L'HISTOIRE: Gwyneth Paltrow's 1996 Red Gucci Suit by Tom Ford
Tom Ford's Gucci era continues to be a fashion lover's gold mine, and Gwyneth Paltrow's look at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards is a treasure to behold.
L’HISTOIRE explores fashion history moments you should know, from what actors wore on a red carpet to celebrities who made cameos on the runway. Some are unsung, and some are better known. Each is part of the fabric of today’s fashion world, be it barrier breakers or culture makers.
Gwyneth Paltrow's rolodex of looks from the 1990s offer endless style inspiration. Case in point? The actor made waves at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards when she arrived in a blood red Gucci suit, by then-Creative Director Tom Ford.
Paltrow paired the velvet ensemble with a loosely untucked baby blue button-down shirt, giving the outfit a laid-back feel. Her collars popped out of the jacket's sleeves and were loosely folded around the cuff. Matching the energy of the outfit, Paltrow's hair was fixed in an easy low bun. This look channels a sense of sultry and androgyny, which was something celebrities seemed to do particularly well in the '90s that still inspires today.
During Ford's tenure as Gucci's creative director, he became known for his minimalistic and glamorous designs that played with simple color palettes. The Gucci by Tom Ford woman was both sexy and serious, inspiring many fashion lovers and online communities (like @tomfordforgucci) today. Paltrow was exactly that woman at the 1996 VMAs.
The lasting effects of this look have been seen in recent years, with Paltrow herself replicating and paying homage to the outfit at the Gucci Love Parade in 2021. Former Gucci Creative Director Alessandro Michele (who now helms Valentino) brought a glittering, high-profile crowd to Hollywood Boulevard to view the Italian label's Spring/Summer 2022 collection.
The androgynous suit trend has also made a powerful return in 2024, especially in thanks to Saint Laurent's Spring/Summer 2025 collection where models like Bella Hadid sauntered down the runway in fashionably oversized suits. Paltrow sat front row at the tailoring-heavy show. Since that debut, stars like Hailey Bieber have rocked the look.
Want to channel Paltrow's red, Gucci suit outfit? Keep your makeup and hair minimal while looking for a bright and tailored set (like Lafayette 148's blazer or Argent's blood red top) with a crisp button-up (like Buck Mason's top) beneath it. The fact that this look still feels fashionable today is evidence that pushing sartorial boundaries is important, as is sticking to what works in your wardrobe.
