Marisa Abela makes a case for Mocha Mousse

The EE BAFTA Rising Star nominee dressed head-to-toe in the Pantone Colour of the Year 

Marisa Abela attends the Vanity Fair EE Rising Star Party
Marisa Abela attends the Vanity Fair EE Rising Star Party
(Image credit: L: Dave Benett, R: Mike Marsland/WireImage via Getty Images)

Enter the era of the LBD—the Little Brown Dress

Two stars collided at last night’s Vanity Fair EE Bafta Rising Star Awards party—Rising Star nominee Marisa Abela and Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Mocha Mousse.

Once considered earthy and safe, brown is now on its way to knock black off its pedestal as the cocktail party colour of choice.

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Case in point: Marisa Abela, who last night attended the Vanity Fair EE BAFTA Rising Star Awards in head-to-toe cappuccino tones, accessories and all.

Marisa Abela at the Vanity Fair EE BAFTA Rising Star Awards party

Marisa Abela at the Vanity Fair EE BAFTA Rising Star Awards party

(Image credit: EE)

Tonal dressing has steadily been gaining traction—Laura Harrier went monotone at Haute Couture Week—as the antithesis of eclectic mix-matching, which had been dominating runways. But the monotone trend isn’t all hush-hush elegance and simplicity.

Abela’s toffee-toned outfit, which included a custom leather midi dress from The Own Studio, was striking in its unexpectedness. From her brown lipstick to her tights, her tights (coloured hosiery is also having a moment), every piece echoed the same shame.

And it didn’t end with the clothes. A coppery palette of peanut and cinnamon dominated her makeup as well. Only a slick of signature scarlet at the soles of her Louboutin heels broke the theme.

There were no bold patterns or loud accessories—just the understated power of one colour: Mocha Mousse.

Looking to incorporate Pantone’s colour of “Connection, Comfort, and Harmony” into your wardrobe? Scroll on for our Mocha Mousse picks.

Shop Mocha Mousse

Mischa Anouk Smith
News and Features Editor

Mischa Anouk Smith is the News and Features Editor of Marie Claire UK, commissioning and writing in-depth features on culture, politics, and issues that shape women’s lives. Her work blends sharp cultural insight with rigorous reporting, from pop culture and technology to fertility, work, and relationships. Mischa’s investigations have earned awards and led to appearances on BBC Politics Live and Woman’s Hour. For her investigation into rape culture in primary schools, she was shortlisted for an End Violence Against Women award. She previously wrote for Refinery29, Stylist, Dazed, and Far Out.