Leading ladies Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchett and Rachel Weisz smoulder in black gowns as they pose for cover of Vanity Fair's 2016 Hollywood Issue
Hollywood's leading ladies have gathered to bring some serious star power to Vanity Fair's 2016 Hollywood issue.
Industry legends such as Charlotte Rampling, Jane Fonda and Dame Helen Mirren join the likes of box office golden girls Cate Blanchett, Rachel Weisz and Jennifer Lawrence in the spread, shot by revered photographer Annie Leibovitz.
The women all dressed in black for the 22nd edition of the publication's annual Tinseltown special.
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Leading ladies: A host of Hollywood stars have posed for the cover of Vanity Fair's Hollywood issue. (L-R) Jane Fonda, Cate Blanchett, Viola Davis, Jennifer Lawrence, Charlotte Rampling, Brie Larsen (bottom), Rachel Weisz, Lupita Nyong'o, Alicia Vikander, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Helen Mirren, Saoirse Ronan, and Diane Keaton
The main view of the cover - first revealed on Monday on Snapchat - was also occupied by heavy hitters including Viola Davis and Diane Keaton, as well as breakthrough actresses such as Brie Larsen, Alicia Vikander and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.
Cate and Jennifer are both nominated for Academy Awards for Actress in a Leading Role for their work in Carol and Joy, respectively.
Aussie beauty Cate, 46, showed off her enviable figure in a plunging, spaghetti strap gown as she leaned against Viola in the dreamy shot.
Her blonde tresses were parted off to the side and styled in soft curls, with the dramatic look complimented with bold, dark eyeliner.Jennifer, 25, leaned back against the How To Get Away with Murder star in a form-fitting, sleeveless dress, as her blonde locks were slicked back into a chic up-do.
Two-time Oscar winner - and star of Netflix's Grace and Frankie - Jane modeled a shimmery, sequined ensemble along with classic, black pumps.
The star - who recently garnered a Golden Globes nomination for her work in Youth - looked younger than her 78 years as she stared demurely at the camera, with her short locks combed back and out of her face, highlighting her luminous skin.
Cover girls: The women all dressed in black for the 22nd edition of the publication's annual Tinseltown special, shot by photographer Annie Leibovitz
Box office golden: Cate and Jennifer are both nominated for Academy Awards for Actress in a Leading Role for their work in Carol and Joy, respectively
Fan-favorite: For the second year in a row, Viola took home a Screen Actors Guild Award for her unforgettable performance as Annalise Keating on ABC smash hit How to Get Away with Murder over the weekend
Rising stars: Alicia Vikander and Brie Larson have made the cover this year after acclaimed turns in The Danish Girl and Room respectively
Buzz: Brie is tipped for Oscar glory for her turn in the adaptation of Emma Donoghue's gripping novel. She has already won the Best Actress prizes at the Screen Actors Guild awards and the Golden Globes
And it was no surprise to see Viola grace the cover, as the star is riding high following Emmy and Screen Actors Guild Award wins for her work as Annalise Keating on ABC smash hit How to Get Away with Murder.
She looked elegant in a long-sleeved evening gown, as her raven tresses were worn in a center part and styled in vintage, barrel curls.
'Since they’re all different in age, shape, style, and personality, I didn’t want to do anything that unified them in silhouette,' Vanity Fair’s fashion and style director, Jessica Diehl explained of the shoot. 'I didn’t want to put them all in slinky dresses, because that felt not personal.'
Moving beyond the main fold of the cover, the spread featured Charlotte, Rachel Weisz, Lupita Nyong'o, Brie Larson, Alicia, Gugu, Helen Mirren, Saoirse Ronan, and Diane Keaton.
Charlotte, 69 - who posed in a long-sleeved, sequined number with a slit up the thigh - has been recognized with an Oscar nod for her work in 45 Years.
Youth's Rachel, 45, looked stoically ahead as she modeled a stunning, strapless, textured gown amid a sea of sequins.
Brie - who has nabbed a Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild Award, and Critics' Choice Award for her performance in Room - lay sprawled on the ground in a dazzling, sequined dress with a low-cut front.
The blonde beauty, 26, will be vying for the Oscar against fellow cover girls Cate, Charlotte, Jennifer, and Saoirse.
In-demand actress Lupita, 32, who modeled an off-the-shoulder gown, has had quite the year, voicing Maz Kanata in the record-breaking Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens.
The star - who looked sophisticated accessorizing with diamond earrings - also voiced a character in Disney's upcoming live action reboot of The Jungle Book, as well as worked on drama Queen of Katwe and Broadway's Eclipsed.
Alicia has had quite the year herself, earning acclaim for her work in The Danish Girl as well as Ex Machina along with a Screen Actors Guild Award and Critics' Choice Award for the former.
The 27-year-old wore a three-quarter-length sleeve shimmery gown with a thigh-high slit to show off her toned pins as she sat between Rachel and Helen.
Gugu, known for her work in critically-acclaimed films Belle and Beyond the Lights, showed off her natural beauty with simple make-up and a sophisticated, strapless gown.
The 32-year-old - next set to appear in Disney's star-studded live reboot of Beauty and the Beast - rested her hand on Helen in the dramatic shot.
The Woman in Gold star, 70, was striking in a flowing, ball gown with cap sleeves and a low-cut neckline.
She stood beside Diane, also 70, who showed off her signature style in a trendy coat, leather boots, a wide-brimmed hat, and a patterned scarf.
The Finding Dory star - also set to appear in TV series The Young Pope - showed off a wide, open-mouthed grin, the only smile on this year's cover.
Irish beauty Saoirse, 21, modeled a spaghetti strap number with a sheer cape and textured skirt as she sat beside Helen and Diane.
The Oscar-nominated Brooklyn star wore her brunette tresses pulled back into an elegant updo, highlighting her features with a soft pink lipstick.
The Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue is available on newsstands in New York and Los Angeles, and on devices on Thursday, February 4, and nationally on Tuesday, February 8.
Renowned: Annie Leibovitz is the woman behind the stunning shot. The snapper - one of the most revered photographers in the world - has taken charge of the Hollywood issue cover for several years
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3426850/Leading-ladies-Jennifer-Lawrence-Cate-Blanchett-Rachel-Weisz-smoulder-black-gowns-pose-cover-Vanity-Fair-s-2016-Hollywood-Issue.html#ixzz3z0OJQn9v
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