As is her way, Taylor can only be consistently expected to do one thing: subvert expectations. Swiftly (some might say) bypassing an opportunity to plug any of the three albums she’s either released, or is on the precipice of releasing, she went straight to a very reputation-coded Versace gown. The likes of famed supermodel lore or legendary Liz Hurley status. It’s sexy, it’s slinky, it’s very distinctively signature Versace - using Medusa-embossed buttons in a pseudo snap closure style instead of the more overt safety pin (this detail continues on the strappy open criss-cross back all the way down the back to the end of her train, which is worth a look on its own).
I personally love a classic Versace look such as these. They’ve been done, and done a lot. But I can’t fight a classic sexy siren gown like this. The decision to forego Taylor’s signature red lip, I think, is a smart one that prevents the look from going too overboard. In my opinion, the styling choices were either pile on the jewels or pile on the crimson lip. And Taylor/her team went for the former - something that’s atypical of her style. The mussed hair with the trailing pieces left out of their updo feel “roll out of bed” intimate and sensual and feels akin to the curly bangs from the reputation photoshoot. But I can’t help but think an uber sleek blowout could have been great here.
If indeed a nod to reputation, I’ve always seen that album as one of two diametrically opposed forces: the external perceptions of who you are vs the internal realizations of the life you’re quietly building. To use a dress with so many asymmetrical details (the bodice, the straps, and even in the movement of the button detailing literally splicing her in half) as an embodiment of that would be quite appropriate. It’s also a smart use of a brand’s signature design details to (possibly) use for your own means.
Not to mention this is precisely the kind of dress at least I would envision buying so someone else could take it off.
Worn with: Anita Ko + Maria Tash + VCA + David Webb + Ita + vintage jewelry, Foundrae + Jacquie Aiche + vintage bracelets, and Jimmy Choo sandals
first artist in history to win video of the year at VMAs four times and first artist in history to win best direction thrice. winning 9 VMAs tonight in total sweeping the major categories!!! <3
Anita Ko 'Stacked Diamond Ear Cuff' - $5,297.00
Maria Tash 'Floating Diamond Tassel Hoop' - $25,300.00
Van Cleef & Arpels 'Onyx and Diamond Ring' - $12,000.00
David Webb 'Diamond Ring' - quote available upon request to designer
Ita Jewelry 'Eterno Pavé Ring' - $1,480.00
Joseph Saidian & Sons vintage diamond necklace' - $65,000.00
Anita Ko 'Triangle Eternity Choker' - $43,574.00
Over the last few candid appearances, we’ve seen Taylor experimenting more with the fine art of a necklace stack and I can’t help but playfully wonder if it was in part a lead up (or inspired by) the layered styling for her MTV VMAs appearance.
The ‘more is more’ approach to accessorizing here is fun to observe, as Taylor doesn’t typically pile it on this excessively for red carpets. But it does up the ‘messy glam’ factor of her gown and mussed, spilling out updo.
Worn with: Versace gown, Foundrae + Jacquie Aiche + vintage bracelets, and Jimmy Choo sandals