Ayo Edebiri Brought Some Glamour in Chanel Fringe Bustle at the 70th BFI Film Festival

Published: October 14, 2026 Last Updated 36 minutes ago by Evelyn Adenike

Few red-carpet moments achieve both meticulous refinement and playful subversion. 

On October 12, 2026, at the 70th BFI London Film Festival, Ayo Edebiri exemplified this balance.

For the screening of her new film Clarissa, the Emmy-winning actress and Chanel ambassador wore a two-piece ensemble from Matthieu Blazy’s Spring/Summer 2026 Haute Couture collection, embodying the phrase “business in the front, party in the back.” 

The ensemble demonstrated controlled drama. From the front, it featured a clean, streamlined silhouette: a cream sleeveless tank top with cascading fringe ending in a single layer of black trim, layered over a sleek black midi pencil skirt. The proportions were precise, the lines sharp, and the effect polished and intentional. 

When Edebiri turned, the back of the top revealed a dramatic, voluminous bustle of feather-like fringe. Layers of shredded fabric created texture and movement, referencing Victorian dress while remaining modern. A column of jeweled buttons ran down the spine, adding intricate detail for those who looked closer. 

The look was described as a “fashion mullet” and a true plume, rather than a simple peplum.

It had a mythological quality, as if Edebiri might take flight. Stylist Danielle Goldberg kept accessories minimal to highlight the garment: simple black sandal heels (possibly Aquazzura) and Chanel pendant earrings with red and green accents.

The hand-blown glass Métiers d’Art earrings, featuring jade green posts and carnelian ornaments, added a vibrant pop of color to the monochrome palette. 

This was not a typical red-carpet choice. The piece was Look 35 from Blazy’s Spring/Summer 2026 Haute Couture debut for Chanel, a collection inspired by lightness, poetry, and transformation.

Set in a garden-like space with pink willows and large mushrooms, the show drew on a Japanese haiku about a bird on a mushroom and explored metamorphosis. 

Women in the collection appeared to transform into birds—pigeons, herons, cockatoos, and others—through feathers, raw threads, embroidered plumage, and wing-like designs. Blazy has expressed a desire to bring poetry, beauty, and joy as a remedy to challenging times, and this look brought that vision to the red carpet with theatrical yet wearable style. 

Edebiri’s appearance continued her successful tenure as a Chanel ambassador under Blazy’s creative direction. Since joining Chanel, Blazy has infused the brand’s classic codes with whimsy, modernity, and a sense of wonder. Edebiri has embraced this vision in her recent appearances, including other couture looks on the Clarissa press tour.

Her ability to wear volume and texture without being overshadowed has become a signature, balancing extravagance with precision. Comparisons to other notable bustle or tail moments, such as Carrie Bradshaw’s Sex and the City look, or Zendaya’s Vivienne Westwood set, highlight how rare it is to execute this silhouette with such ease and elegance. 

The occasion added significance.

Clarissa, directed by Arie and Chuko Esiri, is a Lagos-set reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway.

Sophie Okonedo stars as the adult Clarissa, with India Amarteifio as her younger self. Edebiri plays Sally, alongside Nikki Amuka-Bird, David Oyelowo, Toheeb Jimoh, and others.

The film premiered at Cannes and TIFF and is set for limited release on December 11, 2026, via Neon. Edebiri’s red-carpet appearance with Okonedo highlighted the film’s festival success and the importance of adapting Woolf’s narrative to contemporary Nigeria. 

Beyond the garment itself, the moment reflected broader trends. Feathers and feather-like textures have become prominent in recent couture seasons, appearing in sculptural and lightweight forms.

Edebiri’s choice showed how runway concepts, especially those focused on storytelling and transformation, can translate effectively to real-world events with confident styling.

Restrained accessories kept the look sophisticated, while the earrings’ color and the cream-black contrast kept it polished and camera-ready. 

In a competitive awards season, Edebiri’s Chanel appearance stood out for its intelligence and charm. The look was conceptual yet wearable, historical yet modern, and joyful yet sophisticated.

By mastering a challenging silhouette, she marked another high point in her evolving fashion story, defined by curiosity, collaboration with Chanel, and a willingness to embrace the unexpected.

The fringe bustle may become a modern red-carpet highlight, showing that volume, texture, and a playful touch still matter.

As Blazy continues to shape Chanel with poetry and creativity, Edebiri stands out as a leading interpreter of his vision on the world’s red carpets. 

Photo: Getty Images