Lucy Liu Gets Elegant for ‘More,’ Talks Beauty Insecurities with Idris Elba in ‘Michigan Avenue’

Lucy Liu More Magazine, Michigan Avenue Magazine

Lucy Liu’s Elegant More Magazine Feature + Michigan Avenue Cover Shoot and Interview

Lucy Liu , who is on blazing promo trail for her forthcoming on-screen appearances, gives us the “New Age of Elegance” in a recent issue of More Magazine and sits down with Golden Globe winner Idris Elba for an intimate chat in Michigan Avenue Magazine !

Lucy Liu More Magazine September 2012

Lucy Liu in Robert Cavalli silk gown for More Magazine photographed by Emre Guven

The Emmy-nominated actress will soon star on CBS ’s Elementary with Jonny Lee Miller and The Man with the Iron Fists alongside Russell Crowe and RZA — which releases this month.

Lucy Liu More Magazine September 2012

Lucy Liu in Naeem Khan mirror and tulle bodice, Bottega Veneta embroidered crepe skirt, Verdura black-jade and 18k gold bracelet and Gaspar Gloves leather glove for More Magazine photographed by Emre Guven

Photographed by Emre Guven for More and styled by Jonny Lichtenstein , the 43-year-old Asian beauty is wearing lavish fabrics and striking silhouettes from Michael Kors , Zac Posen and Roberto Cavalli , to name a few. The sophisticated look is topped off with a sharp cropped hairstyle by Enzo Angileri and makeup by Erin Ayanian Monroe .

Lucy Liu Michigan Avenue November 2012

Lucy Liu Covers Michigan Avenue November 2012

For her Michigan Avenue shoot by Andrew Eccles , Lucy rocks bold metallics, elaborate floral prints, and gothic lace in looks from Tom Ford , Helmut Lang , Lanvin , and Tulle picked by. Her flowing locks are handled by Creighton Bowman and René Furterer , with makeup by Joanne Gair .

Lucy Liu in painted flower dress by Lanvin, necklace by Chanel, and crystal encrusted gunmetal earrings by Alexis Bittar for Michigan Avenue photographed by Andrew Eccles

In her new interview with close friend Idris , she talks about working with Quentin Tarantino , her childhood, being a painter, attending Michigan University , being a tomboy, and so much more. Read a few excerpts and see more photos from both shoots below!

On her career success:

“You really have to risk everything—you have to take chances and take on projects that are pretty diverse. Just because you do film, don’t limit yourself. You should also do theater because it puts you out there in a terrifying way in front of a live audience and it really tests your skills. The more flexible you are, the more the longevity of your career is going to sustain itself. That’s what actors want. We don’t want to blow up for two years or five years and then be done.”

Lucy Liu Michigan Avenue November 2012

Lucy Liu in coated lace sweater by Helmut Lang and leather skirt with side peplums by DKNY for Michigan Avenue

What she’s learned from Tarentino:

“To really be able to listen. When I first met him, we went to Toi, this rock ’n’ roll Thai restaurant on Sunset Boulevard. We sat down at the table, and he started describing the character of O-Ren Ishii [from Kill Bill], acting out all the parts, the fake laughs, the sound effects… and I’m there eating my pad thai, trying to eat casually, but I feel like I’m a stunned audience member. If somebody is that excited to tell you something, it really is incredible how much you can learn from him or her. You can’t replicate that kind of passion.”

On insecurities:

“I grew up as a tomboy, and if you’ve seen photographs of me as a child, you see my mother cut all of my hair off. I had no hair: Picture Sinéad O’Connor with a two-week grow-out. I was not considered feminine at all, and boys did not look at me. I was a toothpick.

I’ll show you pictures, and you’ll see I’m not lying. I never looked at myself as a feminine person. My thing was, “I’m going to be casual and be able to talk to people because I’m hanging out with the guys.” In college, I suddenly felt like I understood more about myself and started making choices on my own. I started doing things that I wanted to do and understanding what my place was in the world, and I think part of that was also embracing myself as a woman. I was smart, I could hang with the guys—I could fall into my own niche category…. But I find that if somebody finds me beautiful, it melts my heart because it’s not something I heard most of the time growing up ever.

I can easily be enticed into some terrible relationship because I’m like, “Oh, my God, you think I’m beautiful?” [Idris laughs] You know what I mean? And my friends are like, “Why did you date that ******* for so long?” I’m like, “Oh, God.” [Laughs]

It’s good when somebody gives you a compliment. Now I can discern, but before I’d get swept up because I thought, Oh, my God, this person sees me for who I am.”

Lucy Liu More Magazine September 2012

Lucy Liu in Michael Kors beaded lace dress and Deborah Pagani pink-tourmaline and 18k gold ring

Lucy Liu in antique gold python appliqué cross front drape fitted dress by Tom Ford for Michigan Avenue

Lucy Liu More Magazine September 2012

Lucy Liu in Just Cavalli embellished silk dress for More Magazine

Lucy Liu Michigan Avenue November 2012

Lucy Liu in Tulle long-sleeve gown by Gucci, arlequin ring by Cartier, perlee ring with diamond clover motif and 18k white gold ring by Van Cleef & Arpels for Michigan Avenue

Lucy Liu in Zac Posen silk-chiffon blouse and silk-faille skirt, Bulgari embroidered and yellow-gold clutch, Mawi hematite and Swarovski crystal bracelet for More Magazine

Watch: ‘The Man With The Iron Fists’ Official Trailer

thanks Warrent Satt

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