Gillian Anderson on her style: ‘The Seventies might be my favourite decade’

At the Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year Awards, the red carpet leaned into Seventies silhouettes, disco glamour and luxe finishes.

Anderson’s presence on a red carpet has long been associated with daring fashion.

In 2001, she wore a long-sleeve dress by Eduardo Lucero to the Vanity Fair post-Oscar party, accessorising the low-cut back with a mesh thong and sunglasses. She later donated the dress to charity for auction.

On the carpet, Anderson, 57, spoke about the relationship between fashion and performance – how clothing can shape a character or, at times, resist her.

“Probably Stella Gibson in The Fall,” she told PA Media, when asked about her favourite character wardrobe. That role, famously, was one of sharp sartorial blouses and cool tailoring.

But her latest project surprised even her. “I’ve just finished something for Channel 4 called Trespasses, set in the Seventies, and I play an active alcoholic.

“Her clothes were really – a lot of polyester, patterns, tunics, things I’d never in a million years wear myself.”

The character’s wardrobe, she said with a soft laugh, made her warm to the decade: “I think it might be my favourite [decade] now.”

It felt fitting. The evening’s looks suggested a collective leaning towards that era of glam: fluid, louche, lived-in and glamorous.

“I love being able to show personality,” she said of her look. “It’s different from the pitch – I don’t always get to wear this so I had to bring it out tonight,” she laughed.

“I love a trackie, me, but I love to glam up and put my heels on.”

Spice girl Mel C, 51, who presented Kelly’s award, expressed a similar sentiment about evolving personal style.

The singer wore a Kent and Curwen strapless tow piece with red-stripe detailing.

Musician Jade, meanwhile, stood out in a one shoulder silk gown with a high rise slit. Her look was certainly a statement – much like the last year.

She spoke, too, about Lily Allen’s new album, saying: “I’m a huge fan and she’s been very supportive of me as well, which is lovely.”