Among the celebrities who consistently command attention on the red carpet, few do it like “Creed III” star Tessa Thompson. A sartorial risk taker, Thompson knows how to stop people in their tracks with her head-turning looks. Styled by the celebrity dressing duo Wayman Deon and Micah McDonald, the 39-year-old actress always delivers bold and thoughtful appearances, as her recent press tour proves.
Thompson was particularly inspired by the passing of Vivienne Westwood, whose work infused the punk aesthetic with avante-garde glamour. Accordingly, Deon and McDonald pulled vintage Westwood pieces from the archives for several of Thompson’s appearances. They also sourced looks from emerging designers inspired by Westwood like Wiederhoeft and Saint Sintra. And Thompson had a say in every outfit. “Tessa loves to be involved and we work very well together collaboratively,” Deon and McDonald told POPSUGAR collectively over email. “We developed mood boards together and began conversations for the creative direction we wanted weeks in advance in order to make sure we had a clear vision for all her looks.”
Deon and McDonald explained that Thompson’s courageous “Creed” character Bianca influences her off-screen style by encouraging experimentalism. For example, Thompson has an affinity for high platform shoes. “Tessa loves height, and a 6-inch shoe with a platform is always a favorite because it quite literally elevates a look,” Deon and McDonald said, naming Roger Vivier, Stuart Weitzman, and Naked Wolfe as her go-to footwear brands.
While Thompson’s entire red carpet repertoire is visually stimulating, Deon and McDonald share that their favorite moments in recent history include the silver Robert Wun tent dress she wore to the “Creed III” London premiere because it “felt so cool and effortless but still had some drama to it.” She also loved the head-to-toe red Elie Saab Haute Couture look from the Venice Film Festival, capped off with Christian Louboutin pumps and a Brandon Maxwell box bag.
Clearly, the “Westworld” actress has solidified her place as a style icon, and her future appearances will continue to deliver. Ahead, bask in her best ensembles to date.
— Additional reporting by Shelcy Joseph and Corinne Sullivan
