As the 2026 awards season quietly begins to unfurl, Hailey Bieber set the tone not with excess, but with intention. At the WWD Style Awards in Santa Monica, where she was honoured with the Style Trailblazer
Award, the Rhode founder stepped out in a look that underscored her evolving fashion philosophy: archival, considered, and deeply personal.
Rather than opting for a custom commission or a current-season showstopper, Hailey Bieber chose a silver Armani Prive dress from the Spring 2009 Haute Couture collection – an era when glamour was precise, sculptural, and unapologetically refined.
A Couture Silhouette That Still Speaks
Hailey Bieber in Armani Privé SS 2009 Couture at the 2026 WWD Style Awards!
She is being awarded “Style Trailblazer”. This is an interesting dress choice! 💭 pic.twitter.com/EeOY21KoQv
— LEGENDARY LADE! 🇳🇬 (@LegendaryLade) January 10, 2026
Styled by Andrew Mukamal, Hailey’s choice leaned into a form of glamour that resists trend fatigue. The hourglass gown, meticulously covered in silver metallic beadwork, hugged the body with architectural finesse. It’s proof that couture designed over a decade ago can still feel strikingly relevant.
The dress first appeared on the Paris Haute Couture runway in January 2009, worn by model Alexandra Tomlinson. In 2026, it felt newly alive on Hailey – less nostalgic, more editorial. Her restrained approach to styling amplified the brilliance.
Diamonds, But Make Them Deliberate
Accessories were kept purposeful and pared back. Hailey opted for 30-carat Asscher-cut diamond earrings by Lorraine Schwartz, complemented by multiple diamond rings from the jeweller. The geometry of the stones echoed the precision of the beading, while simple black peep-toe mules grounded the look, ensuring the dress remained the undeniable focal point.
It was a lesson in balance: opulence without clutter, sparkle without spectacle.
Hailey Bieber’s recent run of archival fashion moments suggests a shift in how modern style icons approach the red carpet. Rather than chasing novelty, she’s embracing fashion history, craftsmanship, and emotional connection. These qualities can’t be replicated by trends alone.
In silver Armani Prive, she didn’t just wear couture. She reminded us that true style doesn’t age, it endures.
