After the 2025 Emmys, Scarlett Johansson unveils a structured minimalism for her Late Show with Stephen Colbert appearance, punctuated by a bold, gleaming gold-and-black aesthetic.
Some looks are simply dresses; others are declarations. Scarlett Johansson’s recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was a masterclass in the latter. Having ridden a wave of stylish momentum from her recent press tours, she arrived in a sleek, strapless Balmain knit dress that, at first glance, could pass for an exercise in simple elegance. But upon closer inspection, it reveals itself as a marvel of structured minimalism. The ribbed knit fabric and the subtle corset-inspired seaming contour the bodice, giving the silhouette a breathtakingly sleek, tailored shape.
The genius, however, lies in the styling. Where she could have allowed the dress’s quiet perfection to speak for itself—the “Angelina Jolie approach,” as the narrative suggests—Johansson instead leaned into the unapologetic boldness that is a signature of Balmain. The dress is punctuated by the brand’s Anthem Leather Belt, its oversized, gleaming gold buckle serving as a powerful focal point. This isn’t just an accessory; it’s an architectural anchor for the entire look.
The gold motif is carried through in her jewelry, from the Sidney Garber Collana D’oro Necklace—a chunky, corrugated band of gold—to the stacked Sidney Garber Rolling Bracelet bangles on her wrist. The entire metallic effect is a deliberate play on hard and soft: the toughness of the gilded armor against the vulnerability of the strapless neckline. Her bold, classic red lip is the final flourish, a timeless detail that grounds the look in confident, powerful glamour. It’s a flawless balance of modern-day Hollywood polish and a timeless, almost warrior-like strength.
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