-
ple jewelry, edgy bangs, and
satin shows embroidered
with glass beads. Right: Washington’s dress is
structured with much oriental
influence in mind, made from
watercolor print silk. The dress
also comes to a point at her
hips. This dress draws inspira-
tion from the orientalism of the
1910’s and is cut from the waist
up comparably to Paul Poiret’s
Minaret dress of 1913. The em-
phasis on the hips is similar to
the peg top skirt of the Edward
period.
Left: In a Calvin Klein A-line
shift dress, Washington wears
Blast From the past
a design akin to Yves St.
Laurent’s trapeze dress. Her
continued
dress, pictured on the far left,
has a higher neckline with
the same shape. The cocktail
dress also has the same idea
of texture except concentrated
along the bottom and the
back. Along with the retro
theme, Washington paired the
mini dress with white strappy
platform sandals , a slight cat
eye, dewy skin, and glossy lips.
Right: Washington dons a
peach version of a 1960’s
inspired A-line tent dress.
Washington’s version has an
almost identical neckline to
the Vogue pattern pictured on
the righthand corner but does
not contain embellishment.
The skirt is also more
narrow, similar to the orange
dress from a 1966 Vogue
photoshoot. Washington pairs
the peach gown by Calvin
Klein with a metallic silver
clutch, understated jewelry, a
60’s cat eye, a matte nude lip,
and a high bun.
Historic Style
Formal Meeting Baby Shower
For this look, I’d wanted to play up Washington’s ability to pull off mixed prints so Because Washington is currently pregnant, I planned a baby shower outfit
well. The plaid button up will be tucked into the printed hoop skirt to emphasize as my choice of outfit. I paired this 60’s inspired cross between a trapeze
the lower waist and create the shape that was so popular in the late 60’s and 70’s. I and shift dress with plum platform pumps, a simple arm bangle, and di-
paired the outfit with the triangle earrings to also add a hint of the geometric trend amond studs. The color blocking is on trend with 60’s and 70’s mod. Her
of the 60’s. The accessories are simple, not only to be careful not to draw away from
hair would be pulled to the crown of her head into a large teased bun and
the prints but to also match Washington’s style of simple accessories. Her hair
she would sport a moderate cat eye with a nude lip.
would all be pulled back into a low sleek chignon and her makeup would be clean
and fresh with a coral stained lip.Red Carpet Movie Promotion
Formal Evening
For her work event, Washington will wear the geometric crop top and
high-waisted pants above. With this mix of 60’s geometric and space age
trends, she will sport similar doe eyed makeup from the previous look.
Her hair will be down with a side-swept bang and fullness at the crown.
She will also have the 60’s “flip”.
For Washington’s formal look, she would be wearing this red gown inspired by
the 60’s as well as inspired by Yves St. Laurent’s geometric illusion dress. The
strategically placed mesh panels along with the satin and suede graphic face
pump will give Washington some height to her otherwise petite frame. The
accessories, again, are minimal but complementary to the look. The lines of
this dress will be carried on in the styling of the hair which will be straight and
worn down along with harsh eye-skimming bangs. Her makeup will be dewy
and natural except for her eyelashes which will have maximum amounts of
mascara on both top and bottom lashes for a look reminiscent of Twiggy.FuN I paired this 50’s inspired long sleeve shirtdress with a a low heel and these red and orange earrings for an understated pop of color. The fun print coupled with the structure and length of the dress would be in line with Washington’s style while also giving her the opportunity to do more literal interpretations of the decade’s style. Her hair would be pulled completely back into a curly ponytail and she would wear this brown, black, and orange scarf around her hair as they did in the 50’s. A bright red lip and dramatic eyelashes would top off this playful historically inspired look.
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