Marie Antoinette is back in fashion: From Rococo to pop culture

Marie Antoinette may have died over 230 years ago, but her image continues to inspire pop stars and designers around the world. From Kylie Jenner to Miley Cyrus, celebrities have repeatedly channeled her iconic style for photoshoots—think voluminous gowns, towering wigs, and mountains of sweets. Even at last year’s Lollapalooza, Chappell Roan performed in a Marie Antoinette-inspired outfit, reviving a pop trend that started with Madonna at the 1990 MTV Awards, reports CNN.

High-fashion designers like John Galliano, Karl Lagerfeld, Vivienne Westwood, and Alessandro Michele also draw inspiration from the young queen. Rihanna’s 2016 Fenty x Puma collection imagined how Marie Antoinette might hit the gym, while Vogue dedicated a feature to her “beauty secrets” for the queen’s 262nd birthday.

Fashion and Power

“Marie Antoinette was a style icon of her time, but there’s never been an exhibition that fully showcases her legacy,” says exhibition curator Sarah Grant. At her court, hairdressers, tailors, and milliners crafted luxurious looks that set trends and influenced society—the 18th-century equivalent of modern celebrity style.

The V&A Exhibition

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London transports visitors to the 18th century with pastel pink galleries and over 250 exhibits, including jewelry, watercolor paintings, silk gowns, and beaded slippers. Even the queen’s favorite scents—iris, tuberose, violet, and musk—are recreated. While most rooms are filled with sweet fragrances, the section featuring her prison shirt and the guillotine evokes the damp, musty air of the Saint-Rémi prison.

Pop Culture and Film

Marie Antoinette’s modern image was reshaped by Antonia Fraser’s 2001 biography and Sofia Coppola’s 2006 film starring Kirsten Dunst. The film portrayed the queen as a young woman thrust into a world of privilege and responsibility she couldn’t handle. Designers took note: Jeremy Scott created collections inspired by her in 2008 and 2020, turning gowns into layered cakes and mini-Rococo masterpieces. Galliano and Lagerfeld also drew from her wardrobe to craft stunning costumes for Dior and Chanel. The result is a dazzling fashion tribute that keeps her legacy alive in both couture and pop culture.

Why She Still Inspires

“All of this unfolds against one of history’s most dramatic backdrops—the French Revolution. Her tragic life and vibrant personality make the perfect cocktail for fashion and legend,” explains Sarah Grant.

Marie Antoinette remains a symbol of luxury, style, and incomparable feminine charisma—now living not just in history books but in the wardrobes of contemporary designers and on runways worldwide.