Chopra Jonas’s first press tour outfit began by basing the look around a leather cuirass, which she actually sports in the film. “It’s handmade of leather, and took three months to make by many artisans in Australia,” says Chopra Jonas. “When I first tried it on during production, I knew instantly that I wanted to wear it for the premiere as a gown, but didn’t know how yet.” The star worked with costume designer Antoinette Messam on the piece, and she adds that many of the costumes in the film draw from classic maritime stories. “Bloody Mary’s armor had to be designed, so we thought about what a pirate, specifically a female pirate, would wear,” says Chopra Jonas. “She created this [character] that was beautiful and deadly at the same time.”
From the sculptural top, Chopra Jonas’s premiere ensemble evolved further. The star worked with her stylists Wayman and Micah to cultivate a striking final look, by pairing it with a high-fashion skirt. “They suggested Who Decides War, New York based designers who draw from their Caribbean heritage,” says Chopra Jonas. “They are so cool and contemporary, and have such an edge with design. They made this beautiful skirt to accompany the cuirass, which I think is a really beautiful combination of the feminine and the masculine.”
Photo: Caitlin Wiig
Much like her approach to dressing for the red carpet, Chopra Jonas says she loves treating her personal style as a form of storytelling. Lately, she has been less focused on looking perfectly-glamorous, and more about being intentional and fun with her choices. “I just try to have fun with it, honestly,” she says. “I think if fashion can have meaning and representation, it’s great. It should be an expression of who you are, and your expression needs to be true to whatever you want at that moment.” She views playing with fashion as a form of art—just like how acting or performing can be. “As an actor, I think about fashion as an emotion,” she says. “I try to think about what I’m feeling that day. And last night, I wanted to feel fierce.”
Below, see exclusive photos from Chopra’s premiere night.