At the Toronto International Film Festival, Kaia Gerber’s choice of a white bandage dress pays tribute to her mother while reigniting interest in ’90s fashion among younger audiences.
At the recent Toronto International Film Festival premiere of her film “Shell,” Kaia Gerber captured attention as she opted for a less conventional choice on the red carpet—donning a striking white full-length bandage dress designed by Hervé Léger. This choice paid homage to her mother, the iconic supermodel Cindy Crawford, who famously wore a similar outfit at the 1993 Oscars. “Kaia had sent me a mood board for TIFF and this was one of her references,” Molly Dickson, Gerber’s stylist for the event, shared with Vogue.
This moment not only celebrated a family legacy but also revitalized interest in the Hervé Léger brand among a younger audience. For many in the eldest cohort of Generation Z, the French label’s signature bodycon dresses had seemed almost unattainable, particularly as they fell out of vogue before they reached an age where wearing them felt appropriate. Liana Satenstein, host of the fashion show “Neverworns” and a former writer for Vogue, articulated the dress’s appeal, noting, “Hervé Léger is the ’90s supermodel second-skin.” She further described an Hervé bandage dress as “a bra for your whole body—holding you perfectly in place.”
The enduring allure of this type of dress has spanned beyond the heyday of ’90s supermodels, influencing the fashion scene into the early 2000s during the rise of the Kardashian brand and the popularity of teen dramas like “Gossip Girl.” Such nostalgia has reignited interest among younger generations who missed the initial trend. Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, are filled with content reflecting this resurgence. One viral video, which has garnered over 116,000 likes, expresses the experience of those born in the early 2000s now feeling ready to embrace the originally exclusive fashion—a narrative echoed by others who reference famed characters like Blake Lively’s Serena van der Woodsen.
Chronicling the nostalgic revival of fashion trends, Satenstein noted the current mood surrounding nightlife and sensuality, remarking on how “today, there is an overwhelming sensual mood in the air and a thirst for going out.” This alignment is evident in her recent live shopping event where a rainbow gradient dress by Léger quickly sold out during the live session.
Vogue’s senior beauty and wellness editor, Margaux Anbouba, reminisced about her own fond experiences wearing bandage dresses during the 2000s, highlighting that “Hervé Léger saw me through some of my brightest and boldest moments of the aughts.” She remarked on the confidence the dress provided her, likening it to a “sucked-in sausage casing effect” that was ideal for her favorite activity at the time—dancing in clubs.
As the fashion world cycles through trends, the narrative of the bandage dress appears to be one of nostalgia, empowerment, and rejuvenation, offering a glimpse into how various generations relate to the iconic designs and their cultural significance.
Source: Noah Wire Services
