The Fashion Evolution of Dakota Johnson: From Red Carpet Kid to Hollywood Hot Shot
1/36With one flawless red carpet moment after the next, Dakota Johnson is a fashion force to be reckoned with. And it’s really no surprise, considering her mom is actress Melanie Griffith and her grandmother is classic style icon and Hitchcock star Tippi Hedren.
But while her family epitomizes Old Hollywood chic, Dakota likes to take a more modern approach. Whether at an event or hanging out off-duty, Dakota is a true downtown girl who’s just as likely to show up in a silver sequin gown (seriously, she has a few) as she is a sundress and sneaks. But it’s her ability to switch back and forth that’s turned her from silver screen star to full-blown style star.
Dakota got her start at just nine years old appearing in a movie with her mom before going on to star in 21 Jump Street, How to Be Single, and, yep, Fifty Shades of Grey, so this whole red carpet thing is nothing new. Click ahead to see how her style has transformed over the years — and prepare for some major throwbacks along the way.
Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage2/36May 1999
We’ll give you a minute to get over nine-year-old Dakota’s head-to-toe velvet look. Are you ready? Okay. Even at a super young age, Dakota radiated confidence. All she needed was pulled-back hair, a super ‘90s, super cute purple look, and a sly smile to take over the Star Wars Episode I premiere.
Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage3/36November 2001
The ‘90s looks continue! Dakota looked super hip channeling Clare Danes circa My So Called Life in ivory flares and square toed boots heading to the premiere of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (lucky!) with dad Don Johnson.
Photo: Theo Wargo/WireImage4/36August 2003
Dakota opted for a mesh tank, pin striped pants, and double braids while taking her half-sister to the premiere of Cheetah Girls. After all, what are big sisters for?
Photo: Chris Polk/FilmMagic for Variety Magazine5/36April 2007
Dakota’s style may be simple and sleek these days, but she definitely went through a layering phase. Boots, a belt, tights, and shaggy hair? Boho chic at its best.
Photo: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage for Van Wyck & Van Wyck6/36November 2008
Dakota didn’t just inherit a knack for acting from her grandmother, she scored a natural sense of style, too. The actress looked classic and elegant in this lace dress, fuzzy coat, and timeless gold shoes.
Photo: Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic7/36November 2011
There’s nothing more classic than a sleek black suit! Dakota’s bow tie at the 2011 MOCA Gala? Just icing on the cake.
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage8/36April 2012
A matching ivory dress, coat, and shoes made up the perfect look to show off Dakota’s brighter blonde ‘do. She’s the queen of straight-across bangs after all, so why not flaunt it?
Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage9/36September 2012
With her signature bangs, an asymmetric red dress, and tall nude platform sandals, Dakota was anything but blending in at FOX’s Fall party in 2012.
Photo: Albert L. Ortega/WireImage10/36January 2013
The actress gave a fun flirty dress a cold weather update with black tights and shoes for a winter press tour. Dakota Johnson — she’s just like us!
Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images11/36June 2013
Dakota dyed her hair a super dark brown the summer of 2013. A wide brim hat and black and white tuxedo jacket were all she needed to take her new rock ’n’ roll vibe to the next level.
Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic12/36August 2013
Every budding actress needs an LBD moment. Dakota paired hers with a cool leather bag, sculptural black pumps, and a messy ponytail for a contemporary take on a timeless classic.
Photo: Donato Sardella/WireImage13/36October 2013
A midi periwinkle dress and silver pumps made up the perfect outfit for a CFDA Vogue luncheon in L.A.
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage14/36November 2013
Dakota has been in the spotlight for most of her life, but it seriously intensified in 2013 when her role in Fifty Shades of Grey was announced.
Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage15/36May 2014
The annual Met Gala is all about glamour — and Dakota delivered in this navy Jason Wu gown. Elbow-length gloves added an extra oomph, while her messy bangs kept the look young and fun.
Photo: David Krieger/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images16/36May 2014
Hanging out in New York, Dakota nailed summertime chic in a printed sundress, straw hat, and comfy pointed flats.
Photo: Dominique Charriau/WireImage17/36July 2014
Dakota loves a rock ’n’ roll look. Wearing head-to-toe black leather and big sunglasses, the star easily stood out from the tweed-loving crowd at the Chanel Fall 2014 show.
Photo: Alessio Botticelli/GC Images18/36__ July 2014__
We’re not sure what we’re more envious of in this pic: Dakota’s long dress, white loafers, leather backpack, or healthy green smoothie. You know what, we’ll just take one of each.
Photo: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic19/36November 2014
Another day, another gala — if you’re Dakota Johnson, that is. The star looked super sleek in a cream Gucci dress and not an accessory in sight.
Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images20/36January 2015
Dakota was impossible to miss at the 2015 Golden Globes in this silver Chanel dress.
Photo: Samir Hussein/WireImage21/36February 2015
2015 was without a doubt Dakota’s year. Fifty Shades of Grey came out and she had tons of appearances (not to mention, excuses to wear stunning gowns). This white Saint Laurent number, paired with a dark oxblood lip, was just one of many wins.
Photo: Raymond Hall/GC Images22/36February 2015
Even on her off days, Dakota kills it. Can we talk about this fluffy sweater-leather skirt combo?
Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images23/36February 2015
Dakota made an appearance in yet another silver dress for SNL’s 40th Anniversary Celebration, completing the look with a fluffy coat and silver strappy sandals.
Photo: Dan MacMedan/WireImage24/36February 2015
Dakota truly shined at the 2015 Oscars. She matched her lipstick to her bright red Saint Laurent gown, tied her hair up in a ponytail, and added the cool, unexpected twist of a glossy black mani.
Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images25/36March 2015
Tuxedos have never looked as cool as this jumpsuit version Dakota wore to the Christian Dior Fall 2015 show.
Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic26/36May 2015
Dakota showed off a new cropped ‘do in a Chanel couture minidress at the 2015 Met Gala.
Photo: Getty Images for Gucci27/36September 2015
Dakota’s always sitting front row at the biggest fashion shows — so it’s important to look the part. She easily turned heads at Gucci in this flirty maroon dress.
Photo: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage28/36November 2015
Dakota was clearly still into the boho look in 2015 — only she became a little more sophisticated and cut way down on accessories.
Photo: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage29/36November 2015
This yellow Gucci dress was a serious show stopper at the 2015 LACMA Art + Film Gala.
Photo: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images30/36January 2016
Dakota wore another amazing Gucci dress for an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Was it the best dress ever? We think so.
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images31/36February 2016
How to Be Single was another major hit for Dakota. Appropriately, she dressed the part in a star-studded gown by one of her favorite designers, Saint Laurent.
Photo: Paul Zimmerman/WireImage32/36February 2016
Dakota can rock a gown like no other, but her more casual looks sparkle, too. The star dressed up a plain pair of black trousers and strappy sandals with a crisp off-the-shoulder blouse and a smooth updo — and she was ready to go.
Photo: Mike Marsland/WireImage33/36February 2016
She can make even the most classic outfits look cool. For the BAFTA nominees party in London, she added sheer black tights and silver sandals to a Chanel tweed dress — instantly transforming the entire look.
Photo: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images34/36February 2016
There’s no better way to stand out than in a metallic gold gown. Dakota didn’t disappoint at the How to Be Single European premiere.
Photo: Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage35/36February 2016
The actress stunned in a red gown (and perfectly matched red lip) at the EE British Academy Film Awards in London. If you’re looking for prom inspiration, look no further than here.
