When Katie Holmes stepped out in New York this week, she traded her recent streamlined suiting for a silhouette that whispers of a bygone era - the sculptural Sitara dress from Adam Lippes' fall 2026 collection. The black gown features a wide, padded neckline that wraps dramatically across the shoulders, leaving one side more exposed than the other - a modern nod to the portrait necklines that have shaped lingerie history, from the décolletage-enhancing corsets of the 18th century to the boned bodices of Victorian evening wear. The fit hugs the torso before flaring into a full bell-shaped skirt, a form that recalls the structured petticoats and crinolines that once defined women's foundation garments.
Holmes' stylist, Brie Welch, paired the dress with a striking Bulgari collar necklace and earrings, allowing the open neckline to serve as a frame for the jewelry. The choice is apt: Bulgari's heritage in adorning the female form echoes the corset's historical role as a canvas for ornamentation. Holmes has returned to off-the-shoulder looks recently, including a Brunello Cucinelli bodice at a gala in April, but this dress marks a shift in proportion. The Adam Lippes design, inspired by vintage automobiles (as the designer told WWD), replaces the clean lines of the tuxedo she wore to the American Image Awards - where she presented Zac Posen with Designer of the Year in his custom GapStudio tuxedo, complete with a corset underneath - with more volume and formality.
Lippes' collection emphasizes pure silks and double-faced cashmere, materials that, like the finest lingerie, rely on structure and drape. Holmes' restrained palette and sculptural silhouette remind us that the body's architecture - whether in a corset or a gown - is always a story of support, shape, and spectacle.
Originally reported by WWD