For Lupita Nyong’o’s The Odyssey Tour, It’s Queen-Worthy Fashions Only

As one of the many A-listers starring in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic The Odyssey, Lupita Nyong’o has been in full-on Hollywood movie star mode this month while promoting the movie. “It has been a deep, deep honor to be a part of this film,” says Nyong’o, who co-stars alongside Zendaya, Tom Holland, Charlize Theron, Matt Damon, Samantha Morton, and Anne Hathaway. “Diving into Homer’s epic was a thrilling challenge. What excited me most was the sheer, epic scale of the story, and how it has resonated with every generation for so many centuries.”

The Oscar-winning actor pretty much has her pick of scripts these days, and Nyong’o admits that it was working with the film’s famed director, Nolan, that drew her most to participating in the ambitious new project. “When you get a call saying Christopher Nolan wants to meet with you, you say ‘yes’ before you even know what the role is,” says Nyong’o. “In Chris’s hands, I knew it would be deeply impactful for those of us who were blessed to be in it, and those who chose to experience it.”

Nyong’o’s specific part in the film, though, also provided an intriguing new challenge. She portrays dual roles on the big screen, playing both Helen of Troy and her sister, Clytemnestra. “I was only on set for a few days, and I relished every moment of it,” says Nyong’o. “The process of building the visual identity of both Helen and Clytemnestra is something I will particularly cherish,” she says. “Working with Chris, Ellen Mirojnick on the costumes, and Louisa Abel on the hair and makeup was full of deep research and imagination that helped me find exciting distinctions between the sisters.”

Just as fun, however, is the fashion experimentation that Nyong’o played out during the film’s whirlwind press tour this month. Similar to her co-stars like Zendaya (who has been embracing vintage) and Anne Hathaway (who is nailing maternity-glam), Nyong’o has been working with her longtime stylist Micaela Erlanger to find strong, commanding red carpet looks that turn heads at the various global premieres. “The Odyssey is an epic of grand proportions in which I get to play two iconic queens,” says Nyong’o, “so we wanted the outfits to encapsulate strength, structure, and an inherent sensuality.”

Wonder how a stylist puts together such a monumental press tour wardrobe for a work like The Odyssey? For Erlanger, who has styled Nyong’o for over 12 years now, the process begins with moodboarding, fittings, and a whole lot of trust. It helps that Nyong’o is such a fashion fan and risk-taker, too. “Lupita is the ultimate dream client, because she is a true sartorial chameleon,” says Erlanger. “She isn’t afraid of color, volume, or dramatic texture. She approaches fashion with the same courage and curiosity she brings to her acting roles, which makes the styling process feel like a genuine, boundary-pushing artistic collaboration.”

Together, the duo have pulled off many winning Odyssey moments. There was her feathered Lapointe suiting for a press day in New York, and the glimmering Armani Privé beaded gown for the photo call in Paris. “For this tour, we wanted to deliver modern sartorialism with a subtle, elevated tribute to the film’s roots,” says Erlanger. Don’t call it method dressing—it was more about finding subtle nods to the film’s Grecian goddess motifs. “Instead of literal method dressing, we focused on visual motifs that nodded to the original text without being too overt—including draped silhouettes, pale, monochromatic fabrics, and sleek, structural details,” says Erlanger. “It's about capturing the essence of a Grecian goddess, but keeping it firmly rooted in contemporary luxury.”

In New York last night, the star switched things up, and went for gold in a metallic Collins gown by Nicholas Oakwell Couture. “I wanted to feel radiant and powerful, and hopefully capture a timelessness,” says Nyong’o. “[The dress] was inspired by Joan Collins’s commanding presence in Esther and the King. I loved the texture and construction of the gown. It was crafted with this stunning metallic gold lace, sculpted over a built-in, lace-up corset that shapes the body with such precision before flowing out into an elongated silhouette.”

Nyong’o in her gown by Nicholas Oakwell Couture.

Just as jaw-dropping, was the pearl and sapphire jewelry from Sabyasachi that Nyong’o and Erlanger paired the gown with. “I wore this gorgeous five-strand pearl choker with a hand-engraved Bengal tiger pendant, and a matching sapphire tiger ring,” says Nyong’o. “Mixing that artisanal craftsmanship with the Old Hollywood architecture of the gown just felt right.”

Her custom Olympia Le-Tan book clutch, a re-creation of Homer’s The Odyssey, was another fitting touch. “For this project, Micaela and I opted to stay away from method dressing as it were, and focused instead on trying to capture how I wanted to feel in my appearances: at ease, sensual, and confident, says Nyong’o. “That said, we were definitely inspired by Grecian draping and played with a modernized, high-fashion, subtle nod to it.”

And the press tour isn’t done yet. Releasing this Friday, we have a few more photocalls and premieres to look forward to. How will Nyong’o mark its release? She is already booked-and-busy for some future projects. “I can't disclose what my next on-screen project will be just yet,” she teases, “but I am grateful to have opportunities to keep moving in surprising and vibrant directions.”

Below, see more exclusive photos from Lupita Nyong’o’s at the New York premiere last night.

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