No Bond girl might follow Agent 007 from one movie to another, but when she’s at it she has her moments. Exactly five decades after she rose from the sea, Ursula Andress remains, for many, the parameter by which others will be judged — a fact that the makers tried to acknowledge with Halle Berry’s orange bikini opening scene as Jinx in Die Another Day. (Stabbing Miranda Frost with a cheeky “Read That”, for some, being a more memorable scene.) As Skyfall opens in theatres this week, the film’s leading ladies Berenice Marlohe (who plays Severine) and Naomie Harris (Eve Moneypenny) have been busy flanking Daniel Craig across continents promoting the 23rd film in the Bond franchise. It’s been nice to watch — Berenice mostly in character (smoky eyes, gorgeous messy hair, vampire lips), Naomie compensating for her what her role wouldn’t allow.
At the London premiere, while Berenice Marlohe opted for a striking red Vivienne Westwood gown, Naomie Harris went for a debatable Marios Schwab number — a sheer dress with a sequinned bodice underneath. (Another Marios Schwab design — a black mini dress with a wave neckline — preceded that one in New York.)
In Rome, three days later, the latter continued her love for the sheer — this time in a teal Dolce & Gabbana lace dress. While a maroon Lanvin dress was Naomie’s outfit of choice in Madrid, Berenice covered up in coat and trousers from Ports 1961 in Berlin. The mix remained interesting for Berenice — a monochrome casual look from Alexander McQueen Fall 2012 at a day photo call in Paris, glittering Elie Saab at night, black tiered Armani gown at the Berlin premiere, and a Salvatore Ferragamo coat dress in New York. Mr. Bond, though, will have to make do with tuxedos.
