By Marissa Rotolo
Nicole Weingart / Bravo via ENews
The bonds of girlhood: building each other up when you need it most, shopping in each other's closet, and stepping out with vengeance on your minds. It’s a tale as old as time for the feminine experience. Dressing to impress-or regret. Revenge dresses have taken shape in the zeitgeist. Done first by Princess Diana, the revenge dress has become a cultural phenomenon. Since Diana’s 1994 revenge moment, women all over the world have followed suit by turning revenge dresses into an action, an expectation, and a moment.
Princess Diana appeared at a function at the Serpentine Gallery amid her separation from Prince Charles. The photographer, Tim Graham, recalls how the arrival only lasted about 30 seconds, but the moment has lasted forever. In a now infamous interview, Prince Charles confessed his infidelity to Diana. Following this, Diana’s dress has been called the “I’ll show you dress,” “serpentine cocktail,” “vengeance dress,” and most commonly, “the revenge dress.”
Ariana Madix is a renowned Bravo royalty. Seen on Love Island USA, the Vanderpump Rules star had to be subjected to 7 months of infidelity via an affair between her life partner of 10 years, Tom Sandoval, and her best friend, Rachel Leviss. Pop culture has cleverly named this scandal “Scandoval.” 2 weeks after the news broke, the Pump Rules cast gathered for a reunion to cap off their 10th season. Madix stunned in this two-piece red set. With words that could kill, so did Ariana’s look that day.
Not necessarily a “revenge dress,” but Sex and The City’s Carrie Bradshaw said a million words without a single sound when she showed up to Big’s engagement party Dior silk slip. The gang had just finished a boozy brunch where they compared themselves to characters in The Way We Were. Carrie quotes the line “your girl is lovely Hubbell.” to Big, where he responds, “I don’t get it.” Carrie chuckles and says, “You never did.” This line encapsulates a million things he never did and a million things she’ll never say.
Thanks to Princess Diana, the Revenge Dress is a staple among pop culture and continues to empower women in their experiences. A symbol of independence, utter confidence, and undeniable strength, The revenge dress will continue to exude power for generations to come.
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