The Barbenheimer phenomenon catapulted two summer movies to blockbuster success, highlighting the divergent paths of their female characters. In Greta Gerwig’s vibrant creation, Margot Robbie portrays the stereotypical Barbie, abandoning the plastic perfection of her Malibu Dreamhouse for the unpredictable freedoms of the real world.
Meanwhile, in Christopher Nolan’s biopic, Emily Blunt breathes life into Kitty Oppenheimer, the wife of the so-called American Prometheus. Unlike Barbie’s transformation, Kitty remains metaphorically confined to a box, shifting from a biologist to the roles of wife and mother, experiencing unfulfillment and frustration against the constraints of womanhood during that era.
Emily Blunt (Credits: Getty Images)
In a video discussing her Oppenheimer performance, which has earned her numerous best-supporting-actress nominations, Blunt describes Kitty as a “really brilliant brain that kind of went to waste at the ironing board, and she suffered for it.”
At the Critics Choice Awards 2024, Blunt, adorned in a stunning Giorgio Armani Privé dress, radiated a bombshell effect with red paillettes glowing like fire under the lights. Stylist Jessica Paster, reflecting on the ensemble, explains they aimed for a modern twist on Old Hollywood, capturing the essence of the ’40s and ’50s.
Paster had an instant connection with the one-shoulder Giorgio Armani Privé look when it appeared on the runway in July, securing it for Blunt without a specific event in mind at the time. The dress not only complements the movie’s historical setting but also exudes femininity and strength.
Makeup artist Jenn Streicher, in pursuit of the perfect red shade, swatched numerous lipsticks, ultimately choosing Chanel’s 31 Le Rouge in Rouge Privé. Blunt’s captivating persona, blending humor, intellect, and warmth, contributes significantly to the allure of her red-carpet presence.
Streicher, along with hairstylist Laini Reeves, form a cohesive team that has been in sync since the 2007 awards season following The Devil Wears Prada. Streicher recalls her connection with Blunt, noting that John Krasinski, Blunt’s husband, humorously claims she was “stolen” from him. The red shoes complementing the ensemble are by Alexandre Birman and Reeves, using the hair-health line Burgeon, which skillfully secures rosette-like buns.
