In case you haven’t heard, the ’80s are back, baby. From Schiaparelli to Ralph Lauren, designers are pulling inspiration from the decade of decadence, sending a slew of referential styles down the runways. During Fashion Month this February, shoulder pads made a triumphant return at Saint Laurent. Fur and embellishment reached Joan Collins–levels of decadence at Fendi. And the double-breasted blazer made a strong showing in Milan, Paris, New York, and London.
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Miley Cyrus wears a sculptural set by Mugler earlier this month.
Naturally, celebs have followed suit—most notably, Miley Cyrus. When the “Flowers” singer took a whirlwind trip to Paris in May, she pulled out all the stops for her press tour. “Miley wore all French brands during her trip to Paris, naturally,” says stylist Bradley Kenneth, who worked with Cyrus on the looks. “Having the opportunity to showcase Miley’s versatility in the best fashion is something I always try to highlight.”
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Miley Cyrus wears head-to-toe Saint Laurent in Paris.
Kenneth tapped the biggest houses in Parisian fashion, including Alaïa, the label behind a show-stopping hooded coat that evoked Grace Jones. “I had the pleasure of seeing the Alaïa hooded and leather coat walk down the runway when I attended the show earlier this year,” says Kenneth. “They had such an impact on me when I saw them for the first time… I knew then they would be perfect on Miley.”
Perhaps the most viral look of the bunch was a strong-shouldered buttery leather jacket by Saint Laurent, cuffed gloves, and a belted red pencil skirt pulled right from the ’80s supermodel playbook. “I loved the silhouette of the Saint Laurent leather look; it’s powerful and sexy,” says Kenneth. Paired with New Wave–style sunglasses and undone hair, the ensemble gave power suiting a rock star spin.
Other recent looks include an archival Mugler party dress with an acrylic collar that evoked the last days of Studio 54, a surrealist black skirt suit and veil that looked straight out of a Helmut Newton photo, and an Alaïa fur vest that would make the cast of Dynasty green with envy. “The through-line with all the looks was their sculptural silhouettes, down to the Thierry Mugler corseted jumpsuit,” explains Kenneth.
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Miley Cyrus pairs an Hermès belted dress with Alaïa boots.
These looks, though not entirely a departure from her Joan Jett–style rocker gear, do mark a new era for Cyrus—but embracing the ’80s wasn’t wholly the point. “I’m a huge fan of Grace Jones and Annie Lennox. They are both major fashion icons, although I wasn’t intentionally referencing any past era,” insists Kenneth. Instead, fashion offered an outlet for Cyrus to express her new musical inspiration, kicking off with the release of her album Something Beautiful on May 30 and an accompanying visual film, premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 6.
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Miley Cyrus wears an acid wash denim jacket by Alaïa.
“The only era I’m focused on is the one Miley’s in right now. We call it her Something Beautiful era, and that mindset really drives the wardrobe,” says Kenneth. “My goal is for the clothes to reflect who she is in this moment. If you see echoes of the ’80s, it’s more that Miley’s current vibe naturally aligns with that kind of energy, rather than any calculated homage.”
It’s worth noting that early reviews have dubbed Something Beautiful a maximalist fantasy. And the singer herself has called it “extremely experimental.” So, it’s only natural that her fashion would follow in the footsteps of the synth pop and glam rock decade (albeit, unintentionally). As Kenneth puts it, “her evolving artistry and fearless approach to self-expression provide endless inspiration.”
Whether that inspiration hints at an ’80s-inspired sound or just self-expression through music, it’s clear Miley Cyrus is in a powerful, creative mood.
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