Hari Nef is the moment. Since breaking through with 2014 dramedy series Transparent, the model-turned-actor has become a big — and small — screen sensation, starring in some of this decade’s buzziest television shows — You, And Just Like That, and The Idol — and, of course, 2023 billion dollar blockbuster, Barbie.
Before the big screen, Hari was a bonafide New York It-girl. In 2015, she made her runway debut with Eckhaus Latta and Hood by Air, and subsequently became the first openly trans woman to sign with IMG. Since, she’s played muse to designers J.W. Anderson and Alessandro Michele, appeared on the cover of Elle, and faced a blue chip beauty campaign or two. Oh, and she’s also consistently one of NYFW’s best-dressed (both on and off the runway).
A true fashion girl at heart, Hari’s red carpet style is always a little avant-garde. It’s glam and elegant, but also directional, elevated, something slightly off-kilter. Take the knife-embellished Dilara Fındıkoğlu dress she wore to the premiere of Barbie. Or the bizarro Loewe balloon heels she donned at last year’s BoF gala. And, I mean, who else could pull off a Maison Margiela moment at the SAG Awards? Here, in the wake of Hari’s iconic turn in Barbie, we look back at some of the actor and fashion icon’s most iconic outfits ever.
At the SAG Awards, 2016
In 2015, Hari made her acting breakthrough on Amazon dramedy Transparent, where she played Gittel, a transgender woman living in 1930s Berlin. The performance earned her a SAG nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. To the awards show, Hari turned a look that only a seasoned It-girl could: this corseted gown by Maison Margiela. After the ceremony, Hari dubbed the look “tater” chic; “I was proud to serve potato.”
At the CFDA Awards, 2016
Just two years after signing with IMG, Hari landed her first blue chip campaign as the face of Gucci’s new fragrance. Though the campaign was a milestone for both Hari and Gucci, it didn’t mark the beginning of their creative partnership. Prior to Bloom, creative director Alessandro Michele had dressed Hari for the 2016 CFDA Awards. The embellished seafoam gown was pulled from the house’s AW16 collection and, according to Hari, was giving Flowers in the Attic.
At the Met Gala, 2019
Evidently, Hari’s a Gucci girl through and through. So much so, that the actress donned one of the Italian house’s maximalist confections to her very first Met Gala in 2019.
At the And Just Like That premier, 2021
In 2021, Hari landed a role in the much-anticipated Sex and the City reboot, And Just Like That. At the series’ premiere, she channeled Patricia Field levels of glam in a fringed gown by Ami Paris.
At the BoF 500 Gala, 2022
As part of the Fashion Tumblr diaspora, it’s no surprise that Hari likes to get a little weird with it when it comes to red carpet looks. And what’s weirder and more wonderful in today’s fashion landscape than Jonathan Anderson’s Loewe? In 2022, the actress wore this head-to-toe ensemble from the label’s AW22 collection, which included a “windswept” leather minidress and those balloon heels. Of course, Hari’s no stranger to the wunderkind designer’s wacky vision: earlier that year, she served as the face of Jonathan’s eponymous label.
At Cannes Film Festival, 2023
Every It-girl has her naked dress moment. This is Hari’s. The actress wore this ethereal Fendi number on the Cannes red carpet to celebrate the premiere of Summer 2023’s buzzy The Idol.
At the Barbie premier, 2023
Hari’s no stranger to a bold red carpet moment. And for summer blockbuster Barbie, she brought her boldest. To the film’s European premiere, the star wore the show-stopping, knife-embellished finale look from Dilara Fındıkoğlu’s AW23 collection. Looking sharp.