Anna Sawai is a history-maker. The New Zealand born and Japan-raised actor and singer recently became the first Japanese actress to win a Primetime Emmy when she received the Outstanding Lead Actress nod for her work in Shōgun.
Sawai is also a Cartier ambassador and, with stylist to the absolute stars Karla Welch at her side, a minimalist red carpet maven. The 32-year-old turns out sleek and elevated ensembles whenever the situation calls for it, and her elegant takes on looks from Armani, Louis Vuitton and Dior have us paying attention at ELLE UK HQ.
She's also proved herself gracious in the face of social media adversity. Earlier this month the internet was alight with discussion of Sawai and Zendaya's gorgeous, but ultimately quite similar, Met Gala outfits. When the world tried to pit the women against each other, they took the high road, together.
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With a busy summer ahead of her (she's set to film A24's next hit Enemies opposite internet boyfriends Austin Butler and Jeremy Allen White) we sat down with the laid-back star as she gets ready for Cartier's En Équilibre launch in Stockholm.
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Can you talk me through what you're wearing this evening and what you're hoping to channel?
I'm wearing a very feminine dress by Giambattista Valli. I'm really excited to wear this because I heard that Valli himself is going to be there at the event. The dress is black so you can really see the jewellery shine. I'm wearing diamonds with rubellites inspired by bows. Bows are obviously weapons, signifying strength, but also feel very feminine - I love the balance.
My hair and make-up is very simple which helps me feel like I'm still very much myself and it's all about the jewellery. I always like to channel elegance and sophistication...and finding the balance between femininity and strength.
What is it like working with Karla Welch for your red carpet looks and how do you marry your off-duty personal style?
Karla just really understands me. She has so many different clients and she dresses everyone very differently.
I tend to wear things that are very simple in my day-to-day life. Like, right now, I'm just wearing a plain white tee with Cartier jewels. I wear Cartier jewellery every day - it makes me feel elevated and that I don't have to try hard with my outfits.
Karla understands that I feel comfortable wearing things that are a little bit less loud.
There was a time when I was about to wear something that felt like it wasn't really fitting the event. Karla told me, 'whatever you feel comfortable with' and we did find something that felt a little bit more fitting, and I felt good about it. So there's never been a time when I stepped onto the carpet or event and just felt out of place. I've been I feel very lucky to say that. Karla is very supportive with choosing things that I feel good in.
What are your off-duty wardrobe staples then?
I always travel with a white t-shirt. Karla actually gifted one to me and I loved it so much I bought a couple more. It's the 'Jackie Crewneck Tee' from Michael Starr. It's 100% cotton and cropped. With plain T-shirts I buy like two or three because I know that I'm going to spill something. Wherever you are, whatever occasion it is, a white T shirt, it's just something that you can always rely on - I like clean looks.
[As for] the jewels I wear the Trinity Cushion Ring along with the Juste un Clou bracelet which I love because it's so powerful: the nail! And then a Panthère de Cartier necklace. When I tried it on, they were like, 'not everyone can wear it and it's really speaking to you'. They're all handmade as well, so every piece is different, every face is different, and I just felt like this one was my little panther.
Who are your personal style and red carpet heroes?
It's going to be funny talking about this now, because I think everyone's aware of what happened, but I love Zendaya's style so much. I think she's so stylish, so fun on [red] carpets. She always has this amazing theme - if she's promoting a movie, then she's wearing something that's related to that movie. I think she's so cool, but then in her day-to-day life, I feel like she was she's also just a simple gal, and I really just look up to her.
I read that Zendaya sent you flowers after the Met Gala. There's such a long standing narrative pitting women against each other, do you feel that the door is closing on that old, toxic narrative?
People like to make up stories like that because it's a little bit more interesting than people who are getting along.
The thing is, she didn't even have to send me flowers, but she did because she just is that kind of person where she's trying to spread kindness, and I thought it was really cool. I wrote her a letter and sent her something back because I want to be like that.
I recently saw a video of Zendaya [discussing] when she first met Rihanna and she was talking about how Rihanna didn't have to be so sweet, but she was, and she was very inspired by her. [Now] she's doing the same to people like me, and so I just want to make sure that I'm doing the same. It's about supporting each other and uplifting one another.
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Daisy Murray is the Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, spotlighting emerging designers, sustainable shopping, and celebrity style. Since joining in 2016 as an editorial intern, Daisy has run the gamut of fashion journalism - interviewing Molly Goddard backstage at London Fashion Week, investigating the power of androgynous dressing and celebrating the joys of vintage shopping.
