Kerry Washington Promotes Wake Up Dead Man in Erdem Dress, Teal Opera Gloves, and Aquazzura Pumps

Kerry Washington’s recent appearance felt a bit too dramatic for an early morning show. But honestly, that’s very much her signature approach to style.

While promoting Wake Up Dead Man on the Today show, Kerry stepped out in a white floral dress styled with bold green opera-length gloves and burgundy Aquazzura pumps.

It was striking, sleek, and fashion-forward, yet somehow heavy for a morning TV show where lighter, more relaxed looks usually shine. Kerry has always leaned into statement dressing, even when the setting doesn’t necessarily call for it.

Kerry Washington arrives at the Today show in New York City on December 9, 2025, pairing a white floral Erdem dress with teal opera gloves and burgundy velvet Aquazzura pumps while promoting Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

Wake Up Dead Man, starring Daniel Craig as master detective Benoit Blanc, was released in theaters on November 26 and is now streaming on Netflix.

Romantic Florals with Clean, Architectural Tailoring

Kerry Washington’s dress immediately caught my eye for its balance of softness and structure. She wore a white Erdem Resort 2026 dress crafted in satin twill, which naturally shows creases and texture. While wrinkles usually don’t appeal to me, in this case, they felt intentional. Erdem has always approached fabric as art, and the slightly worn-in finish made the dress feel more natural.

True to the London-based house’s identity, the dress leaned into romantic, historically inspired femininity. The silhouette itself was classic and beautifully tailored to Kerry’s figure. It had a clean boat neckline, softly puffed cap sleeves, a fitted waist, and a straight skirt that fell to her mid-calves.

Kerry Washington makes a dramatic early morning appearance in a white Erdem dress with painterly tulips and teal leather opera gloves (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

On its own, the shape was clean and elegant, almost minimal. But what transformed it was the painterly tulip motif spread across the skirt.

The deep red and green florals looked hand-painted, adding an element of romance to the crisp white base. The white acted like a blank canvas, allowing the florals to stand out. It was polished, feminine, and refreshingly sophisticated!

Spring Romance Meets a Cool, Winter Edge

While the dress leaned fully into spring, her styling took a sharp turn toward winter. Kerry echoed the runway look by adding teal leather opera gloves from the same Erdem collection. Opera gloves for a daytime show are certainly unexpected, but that’s part of what made Kerry’s look memorable.

She added long silver earrings that brought just the right amount of sparkle to her look. In her hand was the Erdem “Mini Bloom” bag, priced at $1,995 at Farfetch. Made from rich burgundy velvet, it featured a sculptural gold-tone stem-and-bloom top handle and a removable chain strap.

Kerry Washington styles her hair in bouncy curls and wears radiant makeup with a hint of pink eyeshadow, blush, and lips (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

Her beauty look tied everything together. Her brunette hair was styled in soft, bouncy curls, while her makeup was radiant and fresh. Defined eyes, a matte pink lip, and bronzed skin gave her a healthy glow that balanced her bold styling choices.

Velvet Pumps That Tie the Entire Look Together

Kerry matched her shoes to her bag, creating a cohesive finish. She wore the Aquazzura “Dangerous Liaisons” pumps in burgundy velvet, and they looked stunning against her skin tone.

Made in Italy, the pumps featured pointed toes and side cutouts that revealed a hint of her heel, adding a touch of allure. Finished with 4-inch stilettos, they added height and refinement to Kerry’s look.

These pumps retail for $940 at Mytheresa, and for me, they were the perfect punctuation mark to a look that blended romance, confidence, and quiet drama.

Kerry Washington pairs her floral dress with burgundy velvet Aquazzura pumps featuring pointed toes, side cutouts, and stiletto heels (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

Aquazzura, Kerry Washington, and the Power of a Signature Pump

Kerry Washington’s choice of Aquazzura’s burgundy velvet pumps on the Today show wasn’t just a one-off styling win—it was another chapter in a long-running relationship between the actress and the Italian footwear house.

Known for balancing elegance with wearability, Aquazzura has become a go-to for Washington across red carpets, press appearances, and major career moments, proving how the right heel can quietly anchor even the most dramatic looks.