After weeks of red carpet appearances, Margaret Qualley is finally ready to let loose. Ahead of the Critics Choice Awards, the actress, who was nominated for her charismatic turn as Sue in Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance, tells ELLE that she feels like she’s “had a second to breathe and rest” after wrapping up filming the project. “I’m at the tail end of it now, but that’s how life works,” she adds. “I just now have a little bit of time to think about it and have fun with it.”
For the big night, Qualley wore a Chanel look from the house’s spring/summer 2025 couture collection, straight from the runway in Paris. The long lavender silk chiffon and tulle dress features a round neckline and flounced sleeves, with a single jeweled button. It was worn with a belt adorned with crystals and glass beads that tied in a bow. The piece included 4,756 embroidered elements and took 500 hours to create.
In terms of accessories, Qualley also wore pieces from Chanel’s high jewelry collection. Her Tweed Perle necklace featuring platinum, diamonds, and cultured pearls sat on the other side of her dress’s embroidered collar, while her 18-karat white gold ring featured diamonds and cultured pearls. She also wore black satin and grosgrain Mary Janes with a pearl on the strap. “I love wearing a long gown because then you can wear flats, and I don’t think too many people notice,” she says.
Makeup artist Nina Park wanted Margaret to have a fresh and glowing look to match. She started with Chanel N°1 de Chanel Revitalizing Serum and Chanel N°1 de Chanel Revitalizing Eye Serum, then used Chanel N°1 de Chanel Revitalizing Foundation in BD21, and Chanel Jeux de Lumières Multi-Use Eyeshadow and Highlighter Palette. She finished off with two coats of Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Mascara in Noir and Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Les Perles Luminous Matte Lip Color in Lumineuse on her lips.
Qualley spoke to ELLE about her Critics Choice look, dressing in her 30s, and why she’s getting even more into fashion. “I’m paying attention these days,” she says.
How did you put together your look tonight?
I absolutely love collaborating with Chanel. I wore a piece from their most recent couture collection. It’s very ethereal and classic. It felt appropriate to wear a dreamy dress in a place that is symbolic of hopes and dreams. Generally, I like to wear things that feel like you can move in them and aren’t too overpowering—that you can be yourself in. I also love that light lilac color. Honestly, I really love all the purples out there.
As far as makeup goes, how much of it is influenced by the dress?
I feel like I spent my 20s trying to look like I just didn’t care at all. Now I’m 30 and I’m like, “You know what? I care. I’m happy to put in a little bit of work. It’s okay.” I want to have fun with it. I haven’t really indulged and dressed up that much, and I am very interested in leaning in.
Do you accessorize differently for an award show than your day-to-day life?
Oh God, yeah. In my day-to-day life, I am much more basic and simple and function-forward. But it’s fun to play a character and celebrate the movie and get dazzled up and try to do Hollywood right.
How do you keep busy when you’re getting ready for an event like this?
My brother-in-law is a really spectacular photographer. He was there [photographing this story] with my sister and their daughter, Bluebell. I like to make it a cozy family affair because I’m sitting in the hair and makeup chair for a minute. It’s nice if I can be chit-chatting and have some good music on and eat, because there’s never enough food at these things. It’s a really special experience, so I try to celebrate as much as I can. The older I get, the luckier I am to realize that.
What’s the best piece of fashion advice you’ve learned from working with Chanel?
In the best movies, the best pieces of art, and the best fashion, the most challenging thing to do is to be simple. At the end of the day, that’s a very Chanel lesson.
See Margaret Qualley Get Ready for the Critics Choice Awards
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.