Keira Knightley shows off gothic side in new photo shoot

We're so used to seeing Keira Knightley looking her English rose self more than anything, apart from the occasional period drama movie role where she wears a corset, so it was a bit of surprise to see her go gothic in the September issue of Harper's Bazaar.

The striking British beauty, 27, was photographed by iconic photographer Ellen Von Unwerth for the issue. Featured across 11 pages, Keira posed in high-end designer clothes from the likes of Balenciaga, Chanel and Gucci.

Speaking to the magazine ahead of the release of her new film Anna Karenina, the star explains how she didn't really feel confident until she reached 25, despite the fact she was an international movie star at the tender age of 17.

"I hated late teens, I hated early twenties, all of that, I think a lot of people do," she said.

"Possibly I think I'm one of those people that always would have done and it didn't really matter where I was in life. But I was totally uncomfortable in everything.

"And all of a sudden 25 hit, and I was like, 'Ah, I think I'm all right'. And actually after 25 it's been pretty good. I definitely feel like I've been around the block a couple of times, and that's great."

However, she's still not so confident that she likes every aspect of being one of the world's most famous actresses, including sitting front row at fashion shows.

"This sounds ridiculous but I don't actually like having my picture taken and I tend to avoid anything where I have that... I would totally sneak in the back! And sit in the back row," she explained.

The star, who is currently filming her next movie role in Can A Song Save Your Life? in New York with the likes of Mark Ruffalo and Adam Levine, also talked about working with another famous Brit, Jude Law.

According to her, Jude looked "brilliant" after takes while filming Anna Karenina, because he kept his wig and make-up on!

"No wonder he kept that hat on... [the make-up and wig] were the worst. Poor f***er. I'd get to the end of the day, take my make-up and wig off, and I'd look s**t. He'd take the make-up and wig off and look f***ing brilliant.

"And everyone would say, 'Oh yeah! Good-looking man underneath!'" she said.

Keira recently became engaged to Klaxons rocker James Righton, and the cool British pair have been spotted around New York looking loved-up and relaxed ahead of their big day. However, despite the fact she'll soon be a Mrs, Keira is all about the women and having females as mates.

She said: "Women get a really bad rep but they're f***ing excellent.

"I keep on having moments with groups of girls where I just think, girls are excellent, like really excellent. There is nothing like a friendship group of women, and for girly nights or whatever. It's the best f***ing thing in the world.

"As much as we can be bitchy and gossipy and all the rest of it, I think equally if there's something actually really wrong, we talk about it and we actually air it. And if it's an argument, then it's an argument, but we actually have it out, as opposed to that festering thing where suddenly you never speak to somebody ever again."

Amen, sister!

Full interview in the September issue of Harper's Bazaar on sale Thursday 2 August. Also available as digital edition.