As someone who chronicles the off-duty ensembles of the celebrity style set—and yes, I’ll even admit to following a few dedicated ‘closet of…’ accounts on social media—I have a relatively robust understanding of the ins and outs of the wardrobes of fashion’s favorites.
However, it wasn’t until I saw an image of Hailey Bieber flanked between Austin Butler and Blackpink’s Rosé on the front row of Saint Laurent’s Paris Fashion Week show that I clocked a sort of sartorial trickery that happened under our very noses.
You see, to watch the French luxuriate’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection presentation, I had anticipated Bieber returning to her tried-and-tested Anthony Vaccarello-designed silhouette; an ever-so-slightly sheer, skin-tight, monochromatic, maxi dress.
Then, I saw Bieber’s look from another angle.
Her bare back exposed for all of Paris to see, with the dress cut out just below her shoulders to create the appearance of a bolero from behind. I was somewhat surprised.
“Isn’t this the dress she wore to celebrate the launch of Rhode Beauty into Canada?” I thought to myself.
One look through the aforementioned Instagram account doubled down on my suspicion. It was a similar backless silhouette—save for this dress’ suede fabrication and turtleneck finish—yet, this one was designed by Maximilian Davis for Ferragamo, debuting in the Italian house’s SS23 collection, (also known as Davis’ debut)
You see, Bieber has secretly made this silhouette the backbone of her going-out wardrobe, with us unbeknownst to her penchant for the backless look.
In June, she reprised the silhouette in a baby blue color way, wearing a custom-made Fanci Club variation to a wedding with her husband, Justin Bieber.
On the red carpet, Bieber has taken the open-back dress for a spin, too. Let us not forget the boldest bare back moment; her plunging Barbie pink Alexander Wang dress for the ‘Notes On Camp’-themed 2019 Met Gala.
Perhaps we’ve become so accustomed to Bieber sport sensual mini dresses, 90s sportif attire or Australian labels as part of her street style arsenal, that we’ve omitted noticing Bieber’s fondness for the look. And as someone with the social calendar of a supermodel-turned-supermogul, it’s easy to see why Bieber gravitates towards the shape.
Not only is it super flattering and sculpts her figure, but it’s entirely effortless courtesy of the one-and-done fit while remaining sexy and sophisticated thanks to the daring cutout. Baby’s got back, and Bieber’s not afraid to show it.
Below, relive Bieber’s most spine-tingling backless moments yet.
Hailey Bieber’s Best Backless Dress Moments
