L’HISTOIRE: Kate Moss’ Shoulder-Baring Take on the Little Black Dress in 1995
Moss' marabou-touched number by Jean Dessès remains one of her most show-stopping looks.
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.
Few garments have stood the test of fashion’s shifting tides like the little black dress. From Coco Chanel’s revolutionary 1920s design to its glamorous reinventions by Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Hurley, the LBD has cemented its place as a wardrobe essential. In November 1995, Kate Moss emerged in the classic look and made it clear just how much her star power extended off the runway.
While attending Frank Sinatra’s eightieth birthday celebration, a young, 21-year-old Moss donned a vintage off-the-shoulder black cocktail dress by Jean Dessès, trimmed with marabou feathers. The frock, a playful yet elevated take on the little black dress, perfectly encapsulated Moss’ ability to make vintage silhouettes feel refined and contemporary. She fashioned her tousled hair into an updo that effectively juxtaposed the dress’ refined elegance. The ensemble radiated an air of revelry, hinting that the night’s fun wouldn’t end when the party did.
The look is one the supermodel's greatest hits, so much so that nearly a decade later, Moss revisited the feather-trimmed get-up for Coty’s 100th anniversary celebration in 2004. Not only is the look a testament to the timelessness of her sartorial instincts, but it's also proof repeating that repeating a look is absolutely worth doing. At the 2018 Met Gala—which was her first time being back in almost a decade—Moss donned an adjacent look, wearing a Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello design with jet-black ostrich feathers.
Moss’ modeling journey has spanned over three decades, beginning with her discovery at JFK Airport at the age of 14. At just 5’7”, she defied the industry’s height standards of the time, helping to usher in an era of androgynous allure with her waifish figure and delicate features. Her influence has transcended trends, proving that true style is as much about attitude as it is about the clothes.
Whether adorned with feathers or reimagined for the Met Gala, Moss’ iterations remind us why she remains one of fashion’s most enduring icons. The look has come a long way over the years, and it’s safe to say the little black dress will remain a wardrobe staple. To emulate Moss’ ensemble, go for Lamarque’s thigh-slit number, LPA’s strapless option, or Superdown’s more affordable take.
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