Critically Kind takes on Taylor's fashion
MTV Video Music Awards | September 12, 2023
Vintage bracelet ℅ Joseph Saidian & Sons jewelry
Foundrae ‘Medium Sister Hook Bracelet’ – $2,575.00
Jacquie Aiche ‘7 Diamond Kate Smooth Bar Bracelet’ – $5,950.00
Worn with: Versace gown, Anita Ko + Maria Tash + VCA + David Webb + Ita + vintage jewelry, and Jimmy Choo sandals
MTV Video Music Awards | September 12, 2023
Jimmy Choo ‘Metz 100 Sandal’ – $750.00
To know me is to know my love of a few things: A sad Taylor song, the colour green, and an ankle strap heel. These were definitely a great, no-fuss finisher to Taylor’s outfit, especially when the overboard of accessories came up top. But what is fun to know is that this particular style did come in silver chain embellishment version with added jewels anklet-style with stars and crystals that could have been even more ‘extra’.
Worn with: Versace gown, Anita Ko + Maria Tash + VCA + David Webb + Ita + vintage jewelry, and Foundrae + Jacquie Aiche + vintage bracelets
MTV Video Music Awards | September 12, 2023
Anita Ko ‘Stacked Diamond Ear Cuff’ – $5,297.00
Maria Tash ‘Floating Diamond Tassel Hoop’ – $25,300.00
Van Cleef & Arpels ‘Onyx and Diamond Ring’ – $12,000.00
David Webb ‘Diamond Ring’ – quote available upon request to designer
Ita Jewelry ‘Eterno Pavé Ring’ – $1,480.00
Joseph Saidian & Sons vintage diamond necklace’ – $65,000.00
Anita Ko ‘Triangle Eternity Choker’ – $43,574.00
Over the last few candid appearances, we’ve seen Taylor experimenting more with the fine art of a necklace stack and I can’t help but playfully wonder if it was in part a lead up (or inspired by) the layered styling for her MTV VMAs appearance.
The ‘more is more’ approach to accessorizing here is fun to observe, as Taylor doesn’t typically pile it on this excessively for red carpets. But it does up the ‘messy glam’ factor of her gown and mussed, spilling out updo.
Worn with: Versace gown, Foundrae + Jacquie Aiche + vintage bracelets, and Jimmy Choo sandals
MTV Video Music Awards | September 12, 2023
Versace custom gown (pictured similar)
As is her way, Taylor can only be consistently expected to do one thing: subvert expectations. Swiftly (some might say) bypassing an opportunity to plug any of the three albums she’s either released, or is on the precipice of releasing, she went straight to a very reputation-coded Versace gown. The likes of famed supermodel lore or legendary Liz Hurley status. It’s sexy, it’s slinky, it’s very distinctively signature Versace – using Medusa-embossed buttons in a pseudo snap closure style instead of the more overt safety pin (this detail continues on the strappy open criss-cross back all the way down the back to the end of her train, which is worth a look on its own).
I personally love a classic Versace look such as these. They’ve been done, and done a lot. But I can’t fight a classic sexy siren gown like this. The decision to forego Taylor’s signature red lip, I think, is a smart one that prevents the look from going too overboard. In my opinion, the styling choices were either pile on the jewels or pile on the crimson lip. And Taylor/her team went for the former – something that’s atypical of her style. The mussed hair with the trailing pieces left out of their updo feel “roll out of bed” intimate and sensual and feels akin to the curly bangs from the reputation photoshoot. But I can’t help but think an uber sleek blowout could have been great here.
If indeed a nod to reputation, I’ve always seen that album as one of two diametrically opposed forces: the external perceptions of who you are vs the internal realizations of the life you’re quietly building. To use a dress with so many asymmetrical details (the bodice, the straps, and even in the movement of the button detailing literally splicing her in half) as an embodiment of that would be quite appropriate. It’s also a smart use of a brand’s signature design details to (possibly) use for your own means.
Not to mention this is precisely the kind of dress at least I would envision buying so someone else could take it off.
Worn with: Anita Ko + Maria Tash + VCA + David Webb + Ita + vintage jewelry, Foundrae + Jacquie Aiche + vintage bracelets, and Jimmy Choo sandals
iHeartRadio Awards | March 27, 2023
Fernando Jorge ‘Kindle Ring’ – £4,200.00
Anita Ko ‘Orbit Ring’ – $3,745.00
KatKim ‘Pear Diamond Tour Ring’ – not yet listed
Fernando Jorge ‘Flame Ring’ – £2,400.00
My favourite of these jewelry pieces is the on the nose ‘Tour’ ring by KatKim – a new piece that will be hitting retail shortly.
Worn with: KatKim earring and Alexandre Vauthier jumpsuit
iHeartRadio Awards | Los Angeles, CA | March 27, 2023
KatKim ‘Allora Ear Pin’ – $5,975.00
Where Taylor’s style team has always exceeded in my opinion is sourcing interesting and unique jewelry for styling. To match a unique and edgy ensemble, you need accessories that come up to the same level. I love seeing this brief glimpse at this sharp design that complements the structured shoulders of the jumpsuit.
Worn with: Alexandre Vauthier jumpsuit and KatKim + Anita Ko + Fernando Jorge jewelry
iHeartRadio Awards | Los Angeles, CA | March 27, 2023
Alexandre Vauthier Spring 2023 Couture
I’m personally always going to advocate for experimental looks in fashion. Or should I say FASHUN. Taylor has had moments over the course of her career where she’s stepped outside her norm to play and to try something on that is unexpected, but interesting. That is the beauty of fashion – in the play. And Alexandre Vauthier is an excellent designer to select for a look that’s alluring and fashion-forward. As this jumpsuit from the SS2023 Couture runway is.
It’s in Taylor’s lane from a wattage standpoint, but unexpected in terms of edge and silhouette. Taylor is typically agnostic to trends but it’s fun to see her flirt with the in-vogue hooded style, especially as we’ve seen her wear a few capes now across multiple music videos (“willow”, “Bejeweled”). Under the stage lights, the dark sequins look magnetic and Midnights-appropriate to me. Dark, complicated, moody – but with an undeniable starry shimmer.
I completely understand why she skipped the red carpet (fresh off a tour weekend I don’t blame her), but I have a feeling perhaps some minds would be changed on this look if seen packaged in a power stance on the red carpet. Part of styling of a look is not just in the fit of the garment and the accessories chosen to complement it – but also in the context and the physical embodiment of selling the look. This moment was mostly seen from the angle of Taylor seated, behind a podium, or posing to the side in friendly hugs with peers backstage. None of which I think put this sequinned jumpsuit in the best light – pun intended.
In terms of actual styling, the straight hair was the right call to coincide with the allover sleek and sharp outline of the jumpsuit. But a graphic liner or a smoked out eye and stronger lip I think could have leaned more into the futuristic edgy energy presented.
All in, I am always going to support any look that elicits varied responses and emotions. That is what makes fashion interesting and, for me at least, keeps me around.
Worn with: KatKim earring and KatKim + Anita Ko + Fernando Jorge jewelry
65th Annual Grammy Awards | Los Angeles, CA | February 5, 2023
Giuseppe Zanotti ‘Betty Platform Sandals’ – $523.00
We just barely got a peek at Taylor’s platform Giuseppes last night, which were custom dyed to coordinate with her Roberto Cavalli two piece. That subtle folklore reference!
Worn with: Roberto Cavalli custom ensemble and Lorraine Schwartz earrings + rings
Get the look: Nordstrom, $74.00
65th Annual Grammy Awards | Los Angeles, CA | February 5, 2023
Lorraine Schwartz rings
While the earrings obviously steal the show, Taylor’s trio of oversized cocktail rings are nothing to sneeze at.
According to Variety, these rings are made from sapphires and diamonds and contributed to the overall jewelry price of nearly $3 million for the evening.
Worn with: Lorraine Schwartz earrings and Roberto Cavalli ensemble
65th Annual Grammy Awards | Los Angeles, CA | February 5, 2023
Lorraine Schwartz earrings
Those earrings are the obvious statement here – I love the subtle hits of turquoise in there as a bright pop.
According to Variety, these “bold dangle earrings boast over 136 carats of natural purple sapphires, paraibas and diamonds” and are part of a nearly $3 million price line for loaned jewelry for the night.
Worn with: Roberto Cavalli custom ensemble and Lorraine Schwartz rings
Taylor Swift Style 