In the new season of Emily in Paris, Emily Cooper makes a grand entrance at a masquerade ball in a black and white striped catsuit-gown hybrid, designed by Harris Reed. Reed, the creative director of Nina Ricci, had met Lily Collins, who plays Emily, early on in his tenure at the fashion house and collaborated with her on the bold, monochrome look. The inspiration for the outfit came from Truman Capote’s infamous Black and White Ball in 1966, with references to iconic guests and stage productions like My Fair Lady starring Audrey Hepburn. Reed aimed to create a modern take on these classic looks, incorporating architectural shapes, a voluminous cape skirt, and a sleek hat.
Fitoussi and Collins approached Reed to create a show-stopping costume for season four, with a focus on making a strong impact and creating an iconic look. The concept of claiming space with architectural shapes was central to the design process, drawing on the extravagance and elegance of the Black and White Ball. Reed was inspired by Amanda Carter Burden’s black and white striped dress and Audrey Hepburn’s Eliza Doolittle character, incorporating elements from both into Emily’s masquerade ball ensemble. The modern interpretation featured a graphic catsuit, a voluminous cape skirt, and a sleek hat, blending historical references with contemporary style.
Reed describes the experience of creating Emily’s costume as a dream come true, noting that it felt organic and resonated with his own journey as a British designer living in Paris. He relates to Emily’s character as an American in Paris with big dreams who approaches things in their own unique way. The collaboration between Reed, Fitoussi, and Collins resulted in a dramatic and memorable look that showcased the designer’s creativity and flair for bold fashion choices. The custom costume for Emily in Paris marked an important milestone in Reed’s career and highlighted his ability to merge historical influences with modern aesthetics.
The black and white striped catsuit-gown hybrid worn by Emily Cooper at the masquerade ball was a standout moment in the new season of Emily in Paris, designed by Harris Reed. The bold, monochrome look was inspired by the iconic Black and White Ball hosted by Truman Capote in 1966, with references to Amanda Carter Burden’s dress and Audrey Hepburn’s Eliza Doolittle character. Reed aimed to create a modern interpretation of these classic looks, incorporating architectural shapes, a voluminous cape skirt, and a sleek hat that added drama and elegance to Emily’s ensemble. The collaboration between Reed, Fitoussi, and Collins resulted in a show-stopping costume that epitomized Reed’s unique design aesthetic and flair for creating statement pieces.
The process of designing Emily’s masquerade ball look was a collaborative effort between Reed, Fitoussi, and Collins, with a focus on making a strong impact and creating an iconic ensemble for the character. The brief called for a costume that would stand out and capture the essence of the extravagant and glamorous Black and White Ball. Reed drew inspiration from historical references such as Amanda Carter Burden’s dress and Audrey Hepburn’s Eliza Doolittle character, blending elements from both into a modern and visually striking design. The graphic catsuit, voluminous cape skirt, and sleek hat added a touch of drama and sophistication to Emily’s outfit, showcasing Reed’s creativity and innovative approach to fashion.
Overall, the collaboration between Harris Reed and the team behind Emily in Paris resulted in a visually stunning and memorable costume for the character of Emily Cooper. The bold and dramatic masquerade ball look showcased Reed’s unique design aesthetic and ability to merge historical influences with modern fashion sensibilities. The costume reflected Reed’s creative vision and flair for creating statement pieces that make a strong impact and resonate with audiences. The success of the collaboration highlights Reed’s talent as a designer and his ability to translate his artistic vision into visually striking and memorable fashion creations.
