Kardashians Embrace Archival Fashion, Drawing on Hollywood and Royal History

Kim Kardashian has increasingly incorporated archival fashion into her public appearances, recently opting for a vintage Yves Saint Laurent 'Golden Tigress' corset gown from the Fall 1986 Haute Couture collection for the Rome Film Festival premiere of "All's Fair" on October 24. She paired the leopard-print gown with a matching chiffon scarf and black heels.

Her mother, Kris Jenner, also embraced historical fashion at the event, wearing Elizabeth Taylor's 1969 Tiziani Roma cape. This cape was famously worn by Taylor to Princess Grace of Monaco's 40th birthday celebration. Jenner acquired the cape at auction and lent it to Kim for the show.

This embrace of vintage pieces is not new for the Kardashian family. In 2022, Kim Kardashian wore Marilyn Monroe's iconic 1962 'Happy Birthday Mr. President' gown to the Met Gala. The gown, designed by Jean Louis, was purchased by Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum for $4.81 million and loaned to Kardashian. Historians expressed concern that the delicate fabric might have been damaged, with claims that Kardashian had to be sewn into the gown despite significant weight loss.

Kardashian has also been seen wearing Princess Diana's diamond cross necklace, which she purchased in January 2023 for nearly $200,000. She wore the amethyst and diamond Attallah Cross, originally made by Garrard in the 1920s, to the 2024 LACMA Art + Film Gala. The piece was previously loaned to Diana by Palestinian-British businessman Naim Attallah.

Furthermore, Kardashian has acquired Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis's vintage Cartier Tank watch, purchased in 2017 for $379,500. She wore the watch during a meeting with President Donald Trump in 2019, stating it gave her "some power."

Other notable vintage items in Kardashian's collection include Elizabeth Taylor's diamond pendant chandelier earrings, purchased for $374,500, which she wore to Balenciaga's Fall 2025 couture show. She also donned a 1951 Cristobal Balenciaga strapless gown at the Academy Museum Gala. Additionally, she owns a custom crop top and matching choker worn by Janet Jackson in her 1993 'If' music video, which she purchased for $25,000 in 2021, and a jacket worn by Michael Jackson to Elizabeth Taylor's 65th birthday party in 1997.

Stylist and fashion expert Lisa Talbot suggests Kardashian's use of archival pieces is a deliberate strategy to "create a moment" and generate discussion. Talbot notes that while these garments carry significant history and exclusivity, the wearer must also bring their own personality to avoid being overshadowed by the item's legacy.