This Optical Illusion Dress on Kerry Washington Is Pure Magic

Kerry Washington turned heads at the Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery opening gala in London on Wednesday night. The Scandal star wore an Oscar De La Renta strapless sequin floor-length gown that was a shimmery optical illusion. The metallic gown was an eye-catching masterpiece made of hundreds of tiny reflective crystals. The strapless column dress also featured a scalloped neckline and an invisible corset.

Washington wore minimal jewelry at the event, pairing the shimmering dress with simple silver hoops and sparkly rings. The Six Triple Eight producer paired this look with a middle part shoulder length hair that was effortlessly sleek. The hair was softly curled and parted down the middle.

As for beauty, her makeup consisted of a luminous look, paired with a nude lip, dark smoky eye, a soft blush, and highlight. The whole look was tied together seamlessly as Washington wowed in a modern yet timeless piece.

The BET Award–winning actress stars in the third film of The Knives Out franchise with a star-studded cast. Mila Kunis, Glenn Close, and Daniel Craig all make appearances in the upcoming film coming to Netflix on November 26, 2025.

A few weeks ago, Washington was spotted at Milan Fashion Week, where she rocked a fleece jacket and linen skirt, pairing the fashionable look with burgundy pumps. The look was a masterclass in transitional style for fall.

Washington has been keeping busy this year, on top of starring in the newest Knives Out series, the actress is also currently working on the limited series of the Imperfect Woman book adaption, in which she stars alongside Elisabeth Moss. Sometime in 2026, the Shadow Force actress will also be starring in Animals, a kidnapping thriller, directed by Ben Affleck.

On top of her acting performances, just last May it was revealed that Washington will be the executive producer on a Desperate Housewives reboot called Wisteria Lane.