Jessica Chastain on Quiet Luxury and Why Style Is About Meaning, Not Status

Dubai – For Oscar-winning actor Jessica Chastain, luxury is not about loud labels or overt displays of wealth. Instead, it is rooted in intention, expression, and emotional resonance.

Speaking in Dubai during a brief interaction at The Dubai Mall, where she unveiled Italian jewellery house Damiani’s newly revamped boutique and its latest high jewellery collection, Ode to Italy, Chastain reflected on her affinity for understated elegance — both on and off the red carpet.

“Yes, it is something I gravitate towards, absolutely,” Chastain said. “I love an understated elegance.”

However, subtlety, she explained, does not mean disappearing into the background. Dressed in a striking red suit paired with Damiani jewellery — including necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earpieces — Chastain spoke about how colour itself can embody refined elegance when worn with intention.

“I don’t like anything vulgar,” she said. “But I do like to show up with an energy — like with a colour. I’m wearing a red suit, after all, and incredible jewellery. I think there’s an understated elegance to colour as well. Because it’s so expressive, it feels like you’re part of an art piece.”

When asked whether luxury today is shifting away from status symbols and towards personal meaning, Chastain agreed without hesitation.

“Exactly,” she said. “It’s more about how you want to show up today. Choosing a red suit versus choosing a black suit is a very different energy you’re putting out.”

For her Dubai appearance, that energy was deliberate. “I really wanted to show up and feel like sunshine,” she added.

Chastain’s presence certainly lit up the event, as fans and admirers gathered for brief interactions and photo opportunities. Her visit marked a significant moment for Damiani, where she serves as a global brand ambassador. The Ode to Italy collection draws inspiration from some of Italy’s most iconic landmarks, translated into high jewellery through the craftsmanship of the house’s master goldsmiths.

Beyond fashion, the actor also shared her admiration for Dubai’s rapid transformation.

“It’s amazing to see the growth that the city has to offer,” she said. “It’s actually quite inspiring as a human. It makes the impossible possible — it really represents that.”

This trip, Chastain revealed, was also a family experience. “I brought my family this time,” she said. “We’ve been to The Green Planet, KidZania — we went all over and had a great time.”

On the professional front, Chastain is set to return for the second season of Audible’s audio thriller The Space Within, reprising her role as Dr. Madeline Wyle, a PTSD and trauma psychiatrist navigating a world of alien mysteries, government conspiracies, and altered human DNA. She also serves as executive producer on the series, with all eight episodes scheduled to debut on March 5, 2026.