If you grew up in the 80s, you’ll remember one glamour icon who stood head and padded shoulders above them all: Joan Collins in Dynasty. Spilling barbs from blood-red lips, sending killer stares from her smokey eyes and knocking men dead with her spiky lashes, Alexis Colby was one hell of a woman.
So it was utterly delicious to see Dame Joan, 92, bringing back echoes of her villainous vamp for the red carpet last night.
Appearing at the Cannes Film Festival, Joan was on duty to promote her role as Wallis Simpson in upcoming biopic My Duchess. However, her sweeping arrival brought back flashbacks to a different figure from the past, right down to the striking silhouette of her Stéphane Rolland gown.
Dripping in jewels, the glamorous actress waved a glove-clad hand at the cameras as she posed alongside husband Percy Gibson outside the Palais des Festivals.
Joan’s glam, courtesy of her makeup artist Alyn Waterman, was a fabulous blend of modern day and vintage glamour. Admittedly, the jet-black swept-up hair leaned more closely into her role as the controversial Duchess, although Alexis was no slouch when it came to a statement up-do either.
Joan’s makeup, though, was a brilliant respin of her look on the glitzy US soap, and immediately had us trawling the 80s archives.
Her Cannes glam had almost as much drama as Alexis’s storylines, with feline flicks, dangerously long lashes, purple smoked-out eyeshadow and immaculately-arched brows that were only missing a purred put-down from those glossy red lips.
Bringing the look bang up to date, Alyn had opted for a satiny base and glowy blusher to showcase just how incredible Joan is looking at 92.
Posting a video of the look on his Instagram, Alyn writes, ‘A pleasure and honour @joancollinsdbe to get you ready for your red carpet event’.
Joan’s admirers wasted no time flooding the comments section with praise for her iconic new look. ‘Absolutely sensational ❤️❤️🔥🔥👏👏,’ wrote celebrity stylist Arabella Boyce, who regularly works with other ageless icons, such as Celia Imrie.
Bravo, Joan – it may be four decades since Alexis toppled from a balcony in that final Dynasty cliff-hanger, but we’re loving the reminder of our favourite Denver diva.
