Paris Fashion Week got a decidedly gothic office makeover when Anya Taylor-Joy arrived at Dior in a look that transformed a familiar workwear staple into something far more dramatic. Her outfit paired a low-rise midi pencil skirt with pointed black pumps, giving the polished silhouette a sleek and sophisticated finish.
But the real showstopper was a completely sheer lace cape draped over her shoulders, creating a striking contrast with the office-inspired skirt. Together, the pieces turned classic workwear into a dark glamour moment at Dior's Spring/Summer 2027 show in Paris.
Anya Arrives In Gothic Dior
Taylor-Joy wore the look on 29 September as she attended Dior's Spring/Summer 2027 ready-to-wear show at Bassin de l'Octogone in Paris. While the pencil skirt brought a relatively restrained, office-ready shape to the outfit, the sheer cape instantly pushed the ensemble into more theatrical territory.
The maxi-length cape rested across her shoulders with a slightly ruffled neckline and an open front. Its transparent fabric was covered with botanical and floral details, giving the otherwise practical skirt a distinctly romantic and gothic finish.
The Sheer Cape Stole The Show
The cape was easily the most dramatic element of Taylor-Joy's outfit, stretching from her shoulders towards the floor in a flowing silhouette. A thick black collar and subtle ruffles added further structure, while the floral lace brought in Victorian-inspired details.
The overall effect echoed the dark glamour aesthetic that became particularly visible in celebrity fashion in 2024. Rather than relying on an entirely gothic wardrobe, the Dior look mixed high-fashion drama with more familiar pieces, making the contrast feel deliberate and modern.
The Pencil Skirt Stood Out
Beneath all that lace, Taylor-Joy wore a low-rise midi pencil skirt, a silhouette that might normally be associated with corporate dressing. Its simplicity actually made the sheer cape appear even more striking, creating a sharp visual contrast between conservative tailoring and transparent fabric.
She completed the outfit with pointed black pumps, slim silver sunglasses and a backwards neck scarf. The accessories kept the look sleek rather than overly costume-like, allowing the cape and skirt to remain the main focus.
Officewear Gets A Fashion Twist
The unexpected pencil skirt choice also connected Taylor-Joy's Dior appearance to a wider return of polished workwear. Similar silhouettes have appeared across recent collections from fashion houses including Chanel, Gucci, Miu Miu, Tory Burch and Prada.
At Kallmeyer, pencil skirts were shown with polished floral prints and muted neutrals, while Prada experimented with elasticised waistbands and contrasting linings. Taylor-Joy's version took the familiar shape in a more dramatic direction by placing it beneath an elaborate sheer layer.
She Was Not The Only Star
Taylor-Joy's relatively understated skirt stood apart from several other eye-catching looks at the Dior show. Greta Lee wore pink capri trousers, Jennifer Lawrence opted for a cool blue nightgown-style dress, while Rosalía appeared in an asymmetrical black gown.
That made Taylor-Joy's styling particularly interesting because the drama came from the combination rather than from an elaborate dress. The pencil skirt kept the outfit grounded while the transparent cape supplied the theatrical edge expected from a major Paris Fashion Week appearance.
Taylor-Joy And Dior Go Way Back
Taylor-Joy has been a Dior ambassador since October 2021, first joining the house during Maria Grazia Chiuri's tenure as its womenswear creative director. She has continued wearing Dior under current creative director Jonathan Anderson, including appearances during Paris Fashion Week.
In March 2026, Taylor-Joy told WWD that Anderson was a master at creating sensory experiences and said she often left his shows with a beautiful memory. Her latest appearance delivered another memorable fashion moment, this time by turning an everyday pencil skirt into the foundation for a distinctly gothic Dior look.
