Dakota Johnson Trades Sheer Sparkle for a Backless Black Gown on the ‘Verity’ Press Tour

Dakota Johnson’s red carpet appearances for ‘Verity‘ have become a fashion event of their own. Working with longtime stylist Kate Young, she has used the press tour to show off some of her boldest looks. Young has previously explained that Johnson gravitates toward the shiny side of fashion, a taste rooted in watching her mother, Melanie Griffith, wear glittering gowns.

The tour has moved through a steady progression of looks. In London on Sept. 24, Johnson arrived at the UK gala screening in an ivory Colleen Allen lace gown with black Fleur du Mal lingerie underneath. At the VMAs, she wore a custom blush Calvin Klein gown, and at the New York premiere on Sept. 29 she stunned in a custom white Calvin Klein Collection two-piece covered in crystal fringe with a high-slit skirt.

Now there is a very different look to talk about. A new photo was posted of Johnson, showing her in a floor-length black halter gown with a dramatically open back. In one frame she stands in profile, bangs falling across her face, while in the other she sits on a set with a blue backdrop, a silver bracelet on her wrist.

Dakota Johnson stuns for ‘VERITY’ press. 📷 pic.twitter.com/OqF0ut4hRh

— Cinethology (@thecinethology) October 3, 2026

The gown is the Gia Studios Delvey Halter Dress in Techno Wool, which she wore for an appearance on ‘Late Night with Seth Meyers’ in New York while promoting the film. It features a softly draped halter neckline that flows into a dramatic open-back silhouette. The dress appeared to hang together by a single knot at the back, and it retails for $928.

A bold red manicure added contrast to the all-black outfit. Marie Claire noted that the design from the Vietnamese label was alluring, but the full-coverage front kept it appropriate for television. It is the kind of minimalism that makes the back do all the talking.

Dakota Johnson reveals she fainted on the set of “Verity” 😳 pic.twitter.com/hmTLgHLalP

— Late Night with Seth Meyers (@LateNightSeth) October 2, 2026

It is also a notable shift in tone. Earlier in the tour, Johnson leaned into sheer dressing, from the lace in London to a sheer red Emily Dawn Long backless tank she wore to a New York press event on Sept. 19. Fashion Times traced a steady move toward lighter shades as the tour progressed, which makes a sleek black gown feel like a deliberate change of pace.

The black look also arrives after a standout moment on the carpet. At the New York premiere, which was the final stop on the press tour, her co-star Anne Hathaway wore black Atelier Prabal Gurung, and the contrast made Johnson’s ivory fringe look even brighter in photos. This time, Johnson gets the black dress for herself.

The press blitz appears to have paid off. ‘Verity’ opened on Oct. 2 and grossed $14.5 million on Friday, including previews, putting it on track for a start of about $32 million and a No. 1 finish. Johnson also hosts the new ‘Saturday Night Live’ episode, so her promotional run is not quite over.

Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett star in an all-new trailer for #Verity.

In theaters October 2. pic.twitter.com/niq02J5nO5

— Rotten Tomatoes 🍅 (@RottenTomatoes) August 11, 2026

If the Seth Meyers look is any indication, she plans to finish the tour the way it began, with a risk worth talking about.

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