Over the weekend, Adele performed during her five-month residency at The Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas — and made a little fashion history along the way. The British songstress donned designer Harris Reed’s first custom ensemble for the house of Nina Ricci since the 26-year-old was named the youngest creative director to helm the Parisian label in September.
The look was the perfect addition to her wide array of stage-worthy style. Adele sported a handcrafted black velvet off-the-shoulder floor-length gown, featuring voluminous circular tulle bishop sleeves embellished with sequin and Swarovski crystal-encrusted polka-dot embroidery, marking the first custom creation for the brand in five years.
Styled by Jamie Mizrahi, the star accessorized with Yessayan jewelry, a black manicure, and of course, her signature cateye beauty look. She styled her honey blonde hair into a tight, braided bun with a middle part.
“I am honored to dress somebody that completely embodies, magnifies and shines with true femininity,” Reed wrote on Instagram. “Adele wears a hand embellished polka-dot gown, the polka-dot being a strong Nina Ricci archival brand code.”
Reed took a moment to commemorate the major milestone. “It’s hard to put into words what this moment means to me,” the designer wrote. “It often feels as if the entire culmination of my life’s work has led to this moment. I am so proud and humbled to be working with my amazing Nina team and every single person along the way who has helped me get to this point.”
Reed continued, “If you had told me when I was a first year at CSM that I’d be dressing Adele as the Creative Director of Nina Ricci… I never would have been able to fathom the path that got me here. The experiences I’ve had, the opportunities I’ve gotten, all the hard work, long days, sleepless nights, and tears of joy. The ride has been incredible, and I can’t wait to see how it continues to unfold.”
The fashion darling’s debut collection for Nina Ricci will debut in February 2023 during Paris Fashion Week — and Reed said Adele’s dress represents a “new vision for the brand in a small nod of what’s to come.”
As the youngest creative director to helm the 90-year-old heritage brand, the Central Saint Martins alum has made a name for himself with his eponymous label, churning out exuberant and theatrical gender-fluid demi-couture creations.
Just two weeks ago, Reed secured the Leader of Change Award at the 2022 Fashion Awards for his boundary-pushing designs.
Adele has championed Reed’s creations before, wearing a dramatic polka-dot pussy bow blouse with a cinched corset and maxi skirt with jewelry from the Harris Reed X Missoma collection in her 2022 “Oh My God” music video.
The 30 artist was forced to postpone her “Weekends with Adele” residency before its original January premiere but assured her dedicated fans it would be worth the wait, and clearly she’s delivered on that promise.
“One of Adele’s superpowers is the ability to give you déjà vu in the right way,” the star’s stylist Mizrahi told the Wall Street Journal. “Even when she does something new or modern, it feels like the same Adele you first fell in love with. That’s the look we’re going for.”
After taking the stage in Schiaparelli, Givenchy, Carolina Herrera, Valentino, and this landmark Nina Ricci confection, Mizrahi has called in about 20 dreamy fashion pieces for Adele’s Vegas tenure with more to see from fashion houses Versace, Paco Rabanne, Loewe, and Proenza Schouler.
