Despite archival fashion being a mainstay in fashion’s lexicon for a few years now, the mode of pulling vintage pieces for public events has finally become a mainstay fixture within Hollywood’s realm of red carpet dressing. At the 2024 Oscars—the zenith of film and fashion—this came to the fold in Carey Mulligan’s custom recreation of a 1951 Balenciaga gown and Laverne Cox’s vintage Mugler.
But at the 2024 Vanity Fair After Party, Euphoria actress Sydney Sweeney has proved that you don’t need to dip into a fashion house’s history to make a statement, but you can look to the ensembles worn by your leading lady forebears, too.
Indeed, the Anyone But You actress arrived at the star-studded event wearing none other than the plunging satin gown worn by none other than Angelina Jolie at the 2004 Oscars. (Given Jolie’s recent career pivot into intention-driven and community-led fashion design, we can imagine this sustainable choice to opt for a pre-loved piece would’ve earned the actress’ stamp of approval—if not her ire for not being asked to create something specifically for Sweeney!)
Taking to the step and repeat, the 26-year-old delivered a Marilyn Monroe fantasy with her plunging blonde locks cropped into a sultry bob. The old Hollywood vision continued throughout the Marc Bouwer piece, which featured a glossy ivory finish, plummeting halter neck bodice and soft train. Similar to Jolie, Sweeney styled the dress with a satin sheath that hung around wrists and draped along the backs of her legs.
Jolie chose the piece for the 76th Academy Awards where she presented New Zealand director Peter Jackson with the Oscar for ‘Best Art Direction’ for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. The film made Oscars history that night with an 11-category sweep, picking up every award it was nominated for. Is Sweeney perhaps hoping this critical acclaim will rub off on her by osmosis?
Some may say that Sweeney’s pulling of this look is a deep cut from Oscar’s history. But if she were really up for risks, we’d love to see her try to emulate Jolie’s “succubus chic” column gown and goth black locks from the 2000 Oscars. This piece was also designed by Bower, but considering it was worn by Jolie the night she took home the award for ‘Best Supporting Actress’ in Girl, Interrupted, we wonder if this silhouette is in the 48-year-old’s safekeeping. Just asking for a friend, does anyone happen to have her number?
