On April 24, 2023, actress Jessica Henwick made a commanding fashion debut at the Shanghai Fashion Gala, stunning in a custom Dion Lee gown that seamlessly blended futurist minimalism with architectural elegance. Best known for her role in Glass Onion, Henwick has increasingly become a style fixture on red carpets—and this appearance marked a bold evolution in her fashion narrative, firmly placing her among the most intriguing style visionaries of her generation.
Designed in collaboration with Dion Lee, the silver-toned gown was a masterclass in modern sophistication. Featuring a high neckline and meticulously engineered laser-cut paneling, the dress offered a sleek, cyberpunk edge while maintaining the fluid elegance of couture craftsmanship. The exposed corset-style waist added structure and intensity to the otherwise minimalist silhouette, nodding to Lee’s signature aesthetic of combining utility with sensuality. The floor-length skirt glided to the ground with understated drama, elongating Henwick’s frame and lending the look a statuesque presence.
The metallic sheen of the fabric played a starring role, subtly catching and reflecting the ambient light of Shanghai’s futuristic skyline. In motion, the dress shimmered like polished steel—an intentional choice to reflect the energy of the city and reinforce the garment’s narrative of modernity and strength. The look felt at once industrial and ethereal, hard-edged and serene.
Henwick completed the ensemble with strappy silver heels that matched the futuristic tone of the gown. Her accessories included sculptural earrings that mimicked the linear motifs of the laser-cut panels, adding a subtle harmony to the overall design. Her hair was slicked back into a minimalist bun, emphasizing the gown’s neckline and showcasing her defined features without distraction.
Her beauty look leaned into the cool-toned palette of the outfit. A steel-gray eyeliner gave her eyes an angular, defined shape, while shimmering highlighter on the high points of her face added an otherworldly glow. Her lips remained neutral, allowing the eyes and the sculptural gown to take center stage. The overall effect was sleek, powerful, and unmistakably modern.
In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar China backstage, Henwick shared the creative vision behind the look. “We wanted to channel a sleek warrior—the intersection of strength and stillness,” she said, highlighting the balance between armor-like structure and refined elegance. She also praised Dion Lee for his ability to create garments that “don’t just dress you—they frame how you feel.” The design process, she noted, was highly collaborative, focused on crafting a look that felt both futuristic and grounded in emotion.
Henwick’s appearance was met with widespread acclaim across international fashion media. Critics praised the look for its clean lines, intelligent detailing, and tech-infused textures, describing it as a standout moment not just for the event, but for Henwick’s emerging red carpet legacy. Her ability to combine conceptual design with understated wearability has quickly positioned her as a rising style icon whose choices are as considered as they are striking.
With her Shanghai Fashion Gala debut, Jessica Henwick firmly asserted her place in the fashion conversation—one defined not by trend-chasing, but by narrative-driven elegance and modern edge. Her partnership with Dion Lee is a reflection of her commitment to fashion that speaks not only to aesthetics but also to identity, innovation, and cultural resonance.
As Henwick continues to carve out her space in both the entertainment and fashion industries, this look marks a clear point of departure toward a more conceptual, avant-garde direction—one rooted in structure, intelligence, and unapologetic self-expression.