Almost six decades after Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball happened, the “party of the century” still inspires the fiction world and its costumes. In the fourth season of “Emily in Paris,” Lily Collins’ Emily Cooper took a note from the author’s most famous soiree and threw her own masquerade ball. Her flamboyant look for the episode, a black-and-white striped catsuit with an attachable ballskirt and a dramatic hat, was made possible by Nina Ricci’s creative director Harris Reed.
“It was really unique to dip my toe into costume design,” Reed told WWD.
The designer explained he focused on creating “for a character rather than the person,” thinking about the “cinematic impact rather than red carpet” and understanding “how ‘Emily’ rather than ‘Lily’” would move in the garment. “It was like creating for a friends’ alter ego,” he said.
Lily Collins in “Emily in Paris” Season Four.
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Harris created three outfits for the episode in collaboration with costume designer Marylin Fitoussi and Collins.
“I met Lily when she was filming ‘Emily in Paris’,” he said. “Lily totally understands that everything I do is about larger-than-life silhouettes and drama and has always been so supportive. We’d always wanted to have a moment together, so this finally happening in such an iconic scene was genuinely a dream come true.”
The trio ended up choosing the striped ensemble, which was inspired by a striped dress worn by Babe Paley’s daughter Amanda Carter Burden for Capote’s masquerade ball in 1966 and Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady.”
Amanda Carter Burden with her brother at Truman Capote’s Black and White ball on Nov. 28, 1966, in New York.
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“For me Lily Collins feels like our generations’ Audrey Hepburn. She has this classic, elegant, old Hollywood aura to her,” the designer said.
Audrey Hepburn in “My Fair Lady” in 1964.
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
In Season Four of “Emily in Paris,” Collins’ character has stepped up her fashion game. “Emily is much more elevated, but she’s still unapologetic and a fish out of water. She’s showing the [true hidden gems] in her closet now,” Fitoussi told WWD. Her closet throughout the season features pieces from Philosophy Di Lorenzo Serafini, Jacquemus, Marni, Ozias, Miu Miu, La DoubleJ, Boss and more.
“Emily in Paris” Season Four, Part One debuted on Aug. 15, while Part Two will be available for streaming on Sept. 12.
