On October 27, 2025, the Paramount Studios lot in Los Angeles was transformed into a dazzling runway as Vogue World 2025 unfolded, drawing a constellation of celebrities, designers, and fashion aficionados from around the globe. The event, hosted by Vogue magazine, was more than just a celebration of style—it was a love letter to Hollywood, honoring the glamour, artistry, and legacy of the film industry itself. As the sun dipped behind the palm trees, the iconic studio lot—better known for blockbuster shoots—became a canvas for the world’s most coveted luxury labels and a stage for stars to strut their stuff in truly unforgettable ensembles.
It’s not every day you see Nicole Kidman, Angela Bassett, and Kendall Jenner sharing the same runway, but that’s exactly what happened at this year’s event. Kidman, who opened the show, paid homage to Hollywood legend Rita Hayworth, gliding down the runway in a sultry black gown that seemed to channel old-school Tinseltown allure. According to Vogue, the moment was a fitting tribute, setting the tone for an evening that would blend nostalgia with contemporary flair.
In a playful twist, Kendall Jenner donned one of Kidman’s iconic showgirl looks from Moulin Rouge, a nod both to the actress’s cinematic legacy and to the enduring power of costume in storytelling. This meta moment was just one of many that blurred the lines between past and present, film and fashion, celebrity and muse. Angela Bassett, meanwhile, reprised her role as the fierce queen from Black Panther, striding down the catwalk with the kind of regal confidence that’s made her a Hollywood icon in her own right.
The guest list read like a who’s who of entertainment royalty. Movie stars Jennifer Connelly and Gwyneth Paltrow mingled with pop sensations Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato, while Aussie talent was well represented by Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Martin, Elizabeth Debicki, and Phoebe Tonkin. Other notable attendees included Dakota Johnson, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz Beckham, Halle Bailey, Joel Edgerton, Christine Centenera, Tracee Ellis Ross, Nina Dobrev, Jennifer Hudson, Olivia Munn, Mandy Moore, Hilary Duff, Rita Ora, Taika Waititi, and Camila Cabello, just to name a few. The sheer diversity of talent on display was matched only by the creativity of their outfits.
The runway itself was a parade of luxury, with Balmain, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, and Valentino among the heavy hitters showcasing film-inspired looks. Each ensemble told its own story—sometimes referencing a classic movie, other times reimagining a red-carpet moment for a new era. Dakota Johnson dazzled in a pink Art Deco-inspired dress, Da’Vine Joy Randolph brought drama with a 1940s ‘New Look’ silhouette, and Halle Bailey looked ethereal in a rust-hued gown. The event wasn’t just about the clothes, though; it was about the energy, the spectacle, and the sense of community that comes from celebrating art in all its forms.
As the night wore on, it became clear that the lines between fashion, film, and celebrity are more blurred than ever. This wasn’t lost on the crowd, many of whom watched from the sidelines—Miley Cyrus and Hailey Bieber among them—soaking up the atmosphere and cheering on their friends and colleagues. The event underscored the ongoing evolution of fashion as a cultural force, one that’s increasingly intertwined with the world of entertainment and the broader luxury market.
That intersection was also on display in the wider world of luxury auctions, where couture and celebrity provenance have become hotter commodities than ever. According to The New York Times, on December 3, 2025, Julien’s Auctions will host a live sale titled ‘Bold Luxury: Bob Mackie, Stage Glamour & the Couture Edit,’ featuring 50 pieces from the legendary designer’s theatrical career. Among the highlights are a naked dress worn by Cher in 1978, a sequin-and-fringe bodysuit once sported by Tina Turner, and a John Galliano ‘newspaper dress’ for Dior’s fall 2000 collection—famously worn by Sarah Jessica Parker’s character on Sex and the City.
Fashion auctions have surged in popularity, with some items fetching six- and even seven-figure bids. The appetite for exclusive, storied pieces is driving a new kind of collector—one who values not just rarity, but the magic of celebrity and the allure of cultural history. Recent high-profile sales include Princess Diana’s Lady Dior bag, André Leon Talley’s Versace gloves, and Nicole Kidman’s Michael Kors jumpsuit worn in an AMC promo. In July, Sotheby’s sold the original Hermès Birkin made for Jane Birkin in 1984 for a staggering $10.1 million, making it the most valuable handbag ever auctioned. Another Birkin from the actress’s collection is set to go under the hammer in December.
This shift isn’t just about taste; it’s about timing and demographics. Millennials and Gen Z now account for over a third of buyers in fashion auction departments, signaling a generational change in luxury collecting. As Rachel Koffsky Parker, a senior vice president at Christie’s, told The New York Times, "Today, the sense of searching and finding that holy grail, finding something that no one else has, there’s a tremendous amount of exclusivity and prestige that comes along with that, which is a newer phenomenon." The pandemic accelerated this trend, as younger collectors became more self-educated and savvy in navigating the resale market.
For auction houses, this means an increased focus on curation and storytelling. Instead of a retail experience where anyone can buy a mass-produced item, auctions offer one-of-a-kind objects, each with its own narrative. "Auction houses act almost as, you know, cultural gatekeepers," said Federica Levato, a partner at Bain & Company. "They select only the finest pieces. The curation reinforces the perception of even more scarcity and also taste."
Despite turbulence in the luxury sector—geopolitical tensions, tariffs, and market fatigue have led to the first contraction in personal luxury goods in 15 years—auctions remain a beacon for those seeking exclusivity and cultural cachet. The thrill of discovery, the prestige of ownership, and the emotional resonance of storied pieces keep collectors coming back for more. As Martin Nolan of Julien’s Auctions noted, younger buyers are also drawn by the promise of sustainability, "saving their money and buying investment pieces."
Back at Paramount Studios, as the last models left the runway and the lights dimmed, there was a palpable sense that something special had taken place—a convergence of fashion, film, and cultural history. Whether on the catwalk or in the auction house, the quest for beauty, rarity, and meaning continues to unite collectors, creators, and fans alike in a world where style is more than just what you wear—it’s a statement, a memory, and sometimes, a piece of history.
