How Olivia Wilde Honors Oscar Wilde Through Her Name and Fashion

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Olivia Wilde, born Olivia Jane Cockburn, changed her surname to Wilde in high school to honor the Irish poet and writer Oscar Wilde. She holds dual American and Irish citizenship. The change also allowed her to create a distinct identity separate from her family’s established name in the journalism and writing fields.

“My mother thought it was a good idea for me as well, so I could have my own identity outside of my family. She suggested I pick something Irish and something that I’d always be inspired by,” Olivia said about changing her surname.

Olivia Wilde in a Fendi Spring 2019 Couture dress at the 2020 Film Independent Spirit AwardsOlivia Wilde in a Fendi Spring 2019 Couture dress at the 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards on February 8, 2020, in Santa Monica, California (Credit: FayesVision / Brian To / WENN / Instar)

“Oscar Wilde is someone who I respect for so many reasons — a revolutionary, a comedian, and a profound thinker. I had all these reasons — but what I didn’t foresee is that people would think of it as a sexy adjective. So now it’s got a pornographic quality I never considered,” she told The Observer.

Olivia Wilde has several notable relatives in the industry. Her father, Andrew Cockburn, is a prominent journalist and author known for his political and investigative journalism. Her mother, Leslie Cockburn, is an award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker. Additionally, her uncle, Alexander Cockburn, was a well-known political journalist and writer, and her paternal grandfather, Claud Cockburn, was a renowned journalist and author influential in the British journalism scene.

Stunning at the “Love the Coopers” Premiere

What’s black and white and red all over? Olivia Wilde showed us at the “Love the Coopers” LA premiere in November 2015. She stars as Eleanor Cooper in the American Christmas comedy-drama film.

Olivia Wilde wears her hair down at the LA premiere of "Love the Coopers"Olivia Wilde wears her hair down at the LA premiere of “Love the Coopers” at The Park Plaza on November 12, 2015 (Credit: FayesVision / Brian To / WENN / Instar)

Highlighting her unusually fascinating eyes, the former “House” star wore a strapless ankle-length dress adorned with a giant red flower on the bodice.

Olivia Wilde shows off the detailing on her Ingie Paris dress as she poses for photosOlivia Wilde shows off the detailing on her Ingie Paris dress as she poses for photos (Credit: FayesVision / Brian To / WENN / Instar)

Charitable Contribution

Olivia joined the “Love the Coopers” cast as they presented a $25,000 check to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to help provide roughly 100,000 meals over the holidays.

Olivia Wilde wears an Ingie Paris dress on the red carpetOlivia Wilde wears an Ingie Paris dress on the red carpet (Credit: FayesVision / Brian To / WENN / Instar)

Fashion Choice at the Premiere

Olivia’s attractive dress is from Ingie Paris, the eponymous label founded by French-Lebanese fashion designer Ingie Chalhoub. She paired the summery dress with Brian Atwood “Tribeca” pumps in navy blue.

Olivia Wilde shows off her Brian Atwood pumps under the ankle-length hemline of her dressOlivia Wilde shows off her Brian Atwood pumps under the ankle-length hemline of her dress (Credit: FayesVision / Brian To / WENN / Instar)

Complete Look and Makeup

Olivia wore her hair down and finished her look with dark, smokey makeup.

Olivia Wilde's feet in "Tribeca" pumpsOlivia Wilde’s feet in “Tribeca” pumps (Credit: FayesVision / Brian To / WENN / Instar)

Ingie Paris Spring 2016 ankle-length dressIngie Paris Spring 2016 ankle-length dress

Get the Look

Olivia’s exact pair of shoes is no longer available, but you can get the same style in patent leather on Amazon.

Brian Atwood Tribeca Patent-Leather PumpBrian Atwood Tribeca Patent-Leather Pump, $313.25