Joan Allen: Dial "S" for Style

Joan Allen, 51, a modern Hitchcock blonde, plays it cool in a spellbinding tale of suspense, mystery, and fashion.

By Lois Joy Johnson

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It’s a shame Alfred Hitchcock never got a chance to cast Joan Allen. The five-foot-ten actress perfectly matches the director’s preferred screen heroine: graceful, serenely blonde, devastatingly composed and lethally attractive. Posing for a photographer in gowns Hitch would surely have approved of, Allen tilts her head back slightly and adjusts her elegant arm. "I’ve been watching America’s Next Top Model," she says with a laugh, breaking the mood on the set. "I know what I’m doing." Story continues…

There’s more to Donna Karan Collection‘s indigo stretch cotton jacket ($2,295) than meets the eye, like that clever halter-illusion neckline. Allen adds intrigue with unexpected accessories — Giuseppe Zanotti red silk D’Orsay pumps ($651) and Tiffany & Co. starburst diamond earrings. Donna Karan Collection raw silk pencil skirt ($895).

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Suspense builds as decolletage drops. J. Mendel‘s structured gray satin sheath ($2,800) plunges low but keeps its classy shape with a defined waist and extended cap sleeves. Allen suspects that wearing a Judith Ripka diamond and gold bracelet and Di Modolo diamond teardrop earrings will lead to a dangerous obsession, but que sera sera.

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Dramatic white accessories — a Bottega Veneta lizard belt ($990) and Jimmy Choo T-straps ($745) play key cameos, supporting the star in her Bottega Veneta silk crepe shirtdress ($2,300). H.Stern vintage diamond flower earrings. Stephen Dweck cognac stone and diamond cuff.

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The lady vanquishes in Luisa Beccaria‘s floaty silk chiffon dress ($2,400) accented by Van Cleef & Arpels diamond flower brooch. That Deborah Lippman Collection nail polish in dark sexy Round Midnight and Gucci‘s diamond pave ring are pure sabotage.

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Allen has deja all over again in Donna Karan Collection, this time in a sexy stretch silk wrap shirt ($2,495) and raw silk pencil skirt ($895). Is this shaping up to be a thrilling plot, or is it vertigo we feel from the double strand of Gabrielle Sanchez South Sea pearls and Cartier‘s irresistible diamond ring?

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Shadow of a doubt: Allen confesses to a terrifying moment of indecision — "Should I take the Baume & Mercier watch in gold or silver?" — but the Oscar de la Renta demure stretch cotton suit ($2,690) makes the heist easy. Cole Haan woven leather clutch ($295). Nicole Farhi leather belt ($265). Tiffany & Co. gold bracelet and earrings.

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The thief is caught wearing a Reem Acra chiffon gown ($4,725) in a notoriously beautiful shade of violet. The giveaway? Her Cassis pearl and diamond bracelet, Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co. green tourmaline cocktail ring, and Gabrielle Sanchez pearl earrings sparkling in the moonlight. Casadei sandals ($450). The jig is up.

Originally published in MORE magazine, March 2008.