Jennifer Lawrence Debuts Choppy Bangs & Phoebe Philo’s Optical Illusion Gown at San Sebastian Film Festival

From bangs-free photocall to a choppy fringe reveal—Jennifer Lawrence’s San Sebastian transformation in a khaki-green Phoebe Philo illusion dress proves even Hollywood’s most effortless stars know the power of a bold reinvention.

If the summer of 2025 belonged to the bob, the fall is undeniably the season of the bang. Jennifer Lawrence, never one to shy from a sartorial statement, made that abundantly clear at the 73rd San Sebastian International Film Festival on September 26. In a matter of hours, she transitioned from a bangs-free, side-parted low bun at the Die, My Love photocall to a choppy, intentionally uneven fringe that framed her face at the premiere—all while wearing two radically different, yet equally directional, Phoebe Philo looks.

The first appearance was a study in modern minimalism: a navy Phoebe Philo top with rolled sleeves and a dramatic trailing train, paired with matching trousers and black leather sandals. The look was polished, but understated—classic Lawrence, with her hair swept back to emphasize the clean lines of the ensemble.

Then came the bangs surprise. For the red carpet, Lawrence emerged in what can only be described as an optical illusion gown—a khaki-green wool dress with padded sleeves, an asymmetrical side cutout, and a faux belt detail that played with proportions. The thigh-high slit revealed her Phoebe Philo black suede sandals, while pebble stud earrings and a Gig Bag completed the look. The dress, a masterclass in Philo’s signature architectural precision, seemed to defy gravity, its structured elements contrasting with the fluidity of the train.

But the real conversation starter? Those bangs. Choppy, slightly uneven, and deliberately styled to sit just above her eyebrows, they transformed her look from “effortless star” to “I woke up like this—if ‘this’ means a team of stylists and a genius designer.” It’s a move that echoes the Taylor Swift/Dakota Johnson fringe effect, but with Lawrence’s signature nonchalance. Paired with her Alison Lou engagement ring and Peak Sunglasses, the look felt both of-the-moment and timeless—a rare feat in red carpet fashion.