Being a celebrity has its perks, and one of the biggest is access to the best vintage fashion. Hailey Bieber—beauty mogul, mother, and all-around expert at being famous—is one A-lister who knows how to make the most of it.
For a party at the private Harry’s Bar in London’s Mayfair, held to celebrate Michael Ratner’s entertainment company OBB opening in the city, Hailey pulled out all the stops in a Cerruti by Narciso Rodriguez dress from spring 1997, sourced from My Runway Archive. The champagne-colored, bias-cut, crystal-embellished slip dress was confirmed to be the exact same one Carolyn Bessette Kennedy wore to her wedding rehearsal dinner in 1996.
Rodriguez and Bessette, before she married into the Kennedy family, famously met in 1990 while working together at Calvin Klein. It was CBK’s choice to work with Rodriguez on her wedding dress that helped launch the then relatively unknown designer’s career. Along with the ivory slip he designed for her wedding day, Rodriguez made another dress in the same silhouette for the rehearsal dinner—a look recently brought back into the spotlight by Ryan Murphy’s show, Love Story. More than 30 years later, that same design has found its way onto a modern icon of understated luxury: Hailey Bieber.
Of course, this isn’t the first time Hailey has turned to the CBK playbook. In the same year that Sarah Pidgeon’s portrayal of Carolyn sparked so much discussion, Hailey’s love of ’90s minimalism has been just as well documented—from her straight-leg cigarette jeans to her little black dresses. And while anyone can throw on a button-down shirt and an old Calvin Klein skirt to channel a bit of ’90s New York, if you have access to the real thing, it’s your duty as an A-lister to go the extra mile.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs Hailey Bieber Wearing the 1997 Carolyn BessetteKennedy Dress
The Basics
What dress are we talking about
A white sleeveless column gown with a square neckline and thin straps Carolyn BessetteKennedy wore it in 1997 and Hailey Bieber wore a version of it years later
Who is Carolyn BessetteKennedy
She was a publicist married to John F Kennedy Jr She became a 1990s fashion icon known for her minimalist elegant style
Who is Hailey Bieber
An American model entrepreneur and wife of singer Justin Bieber
When did Hailey wear the dress
She wore it in 2022 at a Rhode skincare launch event
Why did this get so much attention
Because it linked two famous It girls from different eras and people loved the tribute to Carolyns timeless style
The Dress and the Designers
Who designed the original dress
Its most commonly credited to Narciso Rodriguez who designed Carolyns wedding dress The white slipstyle gown she wore in 1997 is often associated with him too
Was Haileys dress the exact same one
No It was a custom design inspired by the original not Carolyns actual dress
Did Carolyn BessetteKennedy only wear this dress once
She wore white slip dresses on several occasions The 1997 look is the one most often referenced
What makes the dress so iconic
Its simplicity No lace no beading no big train just clean lines and perfect tailoring It looked effortless and modern
Why It Matters
Why is this dress considered a big deal in fashion
It represents the quiet luxury or minimalist style that Carolyn helped popularize in the 90s a look that still influences designers today
Why did people compare Hailey to Carolyn
Both are known for understated sleek style and for being in highprofile relationships The dress made the comparison obvious
Was Hailey trying to copy Carolyn
She framed it as a tribute and an homage not a copy She said she was inspired by Carolyns style
Did Carolyns family or friends react
There was no major public backlash Most coverage treated it as a