Fashion Ghost of the ’90s: Hailey Bieber Revives Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s Iconic Look

Hailey Bieber delivered a major fashion flashback in London, stepping out at an event at Harry’s Bar in a dress once worn by the legendary Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.

On Tuesday evening, the 29-year-old model made a stylish appearance in a vintage dress that Carolyn had chosen for the rehearsal dinner ahead of her secret 1996 wedding to John F. Kennedy Jr.

Working with her stylist Dani Michelle, Hailey tracked down the archival piece at vintage boutique My Runway Archive. The dress is a Cerruti 1881 design that designer Narciso Rodriguez customized specifically for Bessette-Kennedy.

A sheer version of the design first appeared on the Cerruti runway several weeks after Carolyn and John F. Kennedy Jr.’s secret wedding. For Carolyn, Rodriguez paired the revealing piece with a nude silk slip dress, transforming it into an elegant evening look.

Rodriguez was also the designer behind Bessette-Kennedy’s iconic wedding dress — a minimalist silk creation that would go on to become one of the most recognizable bridal gowns of the 20th century.

Hailey stayed true to the minimalist spirit of the original look. She wore her hair in soft waves and skipped jewelry altogether, allowing the dress to take center stage.

The iconic Cerruti piece was also once worn by Kate Moss, a close friend of Rodriguez and one of his longtime muses. She appeared in the dress in a striking advertising campaign for the brand.

However, the vintage boutique where Hailey purchased the dress has specifically clarified that it is not the exact same piece Carolyn wore on the eve of her wedding.

The whereabouts of Bessette-Kennedy’s personal belongings today remain a mystery. Following her tragic death in 1999, some of her most recognizable wardrobe pieces were sold at auction, while the fate of many of her more personal possessions remains unknown. Experts have previously suggested that a significant portion of them may have remained with members of her family.