When Rooney Mara stepped onto the green carpet at the Joker premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX in Hollywood on September 28, 2019, she did so in unmistakably her own fashion—quiet, unconventional, and deliberately restrained.
Arriving in support of her fiancé, Joaquin Phoenix, the actress once again leaned into the dark, minimalist aesthetic that has come to define her red-carpet presence.
Rooney Mara posing alongside fiancé Joaquin Phoenix on the green carpet at the Joker premiere held at the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX in Hollywood, California, on September 28, 2019 (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / Jaime Espinoza / WENN)
Rooney Mara’s Hiraeth Ensemble Redefines Red-Carpet Minimalism
Mara chose a black floral satin bra top paired with a pleated midi skirt from Hiraeth, her vegan fashion label, grounding the look with sleek black ankle-strap pumps from Dior.
While the look aligned seamlessly with her personal style and advocacy for eco-friendly fashion, the pared-back silhouette—particularly the lingerie-inspired top—sparked conversation about how far red-carpet formalwear has evolved.
Rooney Mara grounded her Hiraeth Fall 2019 bra top and pleated midi skirt with classic black ankle-strap pumps from Dior, adding timeless polish to the modern, minimalist look
We see that the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo star also made full use of the pockets on her pleated skirt and kept the engagement ring on her finger hidden in them for most of the premiere.
At TIFF, Rooney Mara’s Engagement Ring Took Center Stage
She wasn’t able to do the same at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival earlier that month. Once again, wearing a piece from her Hiraeth vegan fashion brand, she couldn’t conceal the hexagonal-shaped diamond ring in the black gown’s draped sides.
Rooney Mara in a Hiraeth black-lace strapless gown and a braided black ribbon headband
Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix first met while filming Her in 2013, later beginning a relationship after working together again on Mary Magdalene in 2016.
They made their official red-carpet debut at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, with engagement rumors emerging in May 2019 after Mara was photographed wearing a striking diamond ring.
A close-up highlights Rooney Mara’s understated engagement ring, featuring a striking hexagonal-cut diamond set on a slim, minimalist band
Still refusing to deviate from her signature style, Rooney wore her Hiraeth ‘Alma’ lace-and-crepe strapless dress with a similar black headband and the same pair of shoes.
Rooney Mara attended the Joker premiere at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival wearing a strapless Hiraeth Fall 2019 gown, finishing the understated look with the same black ankle-strap pumps from Dior on September 10, 2019
She once again finished the look with the same black satin pointy-toe ankle-strap pumps from Dior, reaffirming her preference for restrained, repeat-wear elegance.
A close-up reveals Rooney Mara’s sleek black satin Dior ankle-strap pumps, their sharp pointy toes and delicate straps adding a refined, minimalist finish to the look
Rooney Mara’s Signature Shoe Style, Beyond the Joker Red Carpet
Rooney Mara’s choice to rewear the same pared-back Dior pumps across multiple premieres speaks to a broader pattern in her fashion philosophy—one rooted in restraint, continuity, and quiet impact.
From gothic minimalism to ethereal elegance, her footwear choices have consistently reinforced her signature aesthetic, proving that subtlety can be just as memorable as spectacle.
🖤 Explore Rooney Mara’s Minimalist and Gothic Shoe Style:
- 📏 Standing at 5’3″ (160 cm) and wearing a US shoe size 6, she often opts for sleek heels, wedges, and occasionally modern flats to complement her petite frame.
- 🩰 Her clean, modern look at the Fashion Awards featuring black Givenchy “Sliced Square” Ballet Flats with a pink cape-back mini dress.
- 🕊️ Radiating ethereal charm at the Cannes photocall in Alexander McQueen and minimalist Stuart Weitzman ‘Nudist’ sandals.
- 👠 The edgy black Christian Louboutin pumps she paired with a Proenza Schouler cutout dress for The Secret Scripture premiere.
- 🎬 Channelling Audrey Hepburn with a classic updo and sleek Brian Atwood “Tamara” strappy sandals.
- 🦢 A ladylike moment with a white Giambattista Valli dress styled with classic black suede Balenciaga ankle-strap sandals.