Florence Pugh surprises LFW crowd with opening monologue for Harris Reed show

Florence Pugh made a surprise appearance at London Fashion Week opening the show by designer Harris Reed.

Appearing before the collection titled “All the World’s a Stage”, the Little Women actor delivered a monologue to the crowd at London’s Tate Gallery.

“Clothing has transformative power, whether for an actor or simply a performer on the stage of life, the art of dressing up allows us to express who we truly are, creating a safe space to inhabit in a sometimes judgmental world,” she said.

“Our costumes can change who we want to be seen as and who we are destined to be. I invite you to embrace the lamé and sequins of life, because all the world’s a stage,” Pugh continued, quoting William Shakespeare’s As You Like It.

Model Erin O’Connor and Melrose Place star Lisa Rinna were also at the event, which took place on Thursday night (16 February).

Writing on Instagram after the show, Pugh explained: “Harris Reed asked me to speak his words. Only as I was learning them did I realise that my 13-year-old self was screaming the same thing.

“You wear yourself. And what you want to be see as. I’m so grateful to be involved in @Harris_Reed show. It was an honour and it was a privilege. My teen self would have been screaming.”

She continued: “Fashion is such an expression of life and love to me. I feel so lucky to [be] a part of Harris Reed’s vision. Thank you till the end of time.”

Last month, Pugh opened up about the criticism she had received for wearing a sheer Valentino gown to the label’s haute couture show in Rome last July.

The actor’s nipples could be seen through the garment, prompting a backlash that has been characterised by many as “body shaming”.

“I’ve never been scared of what’s underneath the fabric,” she told Vogue. “If I’m happy in it, then I’m gonna wear it. Of course, I don’t want to offend people, but I think my point is: How can my nipples offend you that much?”

Earlier this week, the Midsommar star Florence Pugh also discussed her attitude towards her own appearance and revealed that her grandfather used to ask her why she let her “ugly spots” remain visible.

“When I started out, my granddad would always tell me off and be like: ‘Why are you showing everyone your ugly spots?’” Pugh said. “He’d be really confused as to why I’d show my cellulite. My answer was like, ‘Well, I’d much rather do it than they do it, and then I feel ashamed.’”