What Happens to Celebrities’ Red Carpet Outfits After the Event?
When celebrities step onto a red carpet, their outfits are often as famous as they are, capturing the attention of millions and making a statement in the world of fashion. From Zendaya’s old Hollywood-inspired saffron Louis Vuitton gown at the Golden Globes to Angelina Jolie’s dazzling crystal McQueen dress, these outfits become immortalized by flashing cameras. But what happens to them after the event ends? Where do these iconic outfits go once they’ve been photographed and shared across social media?
The Afterlife of Red Carpet Outfits
After the glamour of the red carpet fades, the fate of the outfits can vary. Some are carefully stored in specialized archives, others are displayed in exhibitions, and some even find their way onto the open market for auction. Occasionally, certain outfits don’t even survive the event itself.
Fashion houses, who often own the dresses they design, are typically responsible for determining what happens to the outfits. Celebrities themselves sometimes decide to keep the dresses, with stars like Kim Kardashian and Zendaya acquiring the gowns they wear at major events.
The Rise of Red Carpet Dressing
Over the past two decades, the significance of red-carpet outfits has dramatically increased. Lucy Bishop, a fashion expert at auction house Sotheby’s, points to the 1997 Oscars when Nicole Kidman wore a Dior chartreuse gown by John Galliano. This marked the beginning of a trend where high-profile fashion houses began partnering more directly with celebrities to dress them for red carpet events.
“With the involvement of stylists and designers, the production of these looks has become a carefully planned and highly organized affair,” said Bishop. The high level of collaboration has led to more effort in preserving the outfits post-event.
What Happens to the Gowns Afterward?
The immediate aftermath of a red carpet event is a cleaning process, where the outfit is cleaned of body lotions, oils, perfumes, and makeup stains that could degrade the fabric over time. Sarah Scaturro, Chief Conservator at the Cleveland Museum of Art, notes that these materials can oxidize, affecting the fabric’s color and texture. Typically, the cleaning involves dry cleaning, although more delicate fabrics may require specialized treatments.
Once cleaned, the outfits are usually stored in specialized facilities. Fashion houses, private collectors, and institutions like The Wardrobe, an archiving and storage studio, maintain and preserve these pieces for years. These storage spaces are temperature-controlled, with low lighting and high humidity control to prevent deterioration.
Red Carpet Gowns as Artifacts
In recent years, many of these garments have been treated as pieces of art, featured in exhibitions rather than simply being worn again. The “Crown to Couture” exhibition at Kensington Palace, for example, displayed iconic red carpet looks, including the tulle Oscar de la Renta dress Billie Eilish wore to the 2021 Met Gala and the “Sun God” outfit worn by Billy Porter at the 2019 Met Gala.
Transporting these outfits for exhibitions is an intricate process. Julie Ann Clauss, founder of The Wardrobe, recalled the challenge of preparing delicate items like beaded gowns for international travel. “We need custom mounts and sometimes even crates as big as seven feet tall to ensure stability during transport,” Clauss said.
The Journey to Auction or Sale
Before red carpet outfits became highly curated by fashion houses, it was more common for celebrities to keep their gowns. Some even gave them away or sold them. One famous example is Elizabeth Taylor, who gave away the Dior gown she wore to collect her Oscar. It was later rediscovered packed away in a suitcase and eventually fetched $200,000 at an auction.
While many red carpet outfits end up in archives, some make unexpected journeys to the auction block. After the 2019 Golden Globes, Lady Gaga’s periwinkle Valentino gown was reportedly left behind in her hotel room, later found by a housekeeper. Though the gown spent months in the hotel’s lost-and-found before being offered at auction, it’s unclear whether the sale ever took place.
The Legacy of Red Carpet Fashion
As red carpet fashion continues to evolve, so does the treatment of the outfits worn by celebrities. Whether stored as archival pieces, featured in exhibitions, or occasionally sold at auction, these gowns are more than just clothing—they are symbols of creativity, craftsmanship, and the impact of fashion on pop culture.
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