Nicole Kidman made a major fashion statement at the Los Angeles premiere of Practical Magic 2, arriving in a dramatic black Atelier Versace creation by newly appointed creative director Pieter Mulier. Held on August 31, 2026, the premiere became an important moment for Versace as Kidman debuted the first publicly revealed design Mulier has created for the Italian fashion house.

The look was perfectly aligned with the supernatural atmosphere of Practical Magic 2. Dark, sensual and undeniably glamorous, Kidman’s custom gown embraced the mysterious spirit of the film while offering the fashion world its first real glimpse into Mulier’s vision for Versace.

A New Era for Versace

Mulier’s appointment as Versace’s creative director has been one of the most anticipated developments in fashion this year. After his acclaimed tenure at Alaïa, the Belgian designer officially began his role at Versace in July 2026. His first full runway collection is not expected until 2027, making Kidman’s red-carpet appearance an especially significant preview of what is to come.

Rather than introducing an entirely new visual language, Mulier’s first Atelier Versace creation immediately taps into some of the house’s most recognizable signatures: sensuality, body-conscious construction, dramatic glamour and unapologetic femininity.

For Kidman, those codes were translated into an intricate black lace gown that felt both timeless and contemporary.

The Black Lace Gown

The custom Atelier Versace design was crafted from hand-intarsia lace, creating a delicate but striking sheer effect over a nude-toned foundation. The combination allowed the intricate black lace to take center stage while maintaining an elegant sense of coverage.

The sleeveless bodice featured a plunging curved neckline, while the skirt was deliberately asymmetrical. One side fell dramatically toward the floor while the other opened into a high slit, revealing Kidman’s leg and giving the otherwise classic silhouette a distinctly modern edge.

The dress balanced contrasting qualities beautifully. The lace brought romance and delicacy, while the revealing neckline and thigh-high slit introduced a more provocative energy. The result was glamorous without losing the slightly gothic character that made it particularly appropriate for the Practical Magic universe.

Fashion critics quickly noted how naturally the design connected with Kidman’s character and the film’s witchy aesthetic. British Vogue described the look as being tailored to the “witching world” surrounding the actress, while other fashion publications highlighted the dress as an early indication of Mulier’s approach to Versace.

Gothic Glamour Meets Versace Sensuality

Black lace has long carried associations with romance, mystery and gothic glamour, and Mulier pushed those qualities into the spotlight without allowing the dress to become costume-like.

The nude underlay was particularly important. Instead of simply presenting transparent lace, the construction created an illusion of sheerness while giving the gown a polished red-carpet finish. The asymmetrical hem further emphasized the movement of the silhouette and gave the look a sense of drama from every angle.

It was also a fitting continuation of Kidman’s Practical Magic 2 fashion narrative. At the London premiere, the actress chose a completely different mood in a seafoam-green sequined Chanel gown decorated with draped pearl chains. In Los Angeles, she went to the opposite end of the spectrum, embracing black, lace and gothic glamour.

The Accessories

Kidman kept the accessories closely connected to the gown rather than competing with it.

A black lace choker echoed the texture and detailing of the dress, reinforcing the slightly ’90s-inspired gothic mood. She completed the look with pointed black lace pumps by Manolo Blahnik and jewelry from Parure Atelier.

Her beauty look maintained the same balance between glamour and mystery. Kidman wore her signature blonde hair in voluminous, softly tousled waves with a deep side part, while black eyeliner and a subtle rosy-cherry flush added definition to the face.

A Significant Red-Carpet Moment for Pieter Mulier

Beyond the dress itself, Kidman’s appearance carries considerable importance for the future of Versace.

Mulier is taking over the creative direction of a house with an instantly recognizable visual identity, making his first public design a moment of intense fashion scrutiny. Instead of presenting an entirely unfamiliar Versace, his debut appears to acknowledge the house’s history of sensuality while giving those codes a more refined and contemporary treatment.

The decision to introduce his work through Atelier Versace rather than a conventional runway show makes the moment even more intriguing. His official runway debut is expected in 2027, with Atelier Versace also set to return to the Paris haute couture calendar.

Kidman therefore became more than just another celebrity on a movie premiere red carpet. She became the first major public face of a new Versace chapter.

Perfect for Practical Magic 2

There is also something particularly clever about choosing Kidman for this debut.

The actress returns as Gillian Owens alongside Sandra Bullock, who reprises her role as Sally Owens, nearly three decades after the original Practical Magic. The sequel continues the story of the Owens family and their supernatural legacy, making a darkly romantic black lace gown an almost effortless match for the film’s visual world.

Rather than simply dressing for a premiere, Kidman’s styling appeared to embrace the mythology surrounding the film. The lace, choker, dramatic slit and dark color palette created a modern witch aesthetic that felt glamorous enough for a major Hollywood premiere while still referencing the magical identity of the franchise.

A Promising First Look at Versace’s Future

Pieter Mulier’s first Atelier Versace design may be only a preview, but it has already generated significant conversation.

Nicole Kidman’s black lace gown demonstrates that the designer understands one of Versace’s most important ingredients: confidence. The look is sensual without being overly complicated, dramatic without becoming theatrical and unmistakably suited to the woman wearing it.

Most importantly, it leaves fashion audiences wanting more.

With Mulier’s first full Versace collection still ahead, Kidman’s Practical Magic 2 premiere look functions as a carefully controlled introduction to the next era of the Italian house. It is a statement of intent rather than a complete manifesto—and that makes the anticipation surrounding his official debut even stronger.

For Nicole Kidman, meanwhile, the appearance adds another memorable chapter to her long history of standout red-carpet fashion. In Pieter Mulier’s first Atelier Versace creation, she delivered exactly what the Los Angeles premiere needed: dark glamour, couture craftsmanship and a little bit of magic.