Sabrina Carpenter arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Sabrina Carpenter turned heads at the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, by wearing the exact gown Madonna famously wore to the Oscars 33 years ago. This gown, designed by legendary fashion icon Bob Mackie, was previously seen on Madonna at the 1991 Academy Awards, where she attended with Michael Jackson. Madonna’s influence was felt throughout the event, even though she wasn’t there in person.
The white satin dress with a deep-V neckline was adorned with sequins, pearls, and crystals, making it one of the most memorable outfits of the night. Sabrina Carpenter, nominated for seven awards that evening, walked the red carpet in what is now a piece of fashion history. The gown was a tribute not only to Madonna but also to old Hollywood glamour. Madonna herself wore it in honor of Marilyn Monroe, bringing yet another layer of homage to the mix.
Bob Mackie originally designed the dress for a Vanity Fair cover shoot with Madonna. Afterward, Madonna requested a custom version to wear at the Oscars, where she performed “Sooner or Later” from the film Dick Tracy. The gown also made appearances in Madonna’s controversial 1992 book “Sex” and was later worn by actress Fran Drescher in a 1994 episode of The Nanny.
The outfit was a perfect blend of nostalgia and modern style, and Sabrina Carpenter’s team, led by stylist Jared Ellner, ensured that every detail was on point. Ellner found the gown through Tab Vintage, a Los Angeles-based vintage clothing studio, known for sourcing unique fashion pieces. Alexis Novak, the founder of Tab Vintage, expressed her excitement over the collaboration, revealing that Carpenter and her team had come to her with an “incredible moodboard.”
Sabrina’s homage didn’t stop with the gown. After a jaw-dropping entrance, she changed into a corseted bodysuit designed by Victoria’s Secret for her performance. This second outfit, embellished with 18,500 crystal beads, took over 180 hours to create. The performance itself featured a medley of her hits, including “Espresso,” “Please Please Please,” and “Taste,” which captivated the audience and later earned her the VMA for Song of the Year.
The night was not just about fashion and music for Sabrina Carpenter. Her performance featured a bold moment when she shared a kiss with a dancer in an alien costume, a clear reference to Madonna’s infamous kiss with Britney Spears at the 2003 VMAs. Throughout the night, she paid tribute to pop icons, merging the past with the present in her own unique way.
Sabrina Carpenter’s decision to wear Madonna’s gown is just the latest in a string of high-profile stars reviving iconic fashion pieces. Kim Kardashian recently caused a stir when she wore a dress originally designed for Marilyn Monroe at the 2022 Met Gala. Although Mackie called that choice a “big mistake,” he seemed much more supportive of Sabrina’s nod to Madonna, even sharing a post on Instagram about the story behind the gown.
The vintage fashion trend continues to make waves, with stars like Zendaya, Miley Cyrus, and Anya Taylor-Joy also sporting Bob Mackie designs in recent years. These reemergences of timeless pieces underscore the lasting influence of 20th-century fashion, and Sabrina’s moment at the VMAs solidifies her place among today’s fashion-forward artists.
Sabrina Carpenter’s red carpet moment wasn’t just about reviving an old gown. It was about celebrating a legacy — one that spans decades and links together some of the most influential women in entertainment. By wearing Madonna’s iconic dress, she not only honored the Queen of Pop but also cemented herself as one of the rising stars to watch in the years to come.
Her night at the MTV Video Music Awards was filled with big moments, from her stunning fashion choices to her unforgettable performance. But the Madonna tribute, with all its nostalgia, stole the show. It wasn’t just about wearing a dress — it was about making a statement. And Sabrina Carpenter made hers loud and clear.
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