Emma Watson, one of Hollywood's most elusive stars, stepped out for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's 15th annual Art+Film Gala on Saturday night, according to WWD.

As British Vogue reports, she skipped the red carpet — but certainly dressed for one — in a glossy, corseted gown with slipping shoulder straps that the magazine likened to a 'Madame X' look. The dress was created by multidisciplinary artist Caroline Zimbalist, and Watson was styled by Jared Ellner.

Rather than pose for photographers, ELLE notes that Watson kept a low profile at the event and was not photographed on the carpet, instead sharing pictures by Rich Stapleton on her own Instagram Story.

The gown's construction is what makes it a standout, even among gala fashion. WWD reports that the dress featured a base fabric of red silk with a hand-poured biomaterial layered on top to create a textural overlay.

The biomaterial was made by heating and mixing a biopolymer-based formulation incorporating vegetable glycerin, a plant-derived plasticizer that lends flexibility and softness to the final material.

ELLE and British Vogue both add that the material was poured by hand directly onto the silk; as the water evaporates, it sets and bonds with the fabric, retaining the silk's drape and adding sculptural dimensionality to the surface.

The finished look paired a fitted dark bodice with a vibrant red skirt.

Zimbalist framed the piece as more than a red-carpet garment.

In a statement quoted by WWD, she said creating the dress for Emma was 'an exploration of power and femininity, but also of impermanence,' adding that she sees it as 'a fleeting moment in time, somewhere between fashion, sculpture and performance art,' coming to life through Watson's movement and the way she carries it.

According to WWD, Zimbalist is a Parsons School of Design graduate who appeared in the 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 list, founded her eponymous label in 2023, previously collaborated with designers including Jane Wade, Elena Velez and Sam Miro Vintage, and debuted her designs at New York Fashion Week in 2024.

Watson herself connected the material to a bigger conversation. In her Instagram post described by ELLE, she wrote that fashion and art have always been ways to start important conversations and influence culture, and that she loves seeing that creativity applied to the materials we use.

She tied the gown to sustainability, noting that the wild places that inspire art are also where plastic ends up, and pointed to Cox Enterprises' investment in companies like Nexus Circular, which repurposes used plastic to build a more circular economy.

British Vogue also noted she drew a line between Zimbalist's nature-inspired work and the evening's honourees, artist Vija Celmins and 'Dune' director Denis Villeneuve.

The backdrop lent weight to the look.

According to WWD, the gala honored artist Vija Celmins and Denis Villeneuve, with Leonardo DiCaprio and LACMA trustee Eva Chow returning as co-chairs, Gucci continuing as presenting sponsor — a role it has held since the gala's 2011 debut — and Blackpink's Rosé performing.

Proceeds support the museum's film programming, exhibitions and educational initiatives. ELLE reports this marked Watson's first Los Angeles event since September, when she attended the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art's opening gala in a black minidress decorated with real flowers.

For fashion watchers, the appearance signals a rising profile for Zimbalist and growing red-carpet interest in bio-based materials.