As sheer dresses dominate the fashion scene this year, Dakota Johnson made a striking statement at the Women in Cinema Gala held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday.
The actress and producer showcased her fashion prowess by donning a flowing semi-sheer white lace gown from Chloé’s winter 2025 runway, embracing the current trend that has captivated style enthusiasts around the globe.
Dakota’s gown, featuring an alluring plunging neckline and whimsical frothing sleeves that cascaded to her elbows, perfectly encapsulated the essence of elegance and boldness. The skirt was crafted with delicate lacy tiers, revealing her stunning legs through its shorter layers, while allowing for an enchanting and sophisticated silhouette.
Photo: Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images To complement her ethereal look, Johnson opted for white patent leather heels and accessorised with exquisite jewellery from Chopard, along with a sleek leather bag from Chloé. Keeping her makeup natural with a subtle pale pink lip and allowing her hair to flow freely, Dakota epitomised effortless grace that evening.
The gala was part of the prestigious Red Sea Film Festival, an event that highlighted not only cinematic achievements but also the drive behind female narratives in film—a cause close to Dakota’s heart. During the event, she took the opportunity to share her journey into the realms of directing and producing, shedding light on the influence of her famous parents, Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith.
Photo: Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images “I grew up in this industry,” Dakota told Deadline. “I grew up on set watching my parents work and watching how they would engage with filmmakers, producers, and collaborators, and I always wanted to be a larger part of the project.”
Her passion for storytelling and creating has driven her to explore and cultivate her artistry, as she passionately noted, “As I moved on in my career, I wanted to make my own projects and explore parts of myself and artistry that other people weren’t seeing… we’re drawn by female-driven, human experience projects. I want to make movies about women and people who are going through some sort of evolution, internally and externally.”
For Johnson, movie production is more challenging than acting, as she added that “I honestly think producing is more challenging. There’s something about acting where I feel, I’m in a bubble, and producing, you see behind the curtain and it’s really ugly… realizing that financiers are really shady sometimes is heartbreaking.”
Photo: Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images
