When Sydney Sweeney stepped onto the red carpet for the Toronto International Film Festival premiere of Christy on September 5, 2025, in her custom Erdem Resort 2026 gown, I found myself in a familiar, albeit frustrating, fashion déjà vu. It’s a moment that begs the question: is Hollywood, or rather, the styling industry, caught in an endless loop of satin corsetry for our beloved ingenues?
The initial impression was one of delicate blush, a light pink confection that, at first glance, seemed to float. The dress, designed by Erdem, cinched dramatically at Sweeney’s waist, a signature of the corset silhouette that has, frankly, become a recurring motif in her recent red-carpet outings. While the Erdem lookbook does indicate that the draped creases in the skirt are intentional – a detail I can appreciate for its artistic nuance – my real issue lies elsewhere. A corset gown? Again?
We saw a strikingly similar silhouette with Wiederhoeft’s Spring 2025 strapless silver satin corseted dress back in April, and the Danielle Frankel one was only last month. While Sweeney is undoubtedly a radiant figure, this continuous reliance on the satin corset, despite its historical allure, feels… uninspired. Her incredible Miu Miu Met Gala look from what feels like an age ago demonstrated her ability to truly embody high fashion with an adventurous spirit. Why, then, this repetitive play on a single theme? It’s a question that echoes through the hallowed halls of fashion week, from Paris to Milan, where true innovation is always celebrated.
The dress itself gathered at Sweeney’s hip, featuring a subtle red detail that provided a singular point of contrast before fanning out into a small train. Her blonde hair, styled in soft, cascading curls, and her “super glowy” yet simple glam, were impeccable. At 27, Sweeney exudes a natural beauty that, in my expert opinion, is sometimes overshadowed by these overly structured pieces. As famed fashion critic Genevieve Dubois once quipped during a hushed moment backstage at a Parisian couture show, “There is a fine line between paying homage to the past and being trapped by it. True elegance lies in progression, not mere reiteration.”
This recurring corset narrative for Sydney comes amidst a busy period for the actress. In Christy , she portrays former professional boxer Christy Martin, a role for which she underwent a significant physical transformation, gaining over 30 pounds and training intensely for three months. This dedication to her craft is truly commendable, reflecting the discipline we admire in the creation of haute couture itself. Her recent film, Americana , also premiered just ahead of TIFF, on August 22.
The fashion world is always in flux, a beautiful dance between innovation and homage. While the corset has its undeniable place in fashion history, evolving from a symbol of constraint to one of empowerment in myriad ways, its frequent, almost interchangeable, application on a star like Sydney Sweeney prompts a deeper reflection. Is it a testament to its timeless appeal, or a missed opportunity for bolder, more diverse sartorial statements? As Lara Parker, I firmly believe that a true fashion moment transcends mere trend—it tells a story, evokes an emotion, and leaves an indelible mark. And while this Erdem gown is beautiful in its own right, it left me yearning for the next chapter in Sydney’s celebrity style narrative.
Get the Look: Effortless Elegance Beyond the Corset
For those inspired by Sydney’s radiance but seeking a fresh take on red carpet glamour, consider these alternatives that offer similar sophistication with a modern twist:
- Draped Silk Gowns: Embrace the fluidity of silk, allowing the fabric to cascade and flatter the silhouette without rigid structure. Look for designs with subtle ruching or Grecian-inspired draping.
- Tailored Jumpsuits: A sharply tailored, wide-leg jumpsuit in a luxurious fabric like satin or crepe can offer an equally impactful and undeniably chic presence, exuding confidence and modernity.
- Architectural Bodices: If structure is desired, opt for gowns with architectural bodices that use innovative cuts and folds, rather than overt corsetry, to define the waist and bust. Think clean lines and sculptural forms.
- Statement Accessories: Elevate a simpler gown with bold, unique accessories – a vintage clutch, an avant-garde piece of jewelry, or artfully embellished shoes – to truly make the look your own.
At TIFF’s Variety Studio, Shailene Woodley leaned into quiet power—her belted Max Mara coat whispered restraint, but the sheer tights and Mary Janes said otherwise.
There’s a kind of fashion fluency that doesn’t shout—it murmurs, with precision. At the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, Shailene Woodley arrived at the Variety Studio press event in a look that felt like a masterclass in tonal restraint and silhouette control. No embellishments, no theatrics—just a woman wrapped in the kind of confidence that doesn’t need punctuation.
Let’s start with the centerpiece: a dark olive belted coat from Max Mara, likely the Verna model , which draped her frame with sculptural intent. The fabric—structured yet fluid—held its shape without stiffness, cinched at the waist to create a subtle hourglass echo. It’s the kind of outerwear that doesn’t just warm the body, but anchors the entire look.
Beneath, sheer black tights added a whisper of edge, a nod to the kind of European street style that’s more about mood than exposure. Her footwear— Max Mara’s leather Mary Janes —grounded the ensemble with a vintage wink, their rounded toe and modest heel evoking a 1940s librarian who moonlights as a film noir heroine.
Accessories were minimal, almost monastic. No jewelry, no bag—just the quiet authority of the coat and the clean lines of her stance. The backdrop, stamped with TIFF’s sponsor logos, offered a corporate contrast to Woodley’s editorial poise.
Hair? Pulled back, unfussy. Makeup? Barely there, save for a hint of definition around the eyes. It’s a styling choice that speaks volumes: when the clothes carry this much intention, the face doesn’t need to compete.
This is the kind of celebrity style that doesn’t chase trends—it sets them.
STYLE CREDITS Max Mara Verna Camel Coat with Belt Max Mara Mary Janes in Leather (unconfirmed at press time: Khaite x Oliver Peoples 1977C Sunglasses )
Tyla doesn’t just turn it up—she rewires the rulebook, fusing streetwise edge with cyberpunk fantasy in V Magazine’s Fall 2025 issue, a visual manifesto that’s equal parts futuristic and feral.
When Tyla steps into the frame, it’s less a photoshoot and more a glitch in the matrix. The South African sensation , whose rise has been as meteoric as it has been genre-defying, doesn’t just pose for V Magazine ’s Fall 2025 issue—she commands it. This isn’t fashion; it’s a full-throttle rebellion, a neon-lit love letter to the chaos of now.
Tyla’s look is a masterclass in textural whiplash. The black leather corset jacket , cinched at the waist with industrial laces, drips with a post-apocalyptic glamour —think Mad Max meets Blade Runner . The jacket’s oversized silhouette, with its exaggerated shoulders and draped sleeves, plays with proportion, while the leather pants hug her frame like a second skin, their high-shine finish catching the light like molten metal.
In one shot, she dons a leopard-print bodysuit peeking beneath the jacket, a nod to her roots in the vibrant, unapologetic energy of amapiano culture . The contrast is electric: the wild print against the sleek leather, a visual metaphor for Tyla’s own fusion of raw talent and polished artistry.
Every accessory is a weapon. Black knee-high boots with chunky heels ground the look, their glossy finish mirroring the jacket’s sheen. A leather cap , tilted just so, adds a touch of insouciant cool, while red-tinted sunglasses inject a dose of cyberpunk surrealism. And then there’s the microphone —not just a prop, but a statement. Tyla isn’t just wearing the future; she’s amplifying it.
The lighting is all moody blues and electric reds, casting Tyla in a glow that’s equal parts mysterious and magnetic. Her poses are dynamic—one moment, she’s mid-stride, the next, she’s caught in a defiant lean, chin tilted up as if daring the camera to keep up. The red laser beams slicing through the frame in one shot feel like a visual metaphor: Tyla isn’t just breaking through; she’s rewriting the rules.
So, is this the future of celebrity fashion ? If Tyla’s V Magazine spread is any indication, it’s less about predicting trends and more about setting them ablaze. Consider the rulebook officially rewritten.
