In recent years, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has established herself as a key player in the minimalist, tonal fashion space. As the look has become mainstream, the British model has become the face of the movement, much imitated, much emulated.
The RHW palette is one of immaculately kept cream and quiet luxury's favourite camel, but it's been grey that of late has become her favourite shade, proving that it is far from dowdy and with the potential to be far from boring.
Consider first the knit set she wore to the Valentino show. A long-time friend of the brand, Huntington-Whiteley was amongst those first to arrive at the Paris venue in an all-grey look, offset with white accessories. On paper, her choice of a soft-touch two-piece in an ashy grey hue might have spoken of a Sunday on the sofa, but the reality and execution was miles away (at one of Paris' most elegant shows to be precise).
Her two-piece was decorated with design details that elevated it to befit her surroundings with her cropped-knit sweater matching with the daring cut-out, bow-embellished pencil skirt. In classic RHW fashion, her hair was styled in sleek golden waves and she wore a suite of gold jewellery.
But it was her second use of grey, later that night, that proved more interesting. Grey has long been disregarded or even slated (we know, sorry!) for its mid-tone hue that's neither here or there, best known for jogging bottoms and existing in the ether between plain and ordinary, but here was Huntington-Whiteley embracing the hue to quieten her otherwise dazzling ensemble.
The mother of two wore another matching set, but this time it was one comprised of beading, embellishment and a run of marabou feathers. Worn alone, it would have been a glitzy statement that might have felt enough for some celebrities, but Huntington-Whiteley knows that adding more can often give less, in a good way. So, it was another look to grey, this time with an oversized shirt that she languidly threw over to give a laissez-faire edge to her otherwise hyper-glam outfit.
As well as proving her ever-elegant positioning, Huntington-Whiteley also made us rethink on grey. No longer reserved for the perfectly granny-like cardigan (worn à la Miu Miu) or sweats, she proves a touch of slate, charcoal or ash can be perfect employed to give a knowing sense of the pared back to take a look into an entirely new direction.
Shop the best grey pieces here to follow's Rosie's lead.
Gucci Horsebit Bag
COS Tailored Wool Skort
Mango Knit Sweater
The Row Grey Poplin Shirt
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