Billie Piper on rebelling against beauty in her youth (2024)

Last night, Billie Piper was among the guests at Bvlgari's starry gala, which took place at the National Gallery in London and brought together the worlds of high jewellery and art. For the occasion, the actress pulled out all the stops, wearing a structured satin, vintage ballgown by her favourite designer, Vivienne Westwood, accessorised with some breathtaking Bvlgari jewels.

We caught up with Piper as she was getting ready for the big event, and she opened up about her style transformation. The actress discussed how being in the public eye from such a young age affected the way she wanted to portray herself, causing her to rebel against beauty. Now though, she has found her feet with fashion, and knows exactly what she loves.

See what she had to say below. And catch up on more celebrity style here.

Billie Piper on rebelling against beauty in her youth (1)

Please talk us through your look for the gala – what drew you to this particular outfit?

"Well, we're going with this Vivienne Westwood dress – it's vintage and a sort of blush pink colour. It's very much a gown. I guess I'm always kind of drawn to this kind of design – I think it appeals to the punk in me, but it also has this traditional quality to it. The thing about wearing vintage is that it's already got that history to it, and there's something about that I really like. I am still looking at the jewellery – there are so many amazing pieces to choose from, so we'll wait until I've got the dress on and see where the magic happens. But there will definitely be a bit of colour."

Have you worked with Bvlgari before?

"No I haven't, but in the same way with Westwood, I love it for blending classic designs with modern and bold interpretations. I think there is a really great balance of innovation and tradition, and I think the two marry quite well together really."

Billie Piper on rebelling against beauty in her youth (2)

Billie Piper on rebelling against beauty in her youth (3)

How do you decide which brands you want to work with?

"I like designers with a really strong point of view and with a great sense of humour in their work – I don't know if it's the actor in me and the passion for costume, but that is where I feel the most comfortable. Obviously a great fit is crucial and I do lean towards a lot of British designers just because I think they fit with my sensibilities."

How involved do you tend to be with the styling process?

"I always work with Rebcecca Corbin Murray – and over the years, we have really grown to fully understand each other's take and taste, and she is so good at marrying someone's personality with their style. I have such a huge passion for fashion so it we have a lot of fun. I'm really up for trying things. For me it is hard to separate costume from clothing – it does the same thing for me. As an actor, it is one of the most important parts of the process. I think it's where I feel most changed by any sort of characterisation work. I want to feel like that when I'm going out as well. So, yeah, we sort of work to achieve all of those things, and it's all it's always fun. It's fun for me anyway."

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Billie Piper on rebelling against beauty in her youth (5)

What kind of fashion makes you feel your most confident?

"I would have to say Vivienne – when I see her dresses hanging up, I just know immediately that it's going to look great. I know instinctively it's going to work for my body shape – I've got curves, you know. It also just has a huge personality and sense of fun and anarchy, I think that is why I am immediately drawn to it. I also love an oversized suit, especially on a day when you don't want to show off too much flesh.

"There is also this method dressing thing happening at the moment, and I find that really fun. When I was promoting I Hate Suzie, everything was quite loud and chaotic and slightly unhinged. Obviously Rebecca manages to reign me in because the craziness that works on film will not always be right for the red carpet, but there were elements in there."

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How has your style evolved over the years?

"I think you come to terms with things about your body as you age – I went through a phase of really wanting to hide my body and dress as a guy, and now, as I'm getting older, and my skin texture is changing, weirdly, I'm embracing it more. My style has definitely changed over the years. As I have had a public profile for most of my life, everyone has unfortunately seen those changes and some have been more successful than others. I have definitely found some good footing with it recently, but that's because I have Rebecca in the mix.

"When I got to about 18, because I'd been working and in glam most of my life, I really rejected that – I didn't want my hair brushed, I didn't want to wear make-up. I didn't want to wear clothes where I felt exposed or I felt my body was on a show. I was having really tricky relationship with my body, and so I ended up just wearing boyfriends' clothes all the time. That's just where I felt most comfortable."

What has been your most memorable fashion moment in recent years and why?

"The one that immediately comes to mind is at the Fashion Awards where I wore a custom Vivienne Westwood blue dress with the stockings, the original shoes and pearls – it just felt amazing."

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Billie Piper on rebelling against beauty in her youth (8)

Is there anyone whose style you've always admired?

"I think I would say Kate Moss in the Nineties, Courtney Love in the Nineties, Madonna in the Nineties. Okay, all of my references are from the Nineties!"

What is your ideal getting-ready set-up?

"There are always loads of people around, but I actually just really enjoy having my glam done, I really relish having a blow dry and so I try to do that all the time as a sort of treat to myself, which makes me realise that's what my Nan did and maybe I am turning into my Grandma. But yes, I am not really into getting all hyped up before a red carpet because that is just too exhausting."

Do you still find the red carpet nerve-racking?

"It is totally dependent on what mood you're in and what you're wearing. It's about how you feel within your body and your soul, and also why you're there. So many things have to come together for you to feel confident in what is a really unnatural situation – there is nothing normal about that experience. In a way, it takes a level of disassociation, which is weird but also maybe necessary. I have to think of it as some sort of performance and sometimes that works, but it can feel quite hostile as an environment."

When do you feel most beautiful?

"I feel great when I'm all glammed up, but I feel more relaxed, and therefore comfortable, probably the day after the event because I've still got a bit of make-up on and my hair has been done so it kind of just falls really well. You're not having to stand and hold and pose – you can just enjoy what's left over."

Billie Piper on rebelling against beauty in her youth (9)

Billie wears Vivienne Westwood and Bvlgari; styled by Rebecca Corbin Murray and photographed by Jason Lloyd Evans at the Bvlgari hotel.

Billie Piper on rebelling against beauty in her youth (10)

Billie Piper on rebelling against beauty in her youth (2024)
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