If you're wondering who the next red carpet wunderkind is, look no further than the stylings of KiKi Layne. Known for her chameleon-like ability to embody a gambit of characters, Layne has garnered impressive critical acclaim for her acting work, ranging from her dramatic role as a heartbroken lover in If Beale Street Could Talk to her action-packed heroics in Netflix’s The Old Guard. Most recently, she had the opportunity to flex her musical prowess as a singer-songwriter in the film Dandelion.

Offscreen, Layne's knack for transformation has also translated to her confident red-carpet style, as she's donned everything from decadent designer dresses to sleek tailored suits. Layne's approach to acting and fashion coincides with the philosophy of Parisian designer Isabel Marant, who has made a name for herself and her eponymous brand by creating clothes that make women feel independent, strong, and comfortable.

Last Thursday, while attending Marant's intimate dinner to celebrate the brand’s 30th anniversary and its first return to Los Angeles in 10 years, Layne chose to wear a bright blue cocktail dress that featured layered ruching and an embellished neckline. She polished her look with open-toe mules, geometrically framed sunglasses, and a silver Oskan Moon bag.

"It means a lot to be invited to celebrate a woman-owned brand that has been inspiring fashion for this long," Layne says of the occasion. "Longevity in this business is not easy, so I’m very happy to be able to celebrate the impact that Isabel has been making for this many years."

Here, Layne exclusively gives InStyle a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to get her ready for a fabulous night out.

Her Glam Squad

"My glam today consists of Dion Xu on makeup and Mitchell Cantrell on hair. This is my first time working with Dion, but I am a fan of his work and am excited to be working together. Mitchell and I have only worked together a few times, but I love how creative he is with my locs."

Her Go-to Products

"[We used] Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Foundation and Water Powder Serum. Mac Chestnut lip pencil and Fenty Fussy lip gloss are my go-to for lips. We also added an accessory from Lelet NY to my hair to tie into the silver that’s reflected in my shoes and bag."

Her Beauty Secret

Get some sleep and drink water. And carry the energy of knowing that you deserve to be in whatever room/event you were invited to.

How Layne Accessorizes

"Sunglasses are my favorite accessory, so I’m excited to add sunglasses to my look. The metallic silver bag is so cool and I love that it is actually big enough to fit more than just my phone! And the heels are actually comfortable."

How She Feels in Her Look

"I loved the color of the dress and thought it would look so nice with my skin tone, and I loved the way it fit my body. I think it aligns with my personal style because it is very comfortable and effortless but still stands out."

What Layne Loves About Isabel Marant 

"The brand represents so many different aspects of feminine energy and power—to have something as form-fitting and elegant as what I’m wearing, but she also creates things that feel very cool and fun that make you feel like a rock star. There’s so much to play with that feels very real and wearable beyond the runway."

Her Getting-Ready Playlist

" I love a great Afro-beats or reggae playlist while I’m in glam, but when it’s time to take photos, I switch to Beyoncé or Rihanna to really tap into some superstar energy."

Her Friends at the Party

"I’m hoping to run into a couple of friends and just people that I know that I don't get to see as often now that I live in NYC—everyone in the industry is always traveling."

Her After-Party Plans

"Going to bed. I’m on East Coast time, so by the time the dinner ends, I will probably be full, a little tipsy, and ready to go night-night."