At Monday night's New York screening of "Masters of the Universe," Camila Mendes once again proved that vintage is the new vanguard. The actress chose an archival Donna Karan halter gown - a masterclass in sensual minimalism that echoes the designer's foundational role in bridging lingerie sensibilities with ready-to-wear. Karan, who launched her eponymous label in 1985, famously revolutionized women's wardrobes with her "Seven Easy Pieces" concept, often borrowing from the corsetry and draping techniques of intimate apparel to create clothing that moved with the body rather than constraining it. Mendes's brown jersey gown, with its plunging neckline, gold waist hardware, and thigh-high slit, is a direct descendant of that philosophy: soft, body-conscious, and unabashedly erotic without being overt. The train trailing behind her on the carpet evoked the fluidity of a silk slip dress - a staple of the lingerie world that Karan elevated to evening wear. Styled by Molly Dickson, the look was completed with gold sandals and statement hoops, while makeup artist Lisa Aharon emphasized bold brows and a soft lip, keeping the focus on the dress's architecture. This isn't Mendes's first foray into fashion history; earlier in the week, she wore a leopard-print Roberto Cavalli off-the-shoulder dress from pre-fall 2010, a nod to the designer's early obsession with animal prints and the sensual, almost boudoir-like glamour that defined his pre-Puglisi era. In an age of disposable trends, Mendes's commitment to archival pieces reminds us that the most powerful statements often come from the past - especially when they whisper of lingerie's enduring influence on how we dress the body.
Originally reported by WWD