Nicole Kidman in L’Wren Scott

Posted on Nov 5, 2012 in Fashion

If Nicole didn’t scream “COME ON, DOVER! MOVE YOUR BLOOMING ARSE!” at least once this day, then we will be very disappointed.

Nicole Kidman attends the 2012 AAMI Victoria Derby Day at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia in L’Wren Scott. Hat by Stephen Jones.

At first glance, we thought this looked way too prissy, but once we realized it was a very witty and very deliberate callback to Audrey Hepburn’s derby costume in My Fair Lady:

Well, how could we not love that? From a modern fashion perspective, it’s questionable (all that white lace), but from a style statement perspective – and a “having fun with clothes” one – it’s downright brilliant.

[Photo Credit: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images]

Tags:

http://twitter.com/MitchGilburne Mitchell Gilburne

It’s a costume, but it’s an excellent costume. And that’s good enough for me.
- Sara__B
  
  Exactly.
  - Kathy_Marlow
    
    It’s glorious. She looks perfect
http://twitter.com/iJenmac Jennifer McClory

I love this so much.
baxterbaby

The shoulder bow; tip-off.

I don’t object to a black shoe, but it looks too much shoe from the front.
SophiaPehawkins

She’s no Audrey Hepburn, but who is? It’s a pretty fabulous “Halloween” getup.
- MoHub
  
  And as far as musical theater is concerned, Audrey Hepburn was no Julie Andrews.
- christinewithanx
  
  She’s no Grace Kelly, either, but Hollywood disagrees!
  - SophiaPehawkins
    
    Ugh. Don’t get me started on that. The thing is I never got it with regards to Nicole Kidman; that whole timeless beauty, and that’s even before all the botox and work she had one. I watched Rabbit Hole, and quite enjoyed her in it as well as the movie. I don’t think I’ve seen her in anything else, but I don’t feel inclined to do so.
    
    I usually prefer unknown actor/actresses to play famous people in movies. It’s hard to see Grace Kelly in those pictures that have been out. All I see is Nicole Kidman playing GK. I got the same feeling with Michelle Williams. I thought she was great in ” My Week with Marilyn” but I couldn’t unsee MW.
    
    Audrey Hepburn, Julie Andrews. Legends. I don’t think I’ll feel that way about Nicole Kidman in fifty years.
    - jhedman
      
      See pre-work, curly-haired Nicole in “Dead Calm” if you like thrillers. She was amazing before anyone ever knew her.
http://twitter.com/taraflanagan tara flanagan

she also looks less plastic than she usually does…
alyce1213

The homage to Cecil Beaton’s costume is way too obvious, too close. I’d have preferred a less literal interpretation of this iconic outfit.
- kschwarting
  
  Well said! I feel like the lines of this are much wonkier than Beaton’s streamlined design.
http://twitter.com/Kaptain_Killjoy Nimith

Well it is the Spring Racing Carnival……
http://profiles.google.com/awilsongirl Amy Wilson

My only problem with it is that it seems to be poorly fitted under her bust- what is up with the wrinkling? Otherwise, I love My Fair Lady so I am down with it.
Groucho_Marks

Love it — nice to see a clever homage to a wonderful film. “The rain in Spain falls mainly on Nicole Kidman(e)…once again…”
AwwwTrouble

And she actually looks happy wearing it. Love.
1964edithgrove

Looks like she’s wearing a Playtex Living Bra from the 50′s. Hate.
Judy_S

It feels too literal to me–like, the only parts that were changed are not as good as the original. If you look at what Cecil Beaton did to that prewar period, and then at what Scott did to Beaton, Scott looks pretty weak. I like the buttons down the back, but that’s already Beaton referencing Edwardiana in the age of the zipper.
http://joyouslifesf.wordpress.com Kiltdntiltd

The dress is an interesting, undeniably witty idea, but I think, not an entirely successful one. The Stripped ribbon is a bit oddly placed, in particular the ascending chevron on the back of the skirt that says, “This way to my ass!”
hillmad

Sorry, but I just think it’s dowdy. Makes her look like a dowager aunt. And I don’t find it a very witty or well-fitting interpretation.
IMNAngryLiberal

I think this is funny and fierce — you go, Ms. Nicole!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=713709401 Randy Noak

Oh thank god. For a moment, I looked at this and thought she was doing a remake of My Fair Lady and I couldn’t imagine a worse casting choice.
- alyce1213
  
  Oh, I can imagine A LOT worse.
  - Kirsten Henry
    
    “Lindsay Lohan as Eliza”
    - http://www.facebook.com/people/Sarah-Adams/1143985903 Sarah Adams
      
      Well, Lindsay is deeply vulgar and so is Eliza…
    - alyce1213
      
      Lea Michele as Eliza. (Of course)
Joshau Norton

Cute idea, but the hat really could have used the same small pop of red that Beaton used in the original outfit. It looks a tad washed out with nothing but gray.
Mary229

Yes, I recognized it right away as being from My Fair Lady. It’s a great costume. However, I’m bitter about Nicole Kidman right now because I was recently reminded on an earlier thread that I think Amy Adams should be playing Grace Kelly in the biopic and not Kidman. So I’m irrationally annoyed at her right now. Still…I got to give props where it’s due for the costume here.
ecallaw1977

I like the dress an an homage, but I think the hat is really weak.
- http://twitter.com/foodycatAlicia foodycatAlicia
  
  Yes – the original hat was much more dramatic.
http://twitter.com/cornekopia Shawn EH

Awesome and cute, two words I don’t usually apply to Nicole.
TieDye64

Given the venue I think she looks fantastic. Chic and fun.
Kate4queen

I love it!
J. Preposterice

Nicole, your face is starting to look like something out of Brazil. Please stop doing things to it.
BuffaloBarbara

I actually like it, and hope she did instruct Dover, at some point, to shake his tail.

I wish more people would have some fun with clothes like this.
beebee10

love that she has the sense of fun to wear that. looks great
MoHub

How did you know I was in the middle of rehearsals for My Fair Lady? You guys just made my entire day! And I get to faint in response!
PeggyOC

That’s EXACTLY what I thought when I saw it. When I first saw the image I didn’t know it was for an event, and my first thought was “OMG, are they remaking My Fair Lady with Nicole as Liza?”
mjude

i love it!
meowing

If only Ms. Angry Birds Eyebrows would truly smile–especially an open-mouth smile that we usually criticize–it would lighten up her whole persona. Love the Audrey moment here, and that whole Derby scene is my very favorite movie scene!
http://twitter.com/Bookmanfilm BookManFilm

plastic. face.
LesYeuxHiboux

Love her, love this. Going to watch To Die For now.
l_c_ann

Cecil Beaton would smile at the homage.
- margaret meyers
  
  no he wouldn’t.
MichaelStrangeways

And, by “callback” you mean rip-off?

The Estate of Cecil Beaton is ringing up their solicitors as we speak…
- Lilithcat
  
  My thought, too. Unfortunately, at the time Beaton created these, fashion design was not protected by copyright in Great Britain.
LambeeBaby

Gutter snipe.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jessica-TallGirl-Freeman/1043623567 Jessica TallGirl Freeman

Adore it. Love it. Want it.
SewingSiren

Well, what else would you wear to Victorian Derby Day?
http://twitter.com/#!/Space_Kitty Space Kitty

She’s no Audrey Hepburn.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Samuel-Hawk/522821430 Samuel Hawk

In the profile picture, she looks surprisingly like Joan Crawford.
http://twitter.com/AbbottRabbit AbbottRabbit

Now I just miss Musical Mondays and all the vagina hats they offered.
- formerlyAnon
  
  I just miss Musical Mondays, period.
Call me Bee

Ok. When I first saw it, I thought, “what the f-ing hell??!?!’ But now that I see she’s going to the races, you are right. It’s brilliant.
Wellworn

Could have done without the lace, but otherwise fabulous, and I thought that even before I saw the My Fair Lady reference. And the girl is looking good too.
fringebenefit

Divine
DaveUWSNYC

And she looks like she’s having so much fun with it!
Buffy

I guess I’m the only one who thinks there are some things that should never be repeated. The copy will never be as good as the original. Though I’ll give her props for wearing it.
jmorino08

When I grow up, I want to be fabulous enough to wear this!
aumerle

But the hat is so sad. 12 tiny pieces of frayed tulle glued on. For me, it ruins the whole effect.
- formerlyAnon
  
  It’s not the tulle that makes me sad about the hat. I *think* it’s fabric (underside) of the brim and the whole general air it has of being a bit shoddier than the dress that bugs me.
3boysful

Wow–that’s a “wear it once” ensemble if ever there were one.
A B

If this wasn’t for a Halloween party it’s ridiculous. Even if it was it looks cheap (and I’m sure it wasn’t).
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002396153672 Ann Martina

Wish she had a matching parasol
decormaven

I like the concept of this homage, but it’s just a dim reflection of Beaton’s masterful costuming.
MilaXX

When I first saw this I was hoping this was for a Derby of some sort, because that’s the only way this look is acceptable.
- TigerLaverada
  
  If you mean Derby as in Ascot/Kentucky, that’s exactly what Melbourne Cup day is. People dress to the nines, along the lines of Ascot (not generally as trashy as the KY Derby). Been there.
nannypoo

Oh for god’s sake. She looks like a total idiot.
- margaret meyers
  
  So glad you used “total,” because just idiot isn’t quite enough.
bertkeeter

First of all L”Wren Scott cant design worth tupence! Everything looks like “luvin ands at ome”…. NK looks like a middle aged southern woman going to the Kentucy Derby and trying to be cute about it! Bloodie Ell, it’s awful!
librarygrrl64

My first reaction was “Too costumey and matchy-matchy,” but then I saw it was for Derby Day, and therefore all bets are off. She looks fantastic!!!
http://twitter.com/PhDKnitter marlie

Love it, love it, LOVE IT!!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_F73LIJ3SJGI5AJQMXMWXCKILHI Pamela

LOVE the hat but I would like the dress more with less white lace.
pookiesmom

Um, no. Not a fan. Am I just bitchy today, or what? I haven’t really liked anything.
Zippypie

I join the bitchy club. It’s costume and looks ridiculous. She’s not Audrey Hepburn. Maybe playing Princess Grace has addled her self conception.
margaret meyers

Yep. This is costume, not clothing. I think she looks too coy, too twee, too pleased, too everything. And too botoxed and plumped (as long as I’m at it).
http://vhanna26.typepad.com Vera

The dress looks terrific on her, but the hat falls short. If you are going to do Audrey. Do it.
Lisa Kramp

This is when I love her most; happy, cheeky, and wickedly beautiful.
understateddiva

All the pictures I’ve seen of this just look like she’s having a blast.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YAMNQMUGFM4NNSPAQLZRODSD5I Angela

She’s a doll come to life! Trim as a Barbie and twice as cute.
plinkiedoodle

Chic as hell!!!
quiltrx

See, days like THIS are the ONLY reason I would want to be famous!
NCDFan

Love!
http://profiles.google.com/sauchih Sau-Chih Feng

And what of her aunt’s silver spoon that should have come to her? Someone PINCHED IT.
- adnama79
  
  Hat pin.
J MN

So glad you knew that and provided the link. It was interesting to see.
J MN

I love it! Nicole looks happy and turned out perfectly.
formerlyAnon

Love it.

Only negative is that there are more flattering ways to curve that hat brim.
RzYoung

Wow, i think someone spiked her porridge with something cray cray that morning! Credit to her though she’s making it work
http://www.facebook.com/kaynwil Kay Watkins

LOVE that movie! LOL! I may have to dust off the dvd!
Judy_J

So very Liza Doolittle!
Warmheartedgirl Seattle

Beautiful, and perfect for the derby! Love it.
Larkin21

Named my cat Dover based on that moment. And I think Nicole looks stunning here. Great job.

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Nicole Kidman in L’Wren Scott

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