Calling all fans of The Handmaid’s TaleThis is for you: TestamentThe sequel, based on Margaret Atwood’s book following the events of the original, is coming to Hulu on April 8 — and I can assure you, it’s just as exciting and powerful! Starring Fresh Faces Chase Infinity (one fight after another) and Lucy Holliday, the dystopian drama follows two teens, Agnes and Daisy, who, in the halls of Gilead’s elite preparatory school, where the focus is on teaching its young girls to be submissive wives, form a bond that will change the course of their lives.
After stops in Paris and London, the show concluded its global press tour in Los Angeles with a purple carpet and a grand premiere with students from Aunt Lydia’s school. But before the festivities began, series regular Mabel Lee, who plays Aunt Vidala, one of the school’s literate and cruel authority figures who trains the girls to accept Gilead’s oppressive dogma, invited Who What Wear into her tailored suit for an exclusive peek at her glamorous Givenchy look.
First of all, what was the attitude/mood of you and your stylist Enrique Melendez Testament Los Angeles premiere?
My moodboard was very feminine, romantic shapes and lots of color. I felt like I’d been wearing a lot of black on the red carpet lately, but the joke’s on me! When we tried on this beautiful, elegant Givenchy dress, and it fit like a glove, we both knew it was the perfect choice. It reflects effortless glamour. I love wearing black, what can I say!
Tell us about the look you ultimately chose? What made it different from other options?
We chose this Givenchy gown which had a great balance of clean lines, elegant silhouette but also a little sexy with the open back. The silky fabric of the dress and the way the dress is cut looks great on the body and it is also light and comfortable to wear which is definitely a plus.
How did you feel when you wore it for the first time?
The fact that it was fitting my body perfectly even before any sewing was done was a sure sign that it was the right move! I felt like me but higher.
Any favorite details worth noting?
I love the fitted upper half of the dress and the beautiful, simple draping on the lower half. And then you have that open back which adds a little sexiness. Givenchy embodies classic timelessness to perfection.
What is your personal red carpet dressing philosophy?
I love to have fun and play with femininity, masculinity and androgyny. It really depends on my mood. I’ve done high femme looks and I’ve also done suited, punky, androgynous looks. I think I really gravitate towards adding a little edge to every look I do for the red carpet, but who knows, one day I might do a really soft, whimsical number.
What was the direction of your glamorous look? Were there any specific references you and your team looked at?
Rena Calhoun and Pircilla Pey, my hair and makeup artists, are both incredibly talented and detail oriented in what they do. I knew I wanted to keep my hair open and I had this idea in mind to play with my hair and exaggerate and highlight its volume and length to give another texture to the overall look since my natural hair is straight and silky, just like the dress. Rena and I saw the ’90s supermodel blowout references and were like let’s do va va voom! Priscilla and I were definitely looking at a lot of beauty references that we’re obsessed with. They do red carpet glamor very well. Fresh, glowing skin and then landed on this edgy yet sophisticated eyeliner.
What’s your must-have red carpet beauty product?
Mint! And lip balm.
Like tell us about being a part of a show? Testament. What did it mean to you?
I’m so proud to be a part of this Testament. It’s an honor to join the legacy of incredible storytelling in the Margaret Atwood world and follow the extraordinary TV show. maid storyOf which I was a big fan. Our show is another perspective on Gilead, and it feels really fresh and powerful.
Aunty Vidala, what did you really feel about the character you played?
Aunt Vidala is a very strict, authoritarian figure at school, second only to Aunt Lydia. I think she’s doing what she needs to do to survive in a world like Gilead. But I think what’s incredible about playing her character is her versatility and her kind of expert flexibility in balancing all the power structures of the world. The writers could have easily just written a one-dimensional type of villainous character, but she has all these layers and contradictions that are revealed throughout the season and without spoiling anything, I hope we really get to understand how she became who she is today.
The LA premiere is a reunion of sorts for the cast and crew. Who are you most excited to see/meet tonight?
This is such a dream cast and crew. Walking on set every day was a walk towards love and passion. I’m so excited to see Chase and see his incredible journey over the last six months. I can’t wait to have a little boogie with Zareen and Eva, who also plays aunties in the show. And I’m so thrilled to see Ann Dowd, I’ve got my heart set on that woman!
How did the end of your night look?
Funnily enough, Chase, Brad and I were the last ones on the dance floor talking, which I wasn’t expecting since I’m definitely an early sleeper. I was still in my heels which were killer for me, they were seriously the most comfortable heels ever (thanks Givenchy). When I got back to the hotel I had a cookie. Perfect ending.
Catch Testament Premieres April 8 on Hulu.
Photographer: andy jane
Stylist: Enrique Melendez
hair stylist: rena calhoun
make up artist: on pircilla
