Behind The Times: Olivia Rodrigo Wears A Dress That’s Older Than Her

Age is just a number for this pairing.
olivia rodrigo mugler
Olivia Rodrigo at the Variety Hitmakers Brunch held at nya West on December 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

When you have access to all the fashion in the world, it’s only right to seek out something extra special. At just 21, Olivia Rodrigo has already cemented herself as a connoisseur of vintage, consistently breathing new life into forgotten runway archives for red carpets. But with her latest ensemble, she proves age is just a number in a dress that predates her existence.

At the 2024 Variety Hitmakers Brunch in Los Angeles, the singer turned up in a 1998 Thierry Mugler creation: a sleek little black dress given a modern chop. Featuring a tuxedo-inspired neckline, halter straps, and a structured silhouette, the dress was initially designed with a slitted pencil skirt that fell to the knee. Rodrigo’s version boasted a mini hemline to form the ultimate LBD.

What makes the look even more intriguing is its timeline. At 26 years old, the dress is actually older than Rodrigo herself, who was born in 2003.

Olivia Rodrigo attends the Variety Hitmakers Brunch at NYA WEST on December 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

As she’s demonstrated over the years, the pop star isn’t one to go over the top with accessories or glam, preferring to have her statement dresses shine. For this occasion, she opted for simple patent black pumps—Saint Laurent’s La Scandale silhouette—with a retro high ponytail. Adding to the ’90s charm, she donned a bright red manicure and nude-ombre lips with a thick black cat-eye.

In contrast to her understated take, the original runway look included dramatic opera gloves and stockings, burgundy lips and a heavy smokey eye with swept-back hair.

olivia rodrigo mugler 1998
Thierry Mugler Fall 1998 Ready To Wear Collection Runway Show (Photo by Giovanni Giannoni/Penske Media via Getty Images)

Rodrigo later posed with fellow industry titans like Charli XCX, Caroline Polachek and Laufey at the event.

(L-R) Amy Allen, Olivia Rodrigo, Laufey, Caroline Polachek, and Charli XCX attend Variety’s Hitmakers Brunch Presented by AFEELA at NYA WEST on December 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Variety via Getty Images)

Rodrigo is not alone in her penchant for vintage. In recent years, we’ve seen an influx of celebrities—mostly Gen Z stars—trawling through archives to dig up looks from the past. While some pieces may be more controversial than others (ahem, Kim Kardashian in Marilyn Monroe’s original dress at the 2022 Met Gala), we love to see these stunning pieces having their time in the sun again.

This story first appeared on GRAZIA International.

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