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