Every Chic Look Hermione Corfield Wore to Promote the Outlander Prequel
When I spoke with Hermione Corfield, she was in the middle of a whirlwind press tour for Outlander: Blood of My Blood, the highly anticipated prequel to Starz’s hit series. In recent weeks, the British actress has been traveling between New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, and London for busy days filled with press stops and premieres. Corfield worked alongside iconic stylist Cher Coulter—who is known for dressing Bel Powley, Eva Mendes, Rosy McEwen, Michelle Dockery, Phia Saban, and Sylvia Hoeks—and the duo collaborated closely to curate looks across cities, incorporating subtle nods to the Outlander world through pieces from Coperni, Rabanne, and other coveted labels.
The East Coast stops showcased Corfield’s versatility: a bright, sunshine-yellow Coach minidress; a laid-back flannel-and-jeans outfit by ACNE Studios; and quintessentially fall gray Marni suiting featuring a pleated bubble skirt and Dear Frances loafers. Out West, she boldly wore Self-Portrait burgundy leather hot pants and Louboutins, followed by a softer choice—a romantic high-low floral dress from Alessandra Rich that felt reminiscent of the Victorian era. Her three days at Comic-Con included a chic Miu Miu midi dress, jewelry from cult favorite Justine Clenquet, and a matching crop top and skirt by Shushu/Tong. For the Hollywood screening, she fully channeled the period piece’s aesthetic with a romantic, maiden-esque Alberta Ferretti gown, and subsequent interviews were in Patou and Isabel Marant. Back across the pond for the finale, she opted for MM6 Maison Margiela’s Off-White Longline Maxi Dress with an asymmetrical hem and wrapped the entire run in a pink silk slip from Beirut-based designer Renaissance Renaissance.
It’s been a massive summer for the leading lady. Just a couple of months ago, the 31-year-old was highlighted on Who What Wear’s Ones to Watch list for her breakout performance in the historical romance. Since then, I’ve seen her face across subway platforms throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan—a testament to just how big this project has become. In fact, it was renewed for a second season before it even aired.
During our conversation, Corfield reflected on embodying her latest character, figuring out press tour outfits, and preparing to write and direct her debut feature.
Hermione Corfield wearing Marni, Completedworks, and Coach
(Image credit: Alexandra Arnold)
I would love to hear more about your background and how you got into acting. When did you decide you wanted to pursue it professionally?
The first time I thought it could be a career was when I was 15 and joined the National Youth Theatre. I did a course during the school break, and being there—surrounded by people from all over the UK who also wanted to be actors—made me think, “Okay, this could actually be a career.”
I got an agent because a casting director saw a photo of me, called up my school, and asked if I was an actor. I went into the casting for Snow White and the Huntsman, the one with Kristen Stewart. I didn’t get the part, but the casting director set me up with my agent, who I’m still with now at Independent. That was really the starting point.
Outlander: Blood of My Blood premiered on August 8. Can you describe the show and your character for someone new to it?
It’s a prequel to Outlander, but you don’t need to have seen Outlander to see this show. It’s got the same kind of fantastical elements. It’s rooted in the history of Scotland and the clan dynamic and that political landscape. On top of that, it’s a love story.
My character Julia and her husband Henry time-travel from World War I England to 1700s Scotland and then [are] separated. They’re the parents of Claire from Outlander, and it’s about how they survive having time-traveled back to 1700s Scotland.
What is your approach to getting into a new role? Does it feel different every time? How did you prepare for this one?
It’s funny because I think the first time you have a crack at a role—unless you’ve been offered it straight, which sometimes happens—you start the preparation in the audition period. First, we’ve looked at the character, and then from there, I find it really helpful to think about how you’re similar in ways [to] the character and then build on there from how you’re different. With a role like this and it being a period drama, there’s a level of historical research that has to go into it, which is always really fun.
Particularly with this, we’re getting the scripts as we go. I’m always learning more and more about the character. It’s kind of exciting. You have an idea who this person is, and you do the work on that, so each time you get new script, you’re always learning new layers and developing the character.
In what ways did you find yourself similar or different to Julia?
She has such a busy mind. She’s always needing to be busy because she’s constantly quite a restless spirit. She needs mental stimulation. I think I’m quite similar in that respect. She’s also a mother, and she’ll do anything to save her children, so I think that’s a driving force when it comes to the extremities of her behavior.
Hermione Corfield wearing Self-Portrait, Christian Louboutin, and Isabel Marant
(Image credit: Cibelle Levi)
How did you tap into the motherhood aspect of the role?
I’m not a mother yet, but I’ve got lots of people around me who are currently at that stage and having children and seeing how their life changed and how they embrace motherhood and maintain a sense of self. The capacity for love and the kind of raw instinct it brings out, to me, was something I found really interesting. Julia has been put in so many extreme circumstances, so it was fun to explore how that looks in terms of motherhood. People are willing to do everything it takes to protect their child.
What’s one of your fondest memories from filming this season?
The first time we went up to the stone was quite cool. I’d spent a lot of time filming inside the studio, and while the sets are so beautiful, there was something about going out into the wild Scottish countryside and being among the elements. You can feel the fairies and the magic.
If you could say something directly to fans watching the first episode, what would it be?
I’d say, “I promise I’m in the show!” It’s such a massive world, and there’s a lot of characters you get introduced to at first, but I am in it.
Do you have a favorite costume from the show?
Early episodes have me in woolen cardigans and a maid costume, but toward the end of season 1, I wear a gorgeous custom-made dress for a special scene—that’s my favorite.
Hermione Corfield wearing Shushu/Tong and Miu Miu.
Shifting to the press tour, how would you describe your personal style?
Cher, my stylist, is very good at letting my personal style shine through. When we first met for coffee, I was wearing leather hot pants and a leather shirt from 16Arlington, and she loved it. When we got to doing the first fitting, she pulled out these tiny burgundy Self-Portrait ones.
I love playful, interesting pieces that create an interesting silhouette, and I think the brands we’ve worked with so far all do that. It’s also ever-evolving. It’s important to always feel like you know you’re moving forward with your looks and shifting and changing. There’s always a surprise or something I hadn’t thought about. Even with the Alberta Ferretti premiere look, I liked leaning into the romance of the show.
What drew you to working with Coulter?
Everyone she worked with looked like they were having fun and enjoying what they were wearing, but [it] also felt like every girl had their own individual style, which I thought was very cool.
Can you talk about the process of choosing all of your individual press looks?
I’d previously worn Alessandra Rich and absolutely loved her work. The silhouettes are always beautiful but quite cool as well. There were other brands I’ve always loved, like ACNE.
When we were in New York, we did a little Coach dress that felt quite understated to run around New York. Once we got to L.A., we were looking for a more “in the sun” type feel. We did it on a city-by-city basis.
If you had to pick three words to describe your style, what would they be?
Playful, fresh, and alluring.
Hermione Corfield wearing Patou and Alessandra Rich
(Image credit: Cibelle Levi)
Do you have any style icons from the past or present you feel like you really resonate with?
I quite like what Greta Lee’s wearing at the moment. Zendaya is always fun—she’s always looking cool.
What about your personal wardrobe—do you have things that you find yourself reaching for every day? What are staples in your closet?
I’ve got a great leather jacket by Alexander McQueen, which I love wearing whenever autumn and winter come around. I have this amazing pair of patchwork red boots, which I found ages ago. They’re kind of like cowboy boots. I buy quite a lot of ACNE and The Frankie Shop for basics.
Have you been noticing any specific trends happening right now in London?
My mum’s a shirtmaker, so she’s absolutely thrilled because oxford men boxy shirts are back, and I think that looks kind of cool. I’m always going to say that, though, because I’ve grown up around her making great shirts, but it’s a trend I’m seeing a lot.
I’ve really liked [burgundy]—I feel like that’s been around a lot. It’s not a color I’d normally wear, but I’ve been buying it, and it’s such a rich, beautiful color.
Has your mom given you any fashion advice?
She’ll buy one dress and just wear it forever. She’s the least trend person you’ve ever met in your life. She really believes in good quality, so I think she’s definitely instilled a “quality over quantity” kind of mentality. I’ll tend to buy a vintage piece that’s beautifully made than hundreds of pieces that aren’t so well-made. I’ll look at the label to see where it’s made and at the materials whenever I buy it. I think she’s instilled a recognition of how important materials are.
Hermione Corfield wearing Alberta Ferretti
(Image credit: Paul Archuleta/Getty Images; Gilbert Flores/Getty Images)
What’s your perfect day in London or recommendation for someone visiting?
I really love the River Cafe. That’s my favorite restaurant. You can walk along the river to the Crabtree pub. You hardly beat going to theater in Soho and then go to dinner afterward around there as well.
Do you have favorite places to shop there?
I’m an online shopper these days, which is kind of sad because I used to go to the vintage shops and around Notting Hill and that kind of thing. I like Net-a-Porter and Mytheresa.
Aside from acting, I saw that you write and direct. Are you working on anything at the moment?
At the moment, I’m writing the feature version of my short film I made called Megagulper3000. I’m doing that with the producer Helen Hadfield, who also produced my short, and we’re in development stages of that.
How would you compare your actor brain to your director brain, and how do they inform each other?
It all feeds into each other. I think directing has made me much, much more efficient and a much more patient actor. You understand the elements so much more—from start to finish—and learn all the ins and outs about every single department. It gives you a whole new level of understanding and patience. I think you also read a script in a different way. As an actor, you read a script just [with] your character in mind. If you read a script for the whole story in mind, I think it gives you a better understanding of how your character fits into the story—why that scene is in the script and, therefore, what’s the objective for your character of that scene. It widens your viewpoint, and that ultimately has helped you to hone in on your character.
Hermione Corfield wearing Renaissance Renaissance and MM6 Maison Margiela
(Image credit: Pip Bourdillon)
How would you describe your directing style?
With my short film, I prepared intensely. I took photos of every shot, and I knew every shot down to a T, so it was incredibly organized. You do all the work before, and then you get there on the day, and you go off instinct, and you go off what you’re feeling. I think that how you get [the] most exciting, good work is by trusting the people you’re working with. If you hire the right people, then you have to trust them and listen to them, and the best idea wins.
Do you have a dream role?
I’d like to do a political drama or something that’s like Succession. The drama is there, but it’s quite understated and vipery. I’d love to do something like that.
