Black magic! Chanel champion Nicole Kidman is a vision in Versace, writes LAURA CRAIK

Get your news delivered straight to you by 7am - sign up to our new Morning Mail newsletter for FREESee more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Updated: 19:58 EDT, 1 September 2026 Nicole Kidman recently said in a cover interview with Vogue that she was trying to remain open to love. And going by this appearance on the red carpet, she's similarly open-minded to fashion labels.Despite being a brand ambassador for Chanel since last year - in a rumoured seven-figure deal - Ms Kidman, 59, chose to wear a black lace gown by Atelier Versace to the US premiere of her latest film, Practical Magic 2, in Los Angeles.The actress wore her long, blonde hair in loose waves and teamed the dress with drop earrings by Parure Atelier, a black lace choker and matching lace shoes.While her choice of outfit may have come as a surprise to some, to others it represented yet another masterclass from Ms Kidman in how to make an impact.The gown, which featured a fitted black lace bodice and an exaggerated asymmetric hemline, is the first to be designed by Pieter Mulier, the cult Belgian designer who was creative director at Alaïa for five years, and has previously worked for Calvin Klein and Jil Sander.To be the first to wear one of his designs is a win-win for Ms Kidman and Mulier alike.Since being appointed as chief creative officer in February, the fashion world has been waiting with bated breath to see what Mulier would do with Versace - one of the most celebrated labels in Italian fashion. Nicole Kidman wore her long, blonde hair in loose waves and teamed the dress with drop earrings by Parure Atelier, a black lace choker and matching lace shoes Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock both attend the U.S. Premiere of Practical Magic 2 in Los Angeles The gown is the first to be designed by Pieter Mulier (pictured), the cult Belgian designer who was artistic director at Azzedine Alaia for five years, and has previously worked for Calvin Klein and Jil Sander (file image)He is the second designer in 18 months to take the helm after Donatella Versace stepped down in March last year after a 28-year reign. Mulier's predecessor, Dario Vitale, lasted less than a year in the role.The seductive gown is the latest in Ms Kidman's show-stopping looks during the promotional tour for the sequel to the original 1998 film, in which she stars once again alongside Sandra Bullock, 62.At last week's European premiere in London, Ms Kidman wore a strapless silver Chanel gown with a daring thigh-high split. But in her Versace gown, she dared to bare even more, showing off her toned legs to the max.On Instagram, the dress divided opinion. 'It's giving sexy gothic witch, and I love it,' said one fan. 'Like the dress, but not for her,' said another.Whatever the verdict, in terms of fashion oneupmanship, the choice scored a solid ten out of ten.