Vogue World: Hollywood - Where Fashion Meets Film

Vogue World : Live Review & Reaction

Vogue world is the combination of film with a runway show. It is theatrical, cultural and performative in every way. With each year transforming a city into a stage where the latest runway pieces are displayed and performance takes over, there is music, cinema, couture, and storytelling.

And this year we were given - Hollywood! Held in the Paramount Pictures Studios Lot in Los Angeles, of course dragging in an impressive audience including front row viewers Miley Cyrus, Hailey Bieber, Demi Lovato, Gwyneth Paltrow, Rita Ora, Dakota Johnson, Madison Beer, Sofia Richie and so many more! 

Started off with an opening trailer from Maude Apatow, which quickly cut to scenes from Cynthia Erivo acting in a separate movie etc. Lots of advertisements placed all around - very good ad placement. 

The entire theme of this year's Vogue World is Hollywood, and whatever was about to happen I knew they’d have a tough time beating last year's absolutely spectacular performance in Paris. It was so thrilling and cinematically enjoyable that people still talk about it now. 

Watch the livestream here (if you haven't already!) -

Opening Act: The Showgirl!

Nicole Kidman led the entrance, wearing a custom Chanel gown inspired by Rita Hayworth’s iconic dress in the film Gilda (1946), as she seemingly is acting out a scene and then begins to be directed - by none other than Baz Luhrmann himself!!! He directed her with passion and experience through the lot as she comes into view to the audience. As if she were actually filming a movie scene, with all the audience seated in Director chairs.

Already very strategic and very Hollywood. 

The next yell of “ACTION” from Baz called for ‘KJ’ - Kendall Jenner, to come sweeping down the dysfunctional runway in the original bodysuit worn by Nicole Kidman in the film Moulin Rouge (2001), a full circle moment as Kidman had just walked before her. Kendall played ‘The Showgirl’ - opening Act 1 which was based heavily on the golden age of Hollywood with looks inspired by flappers, showgirls, and songbirds. 

There have since been many comments about Kendall’s walk and its pace - as she was practically running trying to get her shift over with, but she looked wholly ethereal. 

With the opening walk complete many more models came strutting out in pieces from the depths of designer archives, or even from the very cupboards of fashion houses as some looks were that of SS26 - just merely a few weeks old. 

Every model walking with much more than usual, they were actors for the day - and they all took it very seriously. Included in this outstanding selection of models was Kyle MacLachlan who was met with a very impressive applause when he appeared graciously walking down the runway in a baby blue Tom Ford dressing gown, that was so iconic it could have been worn as his sunday best! Behind him, of course were more stars, including Adut Akech and the impossibly elegant Elizabeth Debicki.

Act 2: A love letter to the Renegades

And all of a sudden the tone shifts, as Act 2 takes centre stage with smoke machines and  ‘extras’ changing the setting who are still impeccably dressed start setting the scene for Anok Yai to make her acting debut as Edward Scissor hands. Anok Yai brought the theatrics, and certainly had her fun acting as Edward Scissorhands - someone get this girl an acting job!! 

Gabbriette comes out in Schiaparelli, walking with an eerie atmosphere, as the camera cuts back to Anok who is cutting the audience's hair - really playing into the theme. Amelia Gray comes out as well, a twin to Gabbriette. The entire vibe of this Act shows the diversity of Vogue - going from Showgirls to gothic Renegades.

Kodi Smit-McPhee did an amazing job playing the Mad Hatter, and as the act draws to a close we can see Anok giving Gabbriette a makeshift haircut in true Edward Scissorhands style, as Louise Jacobson stomped down the runway as Scissorhands in custom McQueen. 

Act 3: Let them eat Cake 

Act 3 was seemingly based on Marie Antoinette, with Julia Garner dressed elegantly as the Queen. Who then began skipping down the catwalk with unprecedented confidence. Dressed in Manolo, and channelling entirely Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette cult classic. As Alex Consani, and so many others followed Garner on the set with trays of pastries, rails of petticoats and lace, chandeliers and even glass slippers! 

As the act continued LaKeith Stanfield continued the opulent vibe, as did the models coming behind him - including a whole Dior ensemble, one of which was my favourite baby blue woven dress by Jonathan Anderson SS26 and an elegant Greta Lee, all of which was Dior! 

RIP Diane Keaton

Tribute to Annie Hall

Following the industry’s recent and heartbreaking loss of Diane Keaton, model Betsy Gaghan nodded to one of the legend’s most beloved looks from the 1977 rom-com, dressed entirely in Ralph Lauren which was pieced together specially for the occasion.

As the sound of Keaton herself singing Carmen Lombardo and John Jacob Loeb’s “Seems Like Old Times” came in through the speakers. The audience were teary eyed and were very much in need of some tissues.

Act 4: Gracie Abrams takes centre stage

Kicking off act four, Gracie Abrams really brought the vibes as the entire set was moved once more with golf buggies and light fixtures being swarmed up. Abrams got loaded off a truck which held her band as she gave a sweet rendition of Carole King’s “I Feel the Earth Move”, before transitioning to her own song “That’s So True”.

Gracies Performance was amazing!

As models sporting looks inspired by a myriad of Hollywood Classics (Once upon a Time in Hollywood, A complete Unknown, Grease, etc…) swarmed all around her including Cara Delevingne in custom Marc Jacobs, and Lila Moss in Valentino, even Conan Gray, and Sombr who made their runway debuts! 

Act 5: Bowie 

Hunter Schafer came out with attitude and an energy that completely shifted the story, as she munched on an apple wearing Tilda Swinton’s plush period dress from the ravishing 1992 drama Orlando. She was joined by lusciously dressed jesters, knights, elegant ladies and above all - Jeff Goldblum who sparkled in Gucci and strutted as if his life depended on it! 

Part of this ensemble had Alex Consani closing the act by running down the runway in couture Valentino made of a circle cloak with an oversized ruffle collar, complete with bloomers and a cream peasant blouse! Very Fab, to quote the icon herself! 

Act 6: AfroFuturism 

An all star cast came out and absolutely devoured the catwalk with Black Panthers core leader Dora Milaje channeled by Danai Gurira and Teyana Taylor. There was Jodie Turner - Smith in Diotima, F1’s Damson Idris in Dries Van Noten.

This might be my favourite Act!

It was confident and empowering - a total knockout. So much colour oozing from the outfits, cultural significance in each and every one. The artistry is honourable and insane to see. As Angela Basset came out as Queen Ramonda to close out the Act - some even rose to give a standing ovation. It was superb to watch. 

Finale: Doja Cat X Dune 

As the show draws to a close we see Loli Bahani come out in a Dune inspired look, followed by Angelina Kendall dressed in couture Maison Margiela. These looks were insane, Doja Cat sauntered in singing “Gorgeous” in a custom chainmail mini dress by designer Michael Schmidt.

So many beautiful faces walked in Dune-esque clothes, directly juxtaposed by the opposite side wearing shimmering, ethereal gowns and garments - one of which was the fibre glass jacket from Bottega Veneta by Louise Trotter SS26! 

In the show’s final moments, everyone returned for their bow - which was insane to look at via a screen, I can only imagine how overwhelming it would be to see that amount of talent and insane artistry in each and every look in real life! 

To close the show entirely Luhrmann came back out as the audience was elated, declaring “It’s a wrap!”

Conclude:

Honestly I loved the set-up of this year's Vogue World, it was very much giving Hollywood Glamour - which in this state of the world sometimes comes across as the real life ‘Hunger Games’ , and I couldn't agree more, however from an entirely fashion obsessed viewpoint it was masterful in every way. Not better than Paris last year, but a close second! 

Did you enjoy it? 

With love, 

Mimi x