A Christian Siriano show is bound to have a few surprises in store, whether it’s spotting an unexpected famous face in the front row or a supermodel sighting on the runway. On Wednesday, the designer kicked off New York Fashion Week with a very exciting guest in attendance — none other than Janet Jackson.
The superstar singer arrived to the designer’s Spring/Summer 2023 show in a sheer high-collar top with a black bra exposed underneath. She teamed it with black wide-leg pants and a matching blazer. As Jackson made her way up the stairs of the venue to her front-row seat, all show-goers phone’s went up to capture the unexpected moment.
“I’ve wanted to dress Janet my whole life,” Siriano told AP News. “She was everything I wanted growing up. She was it.”
Jackson has really kicked off the Spring-Summer 2023 season with a bang. A day earlier, she was honored with the Icon of the Year Award at Harlem’s Fashion Row 15th Anniversary Fashion Show and Style Awards Afterparty.
She most recently rocked a Christian Siriano ensemble to the 2022 Rose Ball in July, and shared her love of Siriano on Instagram, posting a video recapping her time at the show and hanging out with the designer afterward at a dinner where his VIP guests toasted with Sterling Vineyards wine. “I LUV you @csiriano 😘,” she wrote in the caption.
The setting was very fitting for such a superstar sighting. The show took place inside Elizabeth Taylor’s former townhome in midtown Manhattan, where the actress lived in the ’50s. The French Renaissance Revival building has been converted into an art space, The Elizabeth Collective, and perfectly fit the inspiration for the designer. According to the AP, in addition to Taylor he also called to mind Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Bianca Jagger and Judy Garland as muses.
“I was watching the girls do rehearsal and I was like, oh my God, imagine Elizabeth Taylor in her heels walking up these marble steps. How fabulous. It’s so cool to be here,” Siriano told the outlet.
Siriano delivered on Old Hollywood glamour — there were his signature opulent gowns paired with elbow-length gloves and extra-wide-brimmed hats. There were sleek suits featuring wide belts and strong shoulders, and plenty of dresses ready for a red carpet moment, including bold red looks with ruffled peplums and hems. The midi-length black dresses looked like something straight from an Audrey Hepburn film, and the ball gowns with full tulle skirts are something we’ll be keeping an eye out to see if they end up on the Emmys red carpet next week.
Supermodel Karen Elson started the show, which also included famous faces like Martha Hunt, Candice Huffine and Alessandra Garcia gracing the runway.
Of course, Siriano’s besties including Alicia Silverstone and Coco Rocha were front and center to take in all the action.
Another season, another memorable show from Siriano.
