A Runway Through Time Fashion, Film, And Fantasy At Vogue World
- Claudia Limaverde Costa
- 4 hours ago
- 5 min read
Where the worlds of art, culture, and fashion converge - Vogue World. A cinematic celebration of creativity, each act is brought to life by an award-winning costume designer, fusing the language of film with the artistry of couture. A breath-taking dialogue between new and archival looks, where costumes and craftsmanship collide beneath the lights of Los Angeles - the beating heart of Hollywood. But beyond the glamour lies purpose. This year’s event carries a powerful philanthropic spirit, with all proceeds from ticket sales supporting costume community professionals affected by the devastating wildfires earlier this year. As Anna Wintour shared in an early press conference, “By mixing fashion, the arts, and culture in the centre of a city and by raising money for a cause Vogue World has become a runway show-as-rallying-cry: a way to capture the attention of a global audience, to bring awareness, and to sound an unmistakable note of positivity, creativity, and hope.” The show was split into seven sections, ranging from Hollywood glamour to historical heroes, culminating in Afrofuturism and the new world.
Act One - Hollywood Glamour.
From The Great Gatsby to Moulin Rouge, the opening act celebrates cinematic opulence, with Miuccia Prada at the helm. One standout look came straight from the 2013 film The Great Gatsby itself: Adut Akech glided down the runway in an ethereal pink lace dress overlaid with crystals, the ensemble completed by a soft fur collar and exquisite pearl accessories. Costume designer Catherine Martin, the creative mind behind The Great Gatsby’s wardrobe, told Vogue that she envisioned “a medley of the 1920s aesthetic with a modern feel rooted in the silhouettes, fabrics, and details of the 1920s, but infused with an energy that would resonate with modern viewers”. Moulin Rouge provided further inspiration, most notably Nicole Kidman’s iconic silver showgirl costume. Kendall Jenner embodied this look in a dazzling silver sequined bodysuit, adorned with tassels, a star appliqué across the bust, and a dramatic tail that shimmered with every step. This act encapsulates the timeless allure of Hollywood, from the golden glitz of the late 19th century to the cinematic splendour of the early 20th century—a love letter to the glamour, drama, and decadence that continue to define the silver screen.
Act Two - Renegades.
This act pays homage to the films that dared to defy convention, the cinematic rebels. Directed by Colleen Atwood, the visionary costume designer behind Edward Scissorhands and Alice in Wonderland, this segment celebrates fashion’s fascination with the unconventional. Anok Yai, dressed in a gothic, bondage-inspired design from Alexander McQueen, perfectly embodied the spirit of Edward Scissorhands, a sculptural look of belted leather, metallic hardware, and, of course, the iconic scissor hands. When asked about her design for the film, Atwood told Vogue the look was conceived as a fusion of bondage-meets-practicality, and slightly Victorian.” Other cinematic inspirations, from The Matrix to Everything Everywhere All at Once, echoed through the act, each illustrating the rebellious allure of breaking rules and rewriting fashion’s own script.
Act Three - Historical Heroes.
Antiquity through a modern lens. Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette costume designer, Milena Canonero, took the reins for this act, reimagining traditional regency attire with a contemporary twist. One standout moment saw Julia Garner channel Coppola’s Marie Antoinette in an ivory ruffled gown straight from the film’s archives. Mid-walk, she lifted the gown to reveal a playful hint of pink tulle beneath—a subtle nod to the coquettish spirit of Versailles. Another exquisite look came from Louis Vuitton, worn by Lila Moss, a modern reinterpretation of an 18th-century court dress. The design featured a sleek, corseted bodice paired with an opulent layered skirt, adorned with delicate yellow floral detailing.
Act Four - Summer of Love.
A celebration of romance and rebellion, this act draws inspiration from the golden age of love stories and the free-spirited energy of the 1960s. Films like West Side Story and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood set the tone as cinematic homages to passion, nostalgia, and freedom. One standout look paid tribute to Margot Robbie’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood wardrobe: the iconic faux python coat, originally worn by Sharon Tate to a London premiere. Designed by Arianna Phillips, the piece captures Tate’s effortless allure and enduring influence on fashion. As Phillips told Vogue, she aimed to “represent Sharon in the most authentic way,” noting that Tate “was an It girl.”
Act Five - Avant-Garde.
A daring fusion of eras and the fluidity of identity, this act explores the artistry of reinvention. Under the creative vision of Sandy Powell, the boundary between past and future dissolves, where historical silhouettes meet modern innovation, and gender becomes an open canvas for expression. One striking look, worn by Alex Consani, perfectly captures the spirit of the act. A regal silk blouse paired with a voluminous bubble skirt nodded to regency court fashion, while a futuristic cape with dramatic folds and polka-dot knee-high tights pushed the ensemble into bold, modern territory. The result was a look that embodied the essence of avant-garde—timeless, experimental, and fearlessly forward.
Act Six - Afrofuturism.
A celebration of ancestry, artistry, and the future, detailed beadwork rich in history and culture. At the helm of this act is Ruth E. Carter, the visionary costume designer behind Malcolm X and Black Panther, both cinematic pillars of Black excellence and empowerment. One look that captivated the audience was worn by Agel Akol: an intricately beaded ensemble alive with colour, fiery oranges, deep reds, earthy browns, and forest greens. Every bead held intention, meticulously braided, strung, and woven to create a tapestry of texture and depth. Under the glow of the lights, the gown shimmered and came to life, each movement revealing the extraordinary craftsmanship that defines Carter’s vision of Afrofuturism—where tradition and innovation converge in radiant harmony.
Act Seven - New World. A vision of the future, where imagination transcends boundaries and fashion becomes a language of possibility. Drawing inspiration from films like Dune and The Revenant, this act explores survival, transformation, and the artistry of reinvention. At the forefront is Jacqueline West, the visionary costume designer behind Dune, working in collaboration with fashion houses such as Maison Margiela Artisanal to push the limits of sartorial innovation. One look that graced the runway was an original costume from Dune itself, a dystopian, armour-like suit rendered in layered tones to evoke both depth and endurance. In contrast, a Maison Margiela creation presented a sculptural vision of femininity: crafted from a single fabric, the design celebrated the structure of the female form while simultaneously conveying motion and fluidity. Its inspiration felt almost classical, reminiscent of a marble statue from the Renaissance, brought to life. This final act brought together an array of influences—cinematic, historical, and futuristic —to form a cohesive vision of what’s next. A fitting conclusion to a journey through time, culture, and creativity - and a glimpse into fashion’s new world.
From Hollywood’s golden age to the avant-garde visions of tomorrow, Vogue World: Los Angeles unfolded as a cinematic love letter to fashion—a symphony of eras, genres, and artistic rebellion. Each act told its own story, celebrating costume as both craft and character, memory and imagination. Guided by the vision of the genre’s most brilliant designers and storytellers, the show transcended the runway to become something larger: a dialogue between film and fashion, between the past that inspires us and the future we dare to create. In the city where dreams are made and remade, Vogue World reminded us that, at its core, fashion is storytelling.
Written by Claudia Limaverde Costa
Edited by Arielle Sam-Alao, Co-Fashion Editor
