The torrid affair between Margot Robbie and Chanel

We all thought Margot Robbie was finally free from Chanel, especially after the actress surprised her fans at the Governors Awards in Los Angeles with a sensual emerald green dress by Bottega Veneta. It seemed to be the start of a new aesthetic era for Robbie, away from the ruffles, dusty colors, sailor stripes, tulle, and bronze buttons that made her look like a stuffed librarian. But the nightmare is back. On the Golden Globes red carpet, the actress wore a pastel pink dress, another boring look that does not do justice to a blonde goddess all stylists would love to dress - and all stylists would dress better. Until the premiere of Babylon, the film by Damien Chazelle in which she stars and is said to have stolen a kiss from Brad Pitt during an appearance: an ice-blue vintage boudoir dress by Versace with contrasting red lace, the brand's signature bodice and Medusa-printed straps, previously worn by Carla Bruni in 1995. While half of Hollywood attended the sequin-strewn event, all eyes were on the cascade of sky-blue silk that enveloped Margot Robbie.

Margot Robbie in Bottega Veneta

Margot Robbie in Bottega Veneta

Margot Robbie in Bottega Veneta

Margot Robbie in Proenza Schouler

Margot Robbie in Bottega Veneta

Margot Robbie in Versace

Margot Robbie in Chanel

Margot Robbie in Chanel

Although as a Chanel ambassador, Margot Robbie regularly turns to the fashion house for her red carpet looks - the actress' couture gown at the Golden Globes took more than 750 hours to make - she likes to switch up her outfits. On the press tour for Babylon, she wore Valentino, Bottega Veneta, Alaïa, and many others, much to the delight of TikTok fans who greeted each of her new looks with enthusiasm and instead criticized each Chanel look with a polemical #freeher. For an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Robbie opted for a lace-trimmed satin dress by Alessandra Rich, crystal-studded sandals by Aquazzura, and a luxurious Matrix-style leather trench coat to complete the look. At the WSJ Innovator Awards, she eschewed her usual voluminous dresses and instead wore a white tailored suit by Proenza Schouler, consisting of flared trousers, a fitted jacket, and a contrasting black lace shirt. In New York, her best street style was again by Bottega: a boxy pinstripe blazer (instead of the usual Chanel tweed) paired with denim-print leather trousers, a little Matthew Blazy Trompe d'oeil, a pair of burgundy pumps on her feet and a bright green Cassette in her hand.

If we had to use a universally understood metaphor to explain a difficult stylistic impasse, we could say that Chanel is a bit like a hasty marriage for Margot Robbie (and her long-time stylist Kate Young), a decision made when she was still too young and clueless to fully discover her style. Bottega, on the other hand, is the mistress, the fascinating counterpart who can blow up a solid story with her transgressive appeal. Chanel all lace, a bit like the look your grandmother would expect you to wear when you come out of the church, Bottega is lots of leather and rich colors, a declaration of independence in a sea of virginal silhouettes. We do not know which of the two Margot will choose, but we hope she does it soon because Awards Season is upon us and the Oscars are just around the corner. If there's one thing we can safely deduce from her sudden head turns on the Red Carpet, it's that banal style is better than inconsistent style. In the meantime, let us hope that another star with unspoken style potential will soon break out of Chanel's dusty game: Kristen Stewart it's your turn.