You may think of Scarlett Johansson as a classic Nordic nymph, but over the years she’s channeled many kinds of women. At one premiere, she can look like she walked straight off the set of La Dolce Vita. On another red carpet, she’s a sci-fi space queen. Famous since she was a pre-teen, Johansson has had plenty of time to fine-tune her style. See a collection of her best looks.
Yellow Fever
At the 2004 Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Ball, the theme was Dangerous Liaisons, and Johansson was classic in custom canary Calvin.
No-lita
Arresting even at the age of 16, Johansson was a quick study when it came to dressing smartly, with a keen eye for cool and some age-appropriate quirk. “There’s no reason to dumb things down just because you’re working with kids,” she once said, discussing roles that required her to act beyond her age. The actress’s first professional gig was in the Off Broadway play Sophistry, with Ethan Hawke. She was eight. In strapless black Prada at the 2000 Vanity Fair Oscar party, she had just begun filming Ghost World.
A Talent to A-Muse
In Cannes, Johansson played the muse in custom Imitation of Christ (the N.Y. fashion label for which she briefly consulted) with Match Point director Woody Allen in 2005. “It’s very hard to be extra witty around a sexually overwhelming, beautiful young woman who is wittier than you are,” Allen said. “Anytime I say anything amusing, Scarlett tops me.”
R.M., the Sequel
She wore Roland Mouret again at the Vanity Fair Oscar party in 2005.
At the Dolce Gabbana Spring/Summer 2012 show earlier this year, she was every bit the Dolce Vita dame. For a Swedish gal, she has no trouble channeling a Sicilian sexpot.
Into It
Here, the downtown blond played a Park Avenue brunette in Oscar de la Renta at the premiere of He’s Just Not That Into You, in 2009.
Back Up
This snug Marchesa cocktail dress, which she wore to the London premiere of The Island in 2005, is completely plain on the front. Not that she needs help getting attention from any angle.
Breezing In
A Marilyn tribute can trip up even the most well-meaning starlet, but Johansson nailed it (albeit subtly) with a white halter at a New York charity event in 2003. Isn’t it delicious?
Loud Clear
Lost in Translation (2003) solidified Johansson as serious, with attendant italics, which meant suiting up for a New York premiere in plunging cream Dolce Gabbana.
Green Party
A verdant vixen in Alberta Ferretti in 2004.
Johansson gave fans some extra-special effects in galactic Armani Privé at the London premiere of Iron Man 2, in 2010. Johansson played brainy legal aide Natalie Rushman and her alter ego, undercover spy Natalia Romanoff.
Tulle Time
She wore a blush Elie Saab to the Golden Globes in January 2011. “I always check in the mirror to make sure nothing is see-through,” she says.
Modern Muse
The actress has become the woman of choice for Dolce Gabbana. Here, Johansson wears a beaded, tulle confection at the 2012 Costume Institute Gala.
Flair for the Dramatic
Johansson is known for many a sexy look, including this bold Rodarte tube dress at the Hitchcock premiere.
Simply Red
This red Valentino proved irresistible to red-carpet interviewer Isaac Mizrahi, who got famously fresh with the Match Point nominee during a 2006 interview that became the fashion story of the night. Oggling may be unavoidable, but hands to yourself!
Beautiful Creature
Black is anything but basic, considering the actress’s body-conscious Versace gown at the 70th Venice International Film Festival.
Early Often
Last month she wore a subdued B W Michael Kors to a New York mayoral fund-raiser.
Match Game
In 2008, Johansson floated up the steps to the Met Ball in an ethereal custom Dolce Gabbana. In the coming seasons, she would be the face for the designers’ fragrance, lingerie, and makeup campaigns. A match made in Madison Avenue heaven.
Spot On
Johansson was easily the best-dressed starlet at the Under the Skin Toronto Film Festival premiere in a feminine, polka-dot Vivienne Westwood frock.
Marc’d Woman
In September 2011, she debuted as the face of Moët champagne, showing off Marc Jacobs’s ubiquitous polka dots for fall.
Preferential Treatment
Johansson turned into a 50s siren (courtesy of head-turning Roland Mouret gown) at the Golden Globes in 2005. “I love Marilyn. I think she was incredibly beautiful and a very underrated actress. I am a curvy woman who is blonde, and perhaps we are both comfortable in our femininity, but I think that is as far as the comparison goes.”
Laced Up
An Armani Privé white lace peplum top with black tassel detailing was paired with a high-waisted lace skirt for the Los Angeles premiere of Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
La Dolce Vita
A flirty medallion-print Dolce Gabbana dress was locale appropriate for the Her premiere at the eighth-annual Rome Film Festival.
