Award-winning actress Taraji P. Henson turned heads at Jonathan Simkhai’s Spring 2025 show with not just her style—but a striking new hair color she debuted just hours before hitting the runway event. The transformation? A spontaneous switch to bright orange at 2 a.m.
A Bold New Look, Born by Accident
Known for her fearless fashion choices, Henson arrived at the show in a flowing salmon-toned coat and relaxed trousers, perfectly matching her vivid hair. The decision, however, wasn’t exactly pre-planned. “We were aiming for blonde,” she shared. “But around 2 a.m., the color kept shifting, and I thought—maybe the universe wants me to be orange.”
The transformation, part of a gradual evolution in her style, followed a sequence of cuts leading up to the premiere of her latest project, Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist. “We started with a long bob, shortened it again, and finalized the cut just in time for Fallon. It’s been a journey,” she said with a laugh, joking that her next appearance might be with a shaved head.
A Role That Defied Expectations
Beyond the fashion, Henson opened up about her latest character, a powerful businesswoman named Vivian Thomas. “I usually play the nurturer, the heart,” she explained. “But Vivian was different—she led with her mind, not her emotions. It was refreshing and challenging.”
She also took a moment to reflect on societal expectations of women, particularly around motherhood. “People expect women to want marriage and kids. Vivian had no interest in either—and that’s okay,” she emphasized. Critiquing recent political commentary labeling child-free women as “cat ladies,” she called such rhetoric “offensive and regressive.”
Fashion Week Moments and High-Profile Company
Henson was seated beside Olympic gymnast Suni Lee, another standout at New York Fashion Week. Lee confessed she’s a self-proclaimed shopping addict—“I’m terrible!”—while other stars like Pritika Swarup and Molly Sims added to the glamor in the front row.
Held at The Edge in Hudson Yards, 1,100 feet above Manhattan, Simkhai’s show featured an elegant mix of textures and structure. Supermodel Amber Valletta opened in a minimalist beige ensemble, setting the tone for a sophisticated, nature-inspired collection. Among the highlights were gowns with 3D floral motifs, translucent overlays, and dramatic fringes ready for both the runway and festival season.
As the show closed, Simkhai shared the spotlight with his mother, who inspired elements of the collection—including a floral detail taken from her wedding dress. It was a moment of style, sentiment, and legacy—mirroring Taraji’s own night of bold self-expression.