The 'Beetlejuice' actress responds to the heated debate among fans on whether she or Kendall Jenner was 'the first human' to actually wear an archival Givenchy dress.
- July 12, 2024
AceShowbiz - A fashion storm brewed at the 2024 Met Gala when Kendall Jenner claimed she was the first person to wear a vintage Givenchy dress from the Fall-Winter 1999 Haute Couture collection, designed by Alexander McQueen.
"I'm the first human to wear it. It showed on a mannequin," she said during a red carpet interview with Vogue, expressing her honor at wearing the rare garment. However, social media erupted with skepticism and criticism.
The supermodel wore the exquisite black and nude tulle dress, featuring a sculpted neckline, shoulder cut-outs, and intricate hand embroidery that took over 500 hours to complete. Fans were quick to challenge her assertion, pointing out that Winona Ryder had donned a similar gown in a 1999 Flaunt Magazine photoshoot.
An industry source later claimed that Ryder's dress was actually a replica and not the original runway piece. This was bolstered by Givenchy's official statement, affirming Jenner's version was the original archival piece, which had only ever been displayed on a bust form before the 2024 Met Gala.
"Look 14 HC FW99 was not worn in the past, and was only presented on a bust form," the fashion house declared, confirming the dress had been preserved in the Givenchy Archives until Jenner's appearance.
Winona Ryder, known for her roles in "Beetlejuice" and "Little Women," has heard of the controversy. In a recent cover story with Harper's Bazaar, Ryder seemingly hinted that she did try on the original during her 1999 Flaunt shoot. "I did wear it. I have pictures," she stated. "The photographer gave me some prints."
Whether it's Jenner's or Ryder's version, the Givenchy dress from Alexander McQueen's 1999 collection has certainly earned its place in fashion history, thanks to its intricate design and the passionate debate it has ignited.
