L'HISTOIRE: Angelina Jolie Channeling Lara Croft on a 2001 Red Carpet
The actor brought method dressing to life while embracing the look of her character, bringing a cool girl look to the red carpet in lieu of a big gown.
L’HISTOIRE explores fashion history moments you should know, from what actors wore on a red carpet to celebrities who made cameos on the runway. Some are unsung, and some are better known. Each is part of the fabric of today’s fashion world, be it barrier breakers or culture makers.
When Angelina Jolie stepped out on a red carpet in 2001 for Tomb Raider wearing an edgy all-black outfit instead of the typical gown, the actor was making a statement and giving a lesson in method dressing. Red carpets are a famous setting for actors and Hollywood's elite to show off their favorite designers by wearing custom ensembles or the latest runway look. While this is a beloved, longtime tradition of red carpets and movie premieres, it's fun to see something out of the ordinary every once in a while. Jolie exemplified this perfectly at her 2001 Los Angeles premiere of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.
Jolie embodied her edgy, adventurous character by stepping out in extremely low-waisted leather black pants. She showed off her lower abdomen tattoo, adding an even bolder sense of cool without trying too hard. To complement the leather pants, she opted for a semi-sheer black tank top. Although it's a rather simple look, Jolie added a bit more spunk in accessories. Her chunky black belt and sleek pair of black booties brought it all together.
Why did this work so well? It was the subtle nod to her Lara Croft character that made this outfit feel perfectly suited for the movie premiere. The art of character dressing (otherwise known as method dressing) on red carpets has evolved over the years from actors wearing costume outfits to giving subtle nods to their characters. Most recently, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo tastefully wore their characters' respective colors on the red carpets for the Wicked. press tour Zendaya is also a big fan of method dressing, sporting tennis-themed items at Challengers premiers and desert-inspired garbs for Dune.
Jolie has long embraced her on-screen characters through her red carpet appearances. For her Lara Croft: Tomb Raider premiere look specifically, she embraced the boldness and ruggedness that come with playing a role in a movie based on an action-packed video game. To achieve something inspired by this early aughts outfit, opt for a semi-sheer blank tank top, edgy leather pants, a low-slung belt, and black heeled boots. This won't help you swing from balconies and do motorcycle stunts like the infamous Tomb Raider character, but you'll no doubt feel as cool as she is.