The intersection of high fashion and cinematic nostalgia reached a breathtaking crescendo in the heart of Japan’s cultural capital this past Saturday. Anya Taylor-Joy, the ethereal star who has rapidly ascended to the peak of Hollywood’s A-list, made a grand entrance at the Kyoto premiere of "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," held at the prestigious Minamiza Theater. As the voice behind the iconic Princess Peach, Taylor-Joy has been under an intense fashion microscope throughout the film’s global promotional tour. In Kyoto, she chose to lean into a sophisticated blend of character-inspired "method dressing" and timeless red-carpet elegance, anchoring her look with a pair of white leather Jimmy Choo Minny sandals that signaled a refined return to minimalist luxury.
The choice of venue provided a storied backdrop for the evening’s festivities. The Minamiza Theater, renowned as the primary venue for Kabuki in Kyoto, served as a bridge between Japan’s ancient artistic traditions and the modern digital empire of Nintendo. For Taylor-Joy, the event was more than just a screening; it was a homecoming for the franchise she helps lead. Her outfit reflected this gravity, featuring a custom Dior minidress that was as much a work of art as it was a garment. Designed under the creative direction of Maria Grazia Chiuri, the strapless piece was a masterclass in haute couture craftsmanship. The dress featured dense white beading that shimmered under the flashbulbs of the international press, but it was the intricate pink cherry-blossom embroidery that truly captured the spirit of the location.
The "Sakura" motifs flowed across the bodice and skirt, a poetic nod to Japan’s most famous seasonal symbol. Furthermore, the silhouette of the dress was a deliberate homage to Princess Peach herself. The skirt utilized a structured, wide shape that mimicked the bell-like volume of the video game character’s classic gown. By opting for a mini length with a lifted front hem and delicate blossom strands dangling from the edge, Taylor-Joy managed to modernize the royal aesthetic, making it feel youthful, avant-garde, and perfectly suited for a high-energy film premiere.
However, for footwear enthusiasts and style analysts, the real story lay at the end of Taylor-Joy’s legs. The actress opted for the Jimmy Choo Minny sandal in a crisp white leather finish. This choice marked a significant pivot in her recent style trajectory. Over the preceding weeks, Taylor-Joy and her styling team had experimented with more aggressive, architectural footwear from Giuseppe Zanotti. During the New York leg of the tour, she was spotted in the pointed Intriigo styles, followed by the strappy Audrinette sandals for an appearance on "Late Night With Seth Meyers." Even her earlier stop in Tokyo saw her favoring the edgy, sharp lines of Zanotti.
The return to the Jimmy Choo Minny in Kyoto represented a "reset"—a move toward a cleaner, more understated silhouette that allowed the intricate details of her Dior dress to take center stage. The Minny is far from a newcomer to the red carpet; it is a seasoned veteran. Often described by the house of Jimmy Choo as a "red-carpet icon," the sandal is celebrated for its ability to provide height and elegance without distracting from the overall ensemble. The 110 mm stiletto heel offers a dramatic lift, while the minimalist construction—consisting of a slim toe strap and a delicate ankle fastening—creates an illusion of elongated legs.
The technical details of the Minny are what make it a perennial favorite among stylists. In Taylor-Joy’s leather version, the lack of platform or crystal embellishments ensured a sleek, uninterrupted line. The heel features a vertical sling and intersecting side straps that form a sharp, geometric crisscross behind the foot, providing just enough visual interest for those capturing the star from a rear or side profile. While Jimmy Choo currently offers satin iterations of the Minny in shades like Rosa and Canyon for approximately $895, the white leather choice for Taylor-Joy felt specifically tailored to the "Princess Peach" palette—clean, regal, and impeccably polished.
This footwear choice also aligns Taylor-Joy with a broader trend currently dominating the 2024 awards and premiere season. There has been a noticeable shift toward "steadying" footwear—using thin, neutral, or monochromatic sandals to balance out dresses that feature heavy embroidery, bold volumes, or complex textures. We saw this earlier in the year when Emma Stone opted for the Jimmy Choo Minny at a BAFTA after-party, and again when Priyanka Chopra Jonas chose the satin 110 mm version for the Vanity Fair Oscar Party. By selecting a shoe that is a known "icon," Taylor-Joy signaled a move away from the experimental and toward the definitive.
To complete the look, Taylor-Joy leaned into her role as a brand ambassador for Tiffany & Co. She adorned herself with a selection of the jeweler’s legendary diamonds, which added a layer of classic Hollywood sparkle to the contemporary Dior silhouette. Her hair, a striking platinum blonde, was styled in loose, ethereal waves that cascaded down her back, further enhancing the fairytale-meets-fashion-forward vibe of the evening. Her makeup was kept relatively natural, with a focus on luminous skin and a soft pink lip that echoed the cherry blossoms on her dress.
The Kyoto premiere serves as a pivotal moment in the "Super Mario" press tour, highlighting how Anya Taylor-Joy has mastered the art of thematic dressing. Unlike some actors who take the "costume" route too literally, Taylor-Joy’s approach is one of subtle translation. She doesn’t just wear the character; she interprets the character’s essence through the lens of high fashion. The Dior dress’s volume nodded to the Mushroom Kingdom’s royalty, while the Jimmy Choo sandals ensured she remained firmly planted in the world of modern luxury.
As the film continues its global rollout, the fashion world remains captivated by Taylor-Joy’s ability to switch gears. From the punk-inspired leather jumpsuits she has worn for other appearances to this delicate, beaded masterpiece in Kyoto, she continues to prove her versatility. The transition from the "edgy" Giuseppe Zanotti phase to the "classic" Jimmy Choo phase suggests a curated narrative—one where the actress moves through different facets of her public persona, much like a player moving through different levels of a game.
Ultimately, the Kyoto premiere was a triumph of synergy. The choice of the Minamiza Theater honored the roots of the franchise, the Dior dress honored the craftsmanship of the host country’s aesthetic traditions, and the Jimmy Choo Minny sandals honored the timeless standards of red-carpet glamour. Anya Taylor-Joy didn’t just attend a movie premiere; she curated a cultural moment that celebrated the past, present, and future of both cinema and style. As she continues her "strappy sandal streak," it is clear that every step she takes is calculated for maximum impact, proving that in the game of fashion, she is playing at an entirely different level. With the "Super Mario" tour nearing its conclusion, this Kyoto look will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the definitive fashion moments of the year, a perfect harmony of character, location, and impeccable taste.
