‘East of Eden’ Star Florence Pugh Stuns as Vanity Fair’s Renaissance Woman in Striking New Shoot
Florence Pugh has spent the past decade building one of the most versatile résumés in Hollywood, and Vanity Fair is now celebrating that range in a big way. Born in Oxford in 1996, the actress has earned an Academy Award nomination and 3 BAFTA nominations, along with a British Independent Film Award, according to Wikipedia.
Her filmography spans blockbusters and prestige projects alike. Pugh plays Yelena Belova in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in ‘Black Widow’, ‘Thunderbolts*’, ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’, and the Disney+ series ‘Hawkeye’, while her biggest releases also include ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’, ‘Oppenheimer’, and ‘Dune: Part Two’.
Now Pugh is fronting one of the magazine world’s most talked-about issues. She covers Vanity Fair’s October 2026 edition, which marks the return of The New Establishment, with the actress celebrated as a Renaissance Woman.
The issue gathers major names shaping entertainment, technology, business, politics, and culture. According to YourCelebrityMagazines, it includes features on Sam Altman, Larry Ellison, Gavin Newsom, and Erika Kirk, with Donald Glover, Ryan Coogler, Bad Bunny, Pope Leo, and Matthew Blazy also appearing, alongside a 38-page New Establishment portfolio.
The accompanying portraits were shot by photographer Nadine Ijewere and shared online by Cinethology. In the first image, Pugh wears a sculptural metallic headpiece made of layered, interlocking discs, framing her face in a close-up beauty shot against a soft blue backdrop.
Florence Pugh for Vanity Fair (October 2026 issue) photographed by Nadine Ijewere, styled by Nathan Klein. pic.twitter.com/vpKQvQk9wQ
— linda (@itgirlbackup) September 25, 2026
The second image goes full glamour. Pugh lounges on a simple black chair against a warm orange background, wearing a shimmering champagne-toned slip dress with intricate beadwork, while keeping the same striking metallic headpiece.
The result blends vintage glamour with a futuristic edge, fitting neatly with the issue’s celebration of creative multitaskers. Ijewere brings her own impressive credentials to the shoot. Her January 2019 cover for British Vogue featured Dua Lipa, Binx Walton, and Letitia Wright on the English coast, according to Wikipedia.
Florence Pugh for Vanity Fair (October 2026 issue) photographed by Nadine Ijewere, styled by Nathan Klein. pic.twitter.com/mUFrN4g4i0
— linda (@itgirlbackup) September 25, 2026
She has long been known for a distinct approach to casting and representation. Ijewere does most of her model casting personally and often chooses subjects who don’t conform to conventional industry standards, with her work focused on celebrating diversity.
This isn’t Pugh’s first time on the magazine’s cover. She appeared on Vanity Fair’s March 2023 Hollywood issue, joining a group cover alongside Austin Butler, Ana de Armas, Selena Gomez, Keke Palmer, Jeremy Allen White, and more, according to SheFinds.
At the time, she wore a sheer, nude-colored dress with a dramatic cape and described the shoot on Instagram as a weird, wonderful, and bizarre day surrounded by talented actors. She also landed her British Vogue debut in October 2024 while promoting ‘We Live in Time’.
Florence Pugh stuns for Vanity Fair
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) September 25, 2026
📸: Nadine Ijewere pic.twitter.com/fS819pHU0q
The Vanity Fair cover arrives during an especially busy period for Pugh. She joined Netflix’s first-ever UK Upfront this week to represent her upcoming series ‘East of Eden’, and she returns as Yelena in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ on December 18.
Between prestige television, Marvel blockbusters, and a high-profile magazine honor, the Renaissance Woman title feels especially fitting. With so many projects on the horizon, Pugh’s momentum shows no signs of slowing down.
What do you think of Florence Pugh’s striking metallic Vanity Fair shoot?
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