Few red carpet moments retain their impact quite like Gwendoline Christie’s appearance at the 71st Emmy Awards on September 22, 2019, in Los Angeles.
Stepping onto the purple carpet at the Microsoft Theater, the Game of Thrones star delivered a masterclass in statuesque dressing, wearing a custom Gucci ensemble that remains a definitive example of “divine” red-carpet fashion.
Gwendoline Christie channels divine grandeur at the 2019 Emmy Awards in a custom red-and-white Gucci gown richly embroidered with gold detailing and signature lion-head motifs in Los Angeles, California, on September 22, 2019 (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)
While her floor-sweeping gown earned the nickname “the Jesus dress” for its ecclesiastical draping and intricate embroidery, the look was anchored by a strategic choice in footwear.
Gwendoline Christie’s Jesus dress was custom-made for the actress by Gucci’s Creative Director Alessandro Michele
We just have to love how Gwendoline wholly owned the head-to-toe Gucci look. As soon as she stepped onto the purple carpet, she posed like the divine being she was, with her hands placed at her sides like a religious statue.
Gwendoline’s gown also featured gold lion-head emblems with blue sapphire-like stones in their mouths.
Close-up of one of the two golden lions with sapphire-like stones in their mouths on Gwendoline Christie’s shoulders
Game of Thrones fans interpret these details as a nod to the love story between Brienne and Jaime Lannister. The lion on a red background is the House Lannister sigil, while the sapphire signifies Brienne’s home, Tarth, also known as the Sapphire Isle.
If you are fascinated by Gwendoline Christie’s portrayal of Brienne of Tarth, you might enjoy our feature on her inspiration, Tilda Swinton.
A close-up reveals Gwendoline Christie’s gold metallic Gucci sandals, their delicate crisscross straps peeking out beneath the dramatic hem of her custom gown
The English actress towered over all her Game of Thrones co-stars inside the 2019 Emmy Awards press room. Gwendoline and the Game of Thrones cast collectively won the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series.
The cast of Game of Thrones posing in the 71st Emmy Awards Press Room as the Emmy Winners for Outstanding Drama Series
Already standing at 6’3″, Christie finished the look with metallic Gucci sandals that echoed the gown’s gold-and-silver embellishment—proof that shimmer isn’t only about height, but about harmony and proportion (see our guide to styling metallic shoes and our roundup of silver and gold heels worn on the red carpet).
Gucci gold metallic crisscross-strap sandals featuring slender ankle straps and a sleek stiletto heel, priced at $890
Gwendoline Christie’s fashion choices consistently captivate audiences, blending elegance with bold statements. Beyond her iconic Gucci ensemble at the 2019 Emmy Awards, she has showcased a range of remarkable looks.
Notably, at the 2019 BFI London Film Festival, she mesmerized in an Iris van Herpen Haute Couture dress paired with Christian Louboutin ‘Alminetta’ red suede pumps, highlighting her affinity for avant-garde fashion.
Additionally, at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, Gwendoline embraced a fresh aesthetic in a floral-print silk dress from Fendi’s Spring 2017 collection, complemented by striped leather pumps, demonstrating her versatility and keen fashion sense.
At the 2026 BAFTA Gala, she once again embraced her signature statuesque style, this time grounding a sharply tailored look with sleek black boots that reinforced her preference for strong, architectural footwear. Whether in ethereal Gucci sandals or polished boots, Christie consistently proves that her shoe choices are as intentional and impactful as the fashion statements they support.