Vogue World: Hollywood 2025 Proves Cinema has Pushed Fashion to its Most Expressive Form Yet

Olivia McKenley
6 days ago
4 min read

“AND ACTION,” declares Director Baz Luhrmann, not to start a film take but rather to introduce the fashion event of the season: Vogue World.

Vogue World: Hollywood — the fourth event in its history — occurred Oct. 26 on the streets of Paramount Pictures Studios Lot in California.

The event serves as a celebration and intersection of industries: cinema and fashion. Vogue presented a live runway show paying homage to the iconic costumes that made cinema greats, as well as underscoring the designs of today.

Seven acts were crafted, drawing from specific genres or aesthetics. An acclaimed costume designer is entrusted with the reins of eachan act to create a show.

While an entertaining exhibit, Vogue World has a greater philanthropic impact. Funds raised that night were donated to the Entertainment Community Fund, a charity supporting creatives and other film industry workers. his year, in particular, they helped those affected by the recent L.A. fires.

While there was never a dull moment, here is a small glimpse into each act:

Act 1: Hollywood Glamour by Catherine Martin and Prada

Vogue World’s first act was all about classic glamour, reminiscent of 1920s showgirls and flappers. This show featured ensembles with movement, dangling jewels, glitzy embellishments, flowy fabrics, alongside playful textures of fringe, ruffles, and fur.

Nicole Kidman as Satine in Moulin Rouge — Nicole Kidman as Satine in *Moulin Rouge*

Act opener, Kendall Jenner’s look was an exquisite start. Theater fans might have recognized her look from Moulin Rouge (2001) — originally worn by Nicole Kidman in the role of Satine.

Act 2: The Renegades by Colleen Atwood and McQueen

Here, your rebels and oddballs of cinema fashion were channeled. The act incorporated a variety of silhouettes and patterns under a more grim scheme.

Particularly, Model of the Year, Anok Yai, stalked the streets of Paramount Studios as Edward Scissorhands in Atwood’s recreation. The piece was made entirely out of a durable, leathery material — her bodice wrapped in buckled straps. And of course, Yai rattled audiences with glove-like contraptions, protruding Edwards' iconic scissor hands.

Act 3: Historical Heroines by Milena Canonero and Louis Vuitton

Gentility met audacious styling in Canonero’s act. This act included layering, ruffles, pastelles, dramatic headpieces, and above all else, voluminous skirts with even bigger bustles. These more traditional outfits were paired with edgier fads like leather, chain detailing, and skin (a risque touch) — like Act Opener Julia Garner’s, for instance.

The actress wore a Marie Antoinette costume replica from the film. The all-white ball gown included ruffle detailing from the bodice down the skirt. Pink rosettes in her updo and a bold red choker offset the look. Not to mention, as Garner began to strut down the runway, she revealed a flood of red tulle under her skirt to audiences, creating a display of color in motion.

Additionally, while LaKeith Stanfield wasn’t the historical heroine we were all expecting, he certainly made an impression on the runway in his dapper Dior tailcoat.

Act 4: Summer of Love by Arianne Phillips and Marc Jacobs

Act 4 paid homage to the timeless romances popularized on screen during the 1960s and '70s. The overall collection was varied in nature — some pieces felt more upscale, and others more bohemian. Warm tones, embellishment, and texture were defining details.

One standalone look came from actress Cara Delevingne. She sported a custom Marc Jacobs all-snakeskin ensemble. The trench coat and matching heels – ballpark 5 inches high — were chic alongside her brown-tinted sunglasses.

Act 5: Avant-Garde by Sandy Powell and Valentino

This collection masterfully reimagined the Renaissance era, crossing boundaries of time and gender in its pieces. Many of the period classics, like ruffle collars and accentuated shoulders, were constants.

Hunter Schaffer opened the act in one of the original costumes from the film Orlando (1992). Schaffer wore a velveteen doublet, a form-fitting jacket, and round hose, short, full breeches — both often worn by men during the Renaissance period. The ensemble was adorned with a scalloped detailing and paired with green stockings

Act 6: Afrofuturism - Ruth E. Carter and Balmain

Ruth E. Carter is renowned for her eccentric, meticulous designs in Black Panther, and she didn’t spare any measure at Vogue World.

In fact, Black Panther actress Danai Gurira and singer Teyana Taylor wore the original armor of the film’s all-female warrior coalition, The Dora Milaje.

Elements of bold color, accessorizing, and geometric motifs dominated. Actor Keither Powers, wearing Louis Vuitton, was draped in a long African wrapper with a kente-cloth-like design.Additionally, Black Panther actress Angela Bassett wore her original costume from the film, a vibrant purple gown with an ethereal isicholo headpiece.

Act 7: New World - Jacqueline West and Maison Alaïa

The final act aimed to direct minds to cinematic universes that are distant and foreign, like Dune (2021). West artfully combined earthy palettes with those of extraterrestrial, ethereal motifs. Long, flowy trains and furs also gave a glimpse into fashion far, far away.

Actor Tyriq Withers in particular sported a simplistic beige ensemble: a modern jacket and trouser pairing with a sash belt to complement.