Lili Reinhart turned heads at the Getty Images Portrait Studio during SXSW on March 15, arriving in Austin to celebrate the world premiere of her new film ‘Forbidden Fruits’. The actress made a confident style statement that had fashion followers talking almost immediately after the photos hit the internet. Reinhart has always had an instinct for pairing sharp tailoring with unexpected risks, and this appearance was no different. It signaled the start of what is shaping up to be a very visible year for the actress.
For the occasion, she chose a sheer midi dress by Italian designer Elisabetta Franchi, a label known for its sleek femininity and sophisticated edge. The garment was crafted from a fine, gauzy knit where transparency was not an afterthought but the entire point of the design. Worn over a coordinated set of black high-waisted briefs and a matching balconette bra, the layering felt intentional and polished rather than daring for its own sake. The look walked a precise line between lingerie-inspired dressing and red-carpet refinement.
To anchor the ensemble, Reinhart cinched her waist with a wide, asymmetrical leather belt fastened with a prominent gold-toned buckle. The belt introduced structure and a toughness that kept the overall silhouette from tipping too soft. She completed the outfit with minimalist black heels featuring delicate ankle straps, a choice that added length without competing with the dress. Every element of the look had clearly been considered with care.
Her hair was pulled back into a sleek, side-parted bun that kept the focus firmly on the clothing and accessories. The beauty approach was equally restrained, built around defined eyes and a soft nude lip. It was the kind of makeup that communicates “I know exactly what I’m doing” without shouting it. Together, the hair and makeup let the Elisabetta Franchi design remain the undisputed star of the moment.
📸| Lili Reinhart poses for a portrait at the Getty Images Portrait Studio at SXSW 2026 on March 15, 2026 in Austin, Texas. pic.twitter.com/JzFQYSkZ9m
— Lili Reinhart Online (@FRLiliReinhart) March 15, 2026
The SXSW appearance comes as Reinhart enters what feels like a deliberate and exciting new chapter following her long run on ‘Riverdale’. In late 2025, she earned strong critical notices for her lead performance in the psychological thriller ‘American Sweatshop’, signaling a shift toward more complex and varied material. ‘Forbidden Fruits’, set for wide theatrical release on March 27, continues that trajectory. In the film, she plays Apple, the de facto leader of a coven-like sisterhood running an upscale boutique inside a Texas mall.
The horror-comedy boasts a cast that reads like a who’s-who of the current generation of it-girls, including Lola Tung, Victoria Pedretti, and Alexandra Shipp. Influencer Emma Chamberlain also makes her film acting debut in the project, which was produced by Oscar-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody. Early SXSW buzz has described the film as a campy, stylish slasher that takes a sharp look at performative female friendship. It is exactly the kind of project that suits Reinhart’s current ambitions.
Beyond ‘Forbidden Fruits’, her slate is impressively full. She is attached to star in ‘The Love Hypothesis’, an adaptation of the beloved romance novel in which she plays a biology student named Olive. She will also appear in the political thriller ‘The Very Best People’, and fans can currently follow her work in the limited series ‘Hal & Harper’ alongside Mark Ruffalo and Cooper Raiff. Through her production company, Small Victory Productions, she is also growing her influence behind the camera.
Reinhart additionally runs Personal Day, her skincare line aimed specifically at people with acne-prone skin, which has built a devoted following. Her presence at SXSW illustrated just how seamlessly she moves between the world of indie film and mainstream pop culture. Few actors of her generation are balancing this many projects across this many genres at once. The sheer Elisabetta Franchi dress, it turns out, was a fitting metaphor for exactly that kind of confidence.
Elisabetta Franchi founded her eponymous label in Bologna in 1998 after starting her career making belts, which explains why statement belts have remained a recurring signature in her collections ever since. The SXSW festival, originally launched in 1987 as a music conference, has grown into one of the most influential convergence points for film, tech, and culture in the world. Reinhart’s film ‘Forbidden Fruits’ is not the first horror-comedy produced by Diablo Cody to generate serious awards season speculation straight out of a festival premiere.
What do you think of Lili Reinhart’s sheer dress look at SXSW — bold fashion statement or too much for a film premiere? Share your thoughts in the comments.
