Maggie Q's Stunning Style Transformation

Maggie Q may be known as the fierce action star in "Mission: Impossible III" and the television series "Nikita," but she's also a fashionista off-screen, with her own clothing label to boot. The actor launched Qeep Up in 2019, and the activewear isn't just about looking cute, although the designs are totally fashion-forward. Q told Page Six in 2019 that the materials are all 100% recycled, sharing, "I've been in conservation for endangered species for about 20 years, and working with our oceans. Especially in the last 10 years, I've gotten really into more of trying to affect consumers who are overbuying plastics or consuming endangered marine mammals." She added, "My dream was to create a company that could benefit the people doing the real work on the ground."

We love style mavens who put such thought into their 'fits, and Q proves she's not just a gorgeous face. Still, no matter what the "Divergent" star wears, she always manages to look effortlessly cool. From her slinky mid-Y2K looks to wearing comfy sustainable fashion, Q has had a stunning style transformation since breaking into the Hollywood scene decades ago.

Maggie Q's first big break in the U.S. was in "Mission: Impossible III," starring alongside Tom Cruise, Michelle Monaghan, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Prior to that, she was an actor in Hong Kong, but the action movie made her a global sensation. Q eased her way into stardom seamlessly, wearing understated but elegant mid-Y2K styles, such as the white fringed look she wore to a "Mission: Impossible III" screening in 2006. The subtle bustier silhouette and semi-sheer material were perfect for the event, while the tassels added a bit of playfulness to Q's look.

As a former model, Q seemed to know how to pick the right dress shape for her body type, and often stepped out in body-hugging sheaths. In 2009, she attended a screening of "The September Issue" wearing a strapless Azzaro minidress featuring a large bow on one side of the hem. Q's toned arms were on full display, and she looked California cool with her slightly wavy hair. By then, she had several more films under her belt, including "Live Free or Die Hard," so she was a natural on the red carpet.

Maggie Q landed the lead role of the CW series "Nikita" in 2010, and looked every bit like her assassin character while at the network's upfronts that year in New York City. Wearing a black blazer and matching slim-fitting trousers, Q channeled her inner spy while looking glamorous as she posed in front of cameras. The low cut of the jacket showed off her olive-green bodysuit, which was highlighted by a snake accessory draped over the lapels. This was a great example of one of the best ways to style a chic blazer.

Q proved yet again how stunning she looks in black at the 2014 Met Gala, as she wowed in a structural Zac Posen gown. The Hawaii-born star even managed to make cap sleeves look good, but the best part of her gown was the gathered waist that gradually flared out into an A-line skirt. With her hair in an elegant chignon that allowed her to show off some dazzling baubles, Q looked like a regal queen.

Maggie Q had been a solids gal for most of her career, but in 2015, she attended Tory Burch's fashion show wearing one of the designer's dresses. The brand is known for its fun prints, and Q totally nailed her look with a dizzying midi sheath accessorized with a pendant necklace. While sitting in the front row, the "Stalker" star fit right in with the rest of the A-list celebrities. It's always nice to have a close relationship with a designer, which Q apparently had with Burch, as she wore a custom white ensemble for the Met Gala that year. With the theme being "China: Through the Looking Glass," Q dressed the part with a long tunic and pants, which was a current take on traditional Chinese garb.

By 2019, Q was a regular on the fashion scene, and she opted for prints again at the Jason Wu show during New York Fashion Week. This time, it was florals in a mid-length wrap style, which is a type of dress everyone should own. The watercolor finish gave the flowers a soft, blurred effect and showcased Q's flawless skin. At 40 years old, the actor learned to embrace colors and knew how to choose simple accessories that complemented her 'fits perfectly.

Qeep Up was started as Maggie Q's passion project in an effort to help the environment, but she also used her brand for other causes. In 2020, she created a T-shirt with the words "Qeep Kids Well" as a way to raise money for children during the COVID-19 pandemic. "The current situation facing families in this crisis would have been unimaginable only months ago. But here we are, and all we can do is search for ways to change it," Q shared on Instagram. "In our efforts to 'Qeep Kids Well' as families navigate these uncertain times, we created this T-shirt for kids and their parents with 100% of profits going to @SavetheChildren." Naturally, Q attended activism-focused events that also gave her a chance to show off her fashion sense, such as the Global Citizen Festival in 2021, where she sported a satin yellow shirt and a metallic miniskirt. The following year, she went for satin again at the Berggruen Prize Gala, this time in stunning red.

Q continued to showcase her line and encouraged fans to purchase environmentally-friendly clothing by modeling a black bikini top from her swimwear collection. "It's bikini top + denim season and we are here for it. @maggieq wears the Paradise Bikini Top," the company's Instagram account posted in June 2023. That April, Qeep Up posted a reel with Q wearing various athleisure from her line and wrote, "Make every day Earth Day. That's been our motto from day 1. Let's keep celebrating this beautiful planet!"

When she's not attending red-carpet events, Maggie Q's style is super laid-back, favoring either athletic wear or cozy knits, like the olive-green cardigan she wore while sharing an Instagram snap in 2024. Q is also a fan of jeans and a breezy top when hanging out off-camera, and we bet they're eco-friendly to align with her values. The environmentalist is clearly an animal lover and posted a shot of herself cuddling with a cute pooch while wearing denim cutoffs and a floral tank. "I want to be clear about who I am. I don't know this dog," she joked.

Of course, when it comes to promoting her films, Q knows when to step it up, as she did for the "Ballard" premiere in July. Wearing a multi-colored sequined dress with a yellow-gold base, the movie star simply shimmered. "I was unsure [about this dress] and my stylist, Lindsay Flores, said, 'No, this really is it,' and I trusted her! She's usually right. It's very sexy, summer-in-the-city fun. OG Carrie Bradshaw vibes. We slipped it on, zipped it up, and it fit — it needed no tailoring," Q revealed to InStyle. Wearing the Roberto Cavalli creation was definitely the right choice, and with her flawless makeup, the stunner proved she can go from girl-next-door to captivating leading lady with no effort at all.