The unapologetic punk edge intrinsic to the character of older Nat in Yellowjackets couldn’t be played better by anyone other than Juliette Lewis (Nat’s younger self is played by emerging star Sophie Thatcher). The actor burst onto the Hollywood scene in the 90s, with dark and difficult roles that awarded her much acclaim — from Martin Scorsese’s lauded psycho-thriller remake Cape Fear (1991) to playing the infantilised girlfriend of Brad Pitt’s serial killer character in Kalifornia (1993). But her unique style — flapper girl glam goes camp — is what made her one of the it girls of the decade. In the 00s, she turned her hand to music, forming Juliette and The Licks and gifting the world hits like “Hot Kiss” and “You’re Speaking My Language”, as well as a wardrobe of tight-fitting lycra bandeau tees and subversive Grecian and viking accessories.
Juliette has always been an underrated star, recognised as a formidable actress and an icon of rock, but rarely awarded for it; she’s only once been nominated for an Oscar in 1992 and an Emmy in 2003. But her celebrated performance in Showtime’s dark 90s drama, Yellowjackets — a new season of which airs this weekend — has introduced her to a new generation obsessed with her innate cool girl energy. Here we look back at Juliette’s most iconic outfits of the 90s and 00s.
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At the Academy Awards with Brad Pitt, 1992
Just a few years into her acting career Juliette was already up for an Oscar: The Best Supporting Actress Award for her role as Danielle Bowden in Cape Fear. Having beaten out Drew Barrymore and Reese Witherspoon during auditions for the seductive character, the actress sadly did not win the award (that went to Mercedes Reuhl) but she did, at least, win the red carpet. She sauntered along in a heavily bejewlled gown, a flapper girl’s long chain of pearls hanging from her neck and her hair in painfully tight braids to add a youthfully 90s element… oh, and a dapper Brad Pitt on her arm of course.
At the Golden Globes, 1994
By the end of the early 90s Juliette had made a name for herself as one of the decade’s most exciting young actors, with a penchant for dark, unhinged movies. From a mistress in the neo-noir crime thriller Romeo is Bleeding (1993) to a genocidal murderer on a rampage in Natural Born Killers (1994). Her red carpet style was just as intriguing, and attending the Golden Globes in 1994 (she wasn’t nominated for anything, rather attending for the vibes), she donned a Cleopatra-esque chain headpiece with her black slip dress and strappy pumps.
At a Rolling Stones concert, 1999
She may have been one of the most exciting emerging stars of Hollywood, but Juliette could be a fangirl too. Wearing an all-black ensemble of a casual fitted tee, tube skirt, knee high boots, a wide brimmed hat and a dangling chain wrapped around her neck — it’s giving American Horror Story supreme witch — Juliette partied at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas with other notable guests — Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee, Tommy Hilfiger, Gwen Stefani and her ex Brad Pitt — as they awaited the Stones to take over the stage.
At a movie premiere, 2000
At the turn of the century, Juliette continued to bring her unorthodox style to the red carpet, wearing a one-shoulder bandeau top with black suit trousers, boots and a statement necklace to the premiere of Nic Cage and Angelina Jolie’s moto-action thriller Gone in 60 Seconds.
At a movie premiere, 2002
The 2002 movie Enough is considered an underrated thriller; the J-Lo and Juliette led tense movie about an abused wife who decides to fight back was negatively reviewed by critics at the time, but has received new love from fans for its camp vibes. Attending the premiere, Juliette chose an equally camp backless chocolate-toned jumpsuit that featured ruched frills across the chest and daringly high slits along the thigh.
Performing in West Hollywood, 2003
In 2003, Juliette ventured into music, forming a rock band with former Hole drummer Patty Schemel after attending a Blondie concert. Performing at the Viper Room in California just a year before the release of their first EP …Like A Bolt of Lightning, Juliette’s style in the band was glam-rock meets Y2K. Metallic Abba-esque lycra was used to make bandeau tops and bodysuits that were paired with low-rise jeans and incredibly 70s white boots.
At the MTV EMAs, 2006
At Reading Festival in 2005, Juliette wore a horned Viking helmet with her cut out bodysuit on stage. Continuing with the historical accessorising, at the 2006 MTV Europe Music Awards in Copenhagen, Juliette gave some Grecian Goddess energy to her usual glittering glam rock style with a daring backless mini dress made from wrappings of luxurious silk.