Julianne Hough Favors Fringe in Black Simkhai Dress at Book Signing

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Julianne Hough put a bohemian spin on the little black dress on Monday while attending a book signing for her new novel, “Everything We Never Knew,” which is out now.

The “Dancing With the Stars” cohost selected a midi dress from Simkhai’s fall 2023 collection. The ensemble featured a square neckline and a lattice fringe along the hem. She accessorized with a patent leather purse and black slingback pumps, completing her look with silver hoop earrings.

Simkhai’s fall 2023 collection was characterized by its “mix of reworked classics and juxtaposed hard and soft lines,” WWD previously reported.

Stylist Jennifer Mazur, whose clients also include Olivia Culpo and Alessandra Ambrosio, dressed Hough for the occasion.

Hough wore her blond bob straightened, while her makeup consisted of beige eye shadow and a coral lip.

Speaking to People on Monday, the actress explained how her debut novel was inspired by her own life experiences. “Everything We Never Knew” is cowritten by Ellen Goodlett.

“What I found, it’s so overused and cliché but it really was an awakening,” Hough said of writing the book. “I was starting to feel things and see things and have these really heightened awarenesses and senses activated in a way that I was like, ‘Whoa, this feels like magic and nobody’s going to understand this because this is wild.’”

At the “DWTS” finale last year, Hough wore another black dress — this time by Versace. The corseted gown debuted on the runway during the label’s fall 2023 collection.

“Gaga wore it. Gigi [Hadid] obviously wore it on the runway. So, it’s iconic already, and having this be the finale and just being able to wear Versace is really cool, too,” she told WWD.

Hough’s choice to end her first season as a host in Versace had more to do with substance over style — it’s a full-circle moment on her path toward self-expression. “I think that it really [represents] female empowerment,” Hough said of the brand. “When you look at just the evolution, and Donatella, she has been such a narrative of strong women and showing that being sexy…there’s still a really strong place for that.”