Bella Hadid’s Iconic Vogue Cover: A Modern Homage to Audrey Hepburn’s Timeless Givenchy Style
Supermodel Bella Hadid, a prominent figure in contemporary fashion, graces the exclusive digital cover of Vogue in a captivating feature titled ‘Bella Takes Paris!’ The editorial, which spotlights Hadid’s remarkable versatility, opens with a breathtaking image of the 22-year-old channeling legendary Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn. In a stunning tribute to Hepburn’s unforgettable appearance in the 1957 musical film Funny Face, Bella dons a custom-made, strapless red Givenchy gown that echoes the elegance of the original. This exquisite piece, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, features a precisely structured bustier that accentuates her silhouette, paired with a dramatically flowing, voluminous skirt. The dress itself, a testament to haute couture craftsmanship, carried a significant price tag of $7,185.
Bella’s interpretation of Hepburn’s iconic look is further enhanced by an array of sophisticated accessories. She is pictured kneeling, creating a statuesque pose, with her ensemble completed by a colossal red feathered hat crafted by Christelle Kocher for Koché, entirely adorned with luxurious ostrich feathers. Adding a touch of gilded glamour, she sports elegant gold Panconesi Riviera earrings and statement chunky green snakeskin Givenchy platform heels, infusing a modern edge into the classic homage. This carefully curated styling masterfully blends vintage allure with contemporary fashion sensibilities.
The historical significance of the red dress is profound. In Funny Face, Audrey Hepburn’s character, Jo Stockton, famously wore a similar strapless red Givenchy gown. Hepburn’s dress, characterized by a refined cuff at the neckline and a subtle side slit, was paired with classic red pointy-toed pumps, a dazzling diamond choker necklace, elegant long white gloves, and a graceful red chiffon shawl. The original look, a masterpiece by Hubert de Givenchy, Hepburn’s long-time collaborator and friend, cemented its place in fashion history as a symbol of timeless elegance and cinematic glamour. Bella Hadid’s recreation not only celebrates this legacy but also reintroduces it to a new generation, showcasing the enduring power of classic design while adding a distinct supermodel flair that is uniquely her own.
Exploring Bella’s Parisian Style Evolution in Vogue
The ‘Bella Takes Paris!’ spread is a sartorial journey, presenting a diverse range of high-fashion ensembles that progressively build on the initial iconic tribute. Each look meticulously crafted by the stylist showcases Bella’s ability to transform and embody different facets of Parisian chic and high fashion drama. The editorial successfully navigates through various aesthetics, from opulent volume to understated sophistication, truly capturing the essence of the city known as the global fashion capital.
Dramatic Silhouettes and Luxurious Textures
Following the striking red Givenchy ensemble, Bella transitions into a look of magnificent volume and theatricality. Her next appearance features a monumental poufy pink silk taffeta Alexander McQueen dress. This exquisite gown, ingeniously crafted from a single piece of fabric, exudes an architectural grandeur characteristic of the McQueen aesthetic. It features a dramatically tight corset bodice that cinches the waist, creating a striking contrast with the voluminous skirt, and is accentuated by a thick black leather belt. The ensemble is grounded with a pair of studded Alexander McQueen black leather platform sandals, adding a touch of rebellious glamour to the opulent design. This look is a clear statement of high-fashion artistry, emphasizing silhouette and texture.
From the grandeur of McQueen, Bella effortlessly shifts to an embodiment of refined Parisian elegance. She slips into a sophisticated black long-sleeve knit Christian Dior polo bodysuit. This sleek one-piece, featuring a classic collar and buttons down the front, perfectly sculpts her figure. She tucks this modern staple into a truly breathtaking, high-waisted Dior skirt. This skirt is a work of art, completely embroidered with an intricate array of colorful flowers that bloom across the fabric, adding vibrancy and artisanal charm. A massive slit on the front of the skirt reveals Bella’s famously long legs, adding a daring and contemporary touch to an otherwise classic silhouette, perfectly capturing the spirit of a chic, confident Parisian woman.
Feathers, Florals, and Daring Details
The fashion journey continues with an exploration of luxurious embellishments and playful patterns. One of the most unforgettable looks from the entire shoot is Bella’s opulent, all-black feathered Balmain ensemble. This sophisticated outfit consists of a long-sleeve sheer black button-down blouse, intricately adorned with delicate beaded embellishments and lavishly covered in feathers, creating a mesmerizing texture and movement. Styled impeccably with the top are a pair of matching feather and embroidered pants, a testament to meticulous craftsmanship and high-end design, with a staggering cost of $19,276. This ensemble perfectly encapsulates Balmain’s signature blend of intricate detail, bold femininity, and luxurious statement pieces.
Contrasting the dark drama of the feathered Balmain, Bella then moves into a vision of soft romance with a white satin Paco Rabanne gown. This elegant dress is exquisitely covered in a vibrant print of red roses, offering a classic yet contemporary floral aesthetic. The gown’s silhouette is noteworthy, featuring a short and form-fitting front that highlights her figure, while the back dramatically expands into a long, thick train, adding a touch of regal elegance. The styling further enhances the playful sophistication of the look, with Bella pairing the dress with sheer polka-dot tights and pristine white Paco Rabanne Mary Jane heels, complete with a bedazzled closure that adds a sparkling detail to her feet. This outfit beautifully balances traditional romantic motifs with modern, edgy accessories.
From Romantic Volume to Cutting-Edge Modernity
The final segment of the Vogue editorial further solidifies Bella Hadid’s standing as a chameleon of high fashion, showcasing her ability to master a diverse array of styles, each more captivating than the last. The progression of outfits underlines a narrative that moves from grand romanticism to bold, contemporary statements, always maintaining an air of effortless chic. The masterful photography by Gordon von Steiner, as credited in the image captions, ensures that each ensemble is presented with dynamic energy and an artistic vision, making the most of Bella’s expressive presence.
One particularly memorable look features an oversized ivory Valentino gown, a piece that beautifully marries dramatic volume with delicate romance. This stunning gown, priced at $8,240, boasts magnificent ruffled sleeves that cascade elegantly, creating a voluminous and ethereal silhouette. The dreamlike quality of the dress is subtly juxtaposed with practical yet stylish nude boots and a charming white prairie hat tied gently under her chin, adding an unexpected, almost rustic touch to the high-fashion grandeur. This ensemble is a testament to Valentino’s ability to create pieces that are both grand and subtly whimsical.
Adding a burst of vibrant color and modern edge, Bella then transforms into a full sequin Balenciaga ensemble, showcasing the brand’s bold and innovative aesthetic. This striking outfit is composed of an off-the-shoulder hot pink sequin top, radiating playful confidence, meticulously tucked into high-waisted, super-tight black sequin skinny jeans. The monochromatic sequin styling creates a dazzling, head-to-toe shimmer that is undeniably eye-catching. A key element defining this look, and perhaps its best part, is the meticulously styled, slicked-back high ponytail. This extra-long ponytail, expertly braided, adds a sleek, futuristic dimension to the ensemble, enhancing the contemporary and daring vibe characteristic of Balenciaga under Demna Gvasalia.
For her grand finale, Bella concludes the Parisian fashion narrative with a breathtaking white satin Chanel suit. This iconic ensemble perfectly embodies the timeless elegance and sophisticated allure synonymous with the legendary French house. The suit, with its impeccable tailoring and luxurious satin fabric, exudes an air of understated power. Adding a daring and modern twist, Bella opts to go completely braless underneath the blazer, injecting a touch of sensual confidence into the classic design. The look is completed with complementary huge earrings and a matching statement necklace, all by Chanel, which beautifully frame her face and draw attention to the décolletage, solidifying her status as a modern muse for one of fashion’s most revered brands. This final look perfectly encapsulates the editorial’s theme: a dynamic exploration of fashion’s past, present, and future through the eyes of one of its most compelling figures.