The Scandal That Makes History: The 19 Shocking Dresses That Conquered World Famous
What changes history more ... than a scandal? Where would we be today if Paris hadn't kidnapped Helen of Troy, if Coco Chanel hadn't broken all rules, if it hadn't been for Watergate and if Mary Quant hadn't shortened the hem of her skirt by much? Whether it is history, Starsystem, gossip and fashion, it is scandals that make everything go round and today we will talk about the 19 most shocking and scandalous dresses that, by causing a sensation, have forever changed the fate of fashion - and not only. Are you ready to discover and re-discover them all?
Elle USA some time ago compiled a ranking of the 47 dresses that have caused the most scandal in the last 115 years or so. We wanted to select the most iconic and explore with you the history behind them and the influences they had after. You will notice, in fact, that many recent dresses often draw inspiration from past scandals! Are you ready?
JOSEPHINE BAKER, THE FAKE BANANAS AND THE TWERKING ANTE LITTERAM
Let's start with the past. We had already told you about Josephine Baker as a true style icon and revolutionary dancer / performer / activist. An icon of the 1920s, she was probably also the muse that was partly inspired by Disney to design the hairstyle of Tiana, the independent protagonist and dreamer of The Princess and the Frog.
Well, Josephine Baker was not one who liked the rules and the taboos of the 1920s did not scare her like her. What's her outfit more scandalous than her? A "skirt" made of fake bananas and a bra covered with a pearl necklace. Rumor has it that she dabbled in what we would now call twerking (for the series, step aside Nicki Minaj!) And that despite being branded as "ridiculous and vulgar" by critics of her time, none other than Hemingway stood out among her fans. !
THE LIFTED SKIRT THAT COST MARILYN MONROE'S MARRIAGE
You know this, perhaps the most recognizable dress ever. The scene, shot in 1955, of When the wife is on vacation in which Marilyn enjoys the air under her skirt (also saying: "I find it an ecstasy!") Coming from the passage of the subway, which reveals her legs , is perhaps one of the most famous in cinema.
Her then husband Joe Di Maggio, however, seems to have gotten mad as hell, ending their marriage - it would seem - right after this scene that was definitely too risque for his tastes.
THAT PHOTO BY JAYNE MANSFIELD WHERE THE SCANDALIZED IS SOPHIA LOREN
For decades everyone has wondered if Sophia Loren was actually looking at Jayne Mansfield's cleavage with very little approval, in the photo taken in 1957.
And, recently, our local diva confirmed that yes, she was really terrified that her colleague's nipples could squirt out at any moment and that her dress could simply explode. She nevertheless declared that she had never agreed to autograph that photo, although she is in great demand, out of respect for the American actress.
WHEN BIANCA JAGGER INVENTED A STYLE
In 1971 Bianca Pérez Mora Marcias, four months pregnant, married Mick Jagger wearing a long skirt, a men's blazer (not just any: Yves Saint Laurent's classic Le Smoking) and nothing underneath. Instead of the classic veil, a veiled hat.
At the time it caused a sensation, but today every time a celeb of her shows up in men's clothes, but without a shirt (which happens very often !!), she is the one you should think about!
THE GOLDEN BIKINI OF PRINCESS LEILA
This is not the first time that, in this blog, we mention the scene from Friends in which Ross confesses to Rachel her most secret erotic dream: Princess Leia's golden bikini in Return of the Jedi.
The scene, in fact, shot in 1983, marked an entire generation and consecrated Carrie Fisher as a sex symbol, despite the avalanche of criticisms that had defined the "soft-porn" scene (which is the definition that is used today for 50 Shades), sexist and not suitable for a children's film.
MADONNA, THE BOY TOY AND THE UNKNOWN QUOTE OF KHALEESI
Madonna, 1984, MTV Video Music Awards, a live performance of Like a Virgin and the singer's most iconic outfit (one of the Team, which we will surgically avoid mentioning, even reproduced it for an 80s themed party :-D): tulle dress with bustier, long lace gloves, and accessories as if it were raining, among which the belt buckle with the words “Boy Toy” stands out.
In short, 100% of current pop stars are still trying to imitate her, despite the fact that, at the time, her publicist after the appearance told her that people had gone to him to tell him that the singer's career was fake. Instead, it had just begun. Game of Thrones fans, do you remember the phrase someone said in the last episode?
CHER AND THE SCANDAL AT THE OSCAR 1988
Everyone was wondering what Cher would wear on Oscar night, almost 30 years ago now. And Cher met only one of a thousand expectations: she amazed everyone. Wearing a cabaret dress made history.
CINDY CRAWFORD AND THE LESSON ON PLEATED DRESSES
After her appearance alongside Richard Gere in 1991, Cindy Crawford's red dress became one of the most copied ever.
She not only had a neckline never seen before, but she had paired it with a slit that still makes it pale today. In one word: Bella Hadid, who ?!
WHO THE HELL IS ELIZABETH HURLEY?
Everyone was wondering when she appeared at the premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral alongside England's golden bachelor, Hugh Grant. To cover the star's light, the vertiginous neckline, the sensational slit and the two deep slits closed by golden brooches, in full Gianni Versace style.
The next day, Elizabeth Hurley's fame spanned continents. The Telegraph named her the most iconic dress on the red carpet until 2008.
LADY D.'S REVENGE DRESS
Known as "The Revenge Dress", Christina Stambolian's dress worn by Lady D. in 1994 is truly a page of history.
The princess, in fact, wore it in her first public appearance after Prince Charles' confession on live television about her adultery. At first discarded by Diana as "indecent", lastly, however, worn with ease. What can I say, she left everyone breathless.
ROSE McGOWAN'S MOST FAMOUS (AND SCANDALOUS) LOOK
Perhaps the most famous of the nude dresses is perhaps the one that Rose McGowan wore in 1998 at the 1998 MTV VMAs, alongside her then-boyfriend Marilyn Manson.
It is among the most “scandalous” dresses ever, to the point that it is almost more famous than the ex-witch's career. It's easy to see why…! Doesn't she also remind you of Amber Rose at the 2014 VMAs?
WHEN J-LO INVOLONTARLY CREATED GOOGLE IMAGE
We have already told you about it. If Google Image exists, it is because the day after the 2000 Grammys everyone wanted to see the Versace dress revisited, which was discovering a lot, but wisely, of the beautiful Jennifer Lopez.
BJÖRK'S SWAN SUIT
Another iconic dress sported at the Oscars, the swan dress designed by Marjan Pejoski for Björk in 2001. Considered by many to be a misstep of the style, criticized as outrageous or cheesy, it was then voted as one of the 8 most famous dresses ever, as well as exhibited at MoMA and taken up by Valentino, in the SS 2014 collection.
LADY GAGA'S MEAT DRESS
Another scandal at the VMAs: Lady Gaga, in protest against American military policy, wears a dress made entirely of meat, including shoes and a nice steak like a hat. Gaga's message was to be "if we don't stand up for our rights we will end up having the same rights as the flesh that clothes our bones."
There have been many interpretations and the dress is now kept at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
THE B SIDE OF PIPPA MIDDLETON
Someone then said that she wore reinforced briefs, but perhaps it is envy that speaks: on the wedding day of Kate Middleton and Prince William, many eyes remained glued to the B-side of her sister Pippa, a bridesmaid in charge of lifting the very long train of the neo Duchess and dressed in a beautiful white dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
A bit like Elizabeth Hurley, the next day everyone knew who Pippa Middleton was.
THE LEG OF ANGELINA JOLIE
Since then we have been seeing, on the red carpet, celebrity-flamingo apparently with only one leg. Thanks Angelina, thanks Versace. The fact is that the magic can't repeat itself: after Mrs Jolie-Pitt, and her much-talked-about leg (and split), no new WOW!
RIHANNA AND THE 230,000 APPLIED CRYSTALS
Rihanna's only regret? Not wearing a crystal thong at the 2014 CFDAs, instead of a smooth, flesh-colored one. Her sparkling look with a certain 1920s flavor (Josephine Baker, is that you?), Signed Adam Selman, has already entered the annals, as well as her eye make-up, one of her all-time favorites. Clio!
WHEN MILEY CYRUS WAS NO LONGER HANNAH MONTANA
Versace, you may have noticed, does not hold back when there is someone to scandalize. And, you may have noticed that the MTV VMAs are the occasion that manages to churn out more shocking outfits.
And if this winning combination is joined by an irreverent and unpredictable personality like that of Miley Cyrus, a new shocking red carpet is ready (it was 2015, do you remember?).
KIM K AND THE BELLY IN LACE
Elle did not even include a Kim Kardashian dress (she cites the cover of Paper with champagne, but in our opinion it wasn't really the dress that was "the stone of scandal") in her ranking and, frankly, it seems undeserved.
We want to talk about the fuss born from (if you want, come on) the sexy look by Givenchy and worn at the 2015 LACMA Film + Art Gala? In our opinion it opened the way for many future Hollywood mothers (yes Blake, we have it with you too) now perhaps more free to wear clothes that show and make pregnancy a moment of sensuality and a femininity that is not only to be protected, but to be exhibited.
What will be the next? Who will live, will see girls!
Do you like posts about the iconic dresses of our times? Here are some more!
Girls can you think of others? There would be a lot of them of course! Which of these do you like best and which one "scandalizes" you the most? How many did you know? And which, in your opinion, have had the most important or positive effects? Are you for or against fashion scandals? Let us know! A big kiss from TeamClio!
