Red carpet outfits, immortalized by countless photos and shared widely on social media, often have complex afterlives, ranging from storage and exhibitions to resale or celebrity ownership. Since the late 1990s, when formal partnerships between fashion houses and celebrities gained prominence, red carpet attire has become increasingly significant, with Nicole Kidman’s iconic 1997 Dior gown marking a pivotal moment. Most outfits, owned by fashion houses, undergo meticulous cleaning and storage in controlled facilities to ensure their preservation for future use or display. The rise of vintage fashion has further elevated these garments, transforming them into curated art pieces often showcased at exhibitions or reused as iconic styles. Earlier practices were less formal, as seen in Elizabeth Taylor's Dior gown, which was packed in a suitcase and later auctioned for $200,000, highlighting the evolving approach to preserving red carpet fashion. Continue here.
