Reviving the old is the new sartorial way of making statements. Never before has the fashion industry ever played with vintage, timeless pieces with such flair. In 2024, red carpets were redefined, showcasing some of the most prized archival pieces. From Kendall Jenner gracing the MET Gala 2024, themed ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,’ in a fall 1999 Givenchy haute couture gown designed by Alexander McQueen to Taylor Russell stunning in a Spring 1995 John Galliano creation at the Venice Film Festival, 2024 was a year where archival masterpieces stole the spotlight.
As we step into the 2024 red carpet season, let’s take a journey through the iconic styles of previous eras, seamlessly merging the elegance of vintage treasures with a contemporary flair.
Zendaya in Archival Mugler
If there’s one star who knows how to capture everyone’s attention with her fashion choices, it’s Zendaya. For her movie Dune: Part Two’s press tour, she rocked the London red carpet in Mugler’s Couture suit from the Autumn/Winter 1995 collection. She enhanced her armour suit with a diamond sapphire necklace, a sleek hairdo, minimal makeup, and a nude bodysuit within.
Radhika Merchant in Dior
A 2024 fashion roundup is incomplete without mentioning the Ambanis. Among the many stunning outfits Radhika Merchant Ambani wore during their wedding celebrations, one scene-stealing piece stood out: a pink cocktail midi dress by Christian Dior from 1959, from the collection that was designed by Yves Saint Laurent. Radhika wore the Dior dress during one of their four-day celebration, titled La Dolce Vita, held in the picturesque Portofino, Italy.
Bella Hadid in Archival Versace
Bella Hadid captivated audiences in 2024 with her impeccable archival looks. Whether it was a Versace mini dress perfect for a day out or a breathtaking black halter-style gown from the Atelier Versace Spring-Summer 2001 collection, she consistently delivered fashion perfection. Bella wore the latter to the premiere of L’Amour Ouf at the Cannes Film Festival, showcasing her impeccable fashion sense.
Rihanna in Christian Lacroix
Rihanna certainly stole the spotlight at the British Fashion Awards, wearing Christian Lacroix’s Fall 2002 archival attire. Her ensemble featured a blue fur coat with an asymmetrical hemline and a black gathered dress that had a plunging neckline, complemented by an oversized hat. She added her personal touch with leather opera gloves, a splash of diamond jewellery, and strappy black stilettos.
Naomi Campbell in Chanel
Supermodel Naomi Campbell made another unforgettable appearance at Cannes, gracing the red carpet in a vintage Chanel gown originally designed by Karl Lagerfeld for the 1996 runway. The gown, featuring sheer tulle panels, a black sequined base, and pearl-studded straps, showcased timeless elegance. Nearly three decades later, she had the privilege of wearing the iconic masterpiece once again.
Anya Taylor-Joy in Paco Rabanne
Anya Taylor-Joy made a scene-stealing entrance in an archival Paco Rabanne Haute Couture mini dress from the Spring/Summer 1996 collection at the Sydney Premiere of Furiosa. The dress, adorned with towering arrow-like spikes that echoed its unique motifs, was paired with a dramatic silver headpiece, also crafted by Paco Rabanne.
Blake Lively in Versace
Blake Lively turned heads at the It Ends With Us premiere, dazzling in an archival Versace gown. Previously worn by Britney Spears, the one-shoulder dress featured impeccable floral detailing and intricate motifs. A perfect confluence of glamour and nostalgia, the archival creation served as a heartfelt nod from Lively to Spears.
Miley Cyrus in Bob Mackie
Miley Cyrus captivated the audience as she took to the stage in an exquisite archival Bob Mackie dress, a rare vintage gem from Fall 2022. The dress boasted a daring ab-baring cut-out, ornate with hand-beaded and encrusted in crystal and silver rhinestones, creating a dazzling effect under the stage lights. Crafted by the King of Glitz, this ensemble was the perfect design to honour her history-making moment on the stage.
In 2024, archival fashion became the ultimate hallmark of a true fashion icon. Getting their hands on the rarest of archival masterpieces, celebrities have raised the bar for fashion. These stunning ensembles demonstrate how classic looks may be updated with contemporary flair to create striking and memorable statements. By fusing nostalgia with modern style, each ensemble tells a distinct tale and demonstrates how timeless fashion is.
