Anne Hathaway’s iconic 2006 little black dress, featuring a bubble hem and large bow, is influencing the Spring/Summer 2025 season as classic styles like puffball skirts and statement bows make a stylish comeback among today’s fashion icons and designers.
The little black dress (LBD), a perennial favorite in fashion wardrobes worldwide, has once again demonstrated its enduring appeal through the lens of trends from both past and present. A notable example comes from actress Anne Hathaway, who, in 2006, captivated audiences at the Annual Breakthrough of the Year Awards with a striking LBD that has sparked renewed interest ahead of the Spring/Summer 2025 season.
At the event, Hathaway, appearing alongside her The Devil Wears Prada co-star Emily Blunt, showcased a dress that combined classic elegance with distinctive statement details. The garment fitted her perfectly and featured a voluminous bubble hem—a silhouette that has reemerged as a favorite among fashion enthusiasts in 2025. Complementing the skirt was a large bow adorning the bust and a plunging square neckline, design elements that resonate strongly with current trends among fans of coquette core aesthetics. Hathaway completed the look with two-toned heels, adding a modern touch to the ensemble.
The bubble hem, iconic in 2006, is experiencing a resurgence, embraced by younger style icons including Iris Law, Hailey Bieber, and Kylie Jenner. Fashion commentator Tania Leslau expressed personal nostalgia and contemporary relevance, sharing that her “first bubble skirt formed half of the best outfit I owned as a child” and described the style as “a Gen Z staple.” This revival is also evident on recent high-profile stages, such as the 2024 Venice International Film Festival, where actress Taylor Russell appeared in an Alaïa bubble hem dress.
Bows, similarly, have reasserted themselves as a dominant motif in modern fashion. The element has captured the attention of It-girls in East London and beyond, fueled by designs from brands like Simone Rocha, Cecilie Bahnsen, Sandy Liang, and Damson Madder. These designers consistently feature bows in their seasonal collections, reinforcing their status as a symbol of femininity and charm. Alexandra Carello, a luxury brand strategist known for her extensive bow collection, told H! Fashion, “I believe in big bow energy and when you are wearing the right bow you feel decorated and beautiful,” emphasizing the emotional and aesthetic appeal bows carry for many wearers.
The combination of puffball hemlines and prominent bow adornments demonstrated by Anne Hathaway’s 2006 look exemplifies how fashion trends can both honor their origins and evolve into fresh expressions for new generations. This dynamic interplay continues to influence luxury designers and trendsetters alike, highlighting the cyclical nature of fashion and the persistent reverence for the classic LBD.
Source: Noah Wire Services
