Top left: Salvatore Ferragamo Spring 2009.
Bottom right: Anne Hathaway in Marchesa at the 2008 Oscars.
Grecian-inspired goddess gowns paired with Roman-style gladiator sandals emerged from the spring 2008 runways as a haute trend. Collections from Donna Karan, Lanvin, Oscar de la Renta, and Vera Wang featured flowing frocks in soft floaty fabrics like chiffon, satin, and jersey.
In fall 2008, the look continued and made its way onto the red carpet worn by starlets such as Anne Hathaway who donned a Marchesa crimson red silk chiffon dress with flowers cascading across the bodice for the 2008 Oscars. For spring 2009, Haider Ackerman, BCBG Max Azria, Salvatore Ferragamo, Hermès, Lanvin, and Doo.Ri embraced this feminine look and adapted the billowy shape to a more structured form.
Salvatore Ferragamo’s one-shoulder bubble shawl and plissé cuffed cocktail short had a safari flair with its hip-slung D-ring metallic belt. A Mediterranean blue BCBG Max Azria silk tunic dress was a vibrant homage to the Greco-Roman toga. Lanvin, known for lavish details and brilliant colors, showed an emerald green asymmetrical georgette top and ruched duchesse satin skirt with an inverted seam that created an abstract vertical ruffle.
Though inspired by the fluidity of the goddess gown, these draped designs have an ancient allure with a modern twist.
