At the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, Jennifer Lopez proved to the fashion world why her red-carpet appearances are treated like events. While trends came and went, Lopez chose something more enduring: archival haute couture. The result was a sheer, golden-toned gown that merged the daring “naked dress” aesthetic with the romance and craftsmanship of early-2000s couture.
The dress came from Jean Louis Scherrer’s 2003 haute couture collection, a period known for its devotion to handwork and dramatic silhouettes. Lopez’s gown followed a classic mermaid shape, hugging her figure with a form-fitting bodice before flaring into an expansive skirt made from hundreds of yards of silk tulle. The sheer base was layered with brown lace and baroque-inspired embroidery, creating the illusion of intricate patterns floating over her skin. In some areas, the appliqué was embellished with stones that caught the light, giving the look a subtle shimmer with every step.
What made the moment more compelling was that this was not a borrowed or newly sourced piece. On the red carpet, Lopez revealed the gown came from her own wardrobe, acquired from the luxury vintage boutique LILY et Cie. By wearing something she already owned, Lopez added a personal and sustainable dimension to the look, proving that archival fashion can feel as fresh and relevant as anything straight off a runway.
LILY et Cie later celebrated the moment on social media, describing the gown as a “French couture fantasy” crafted from silk tulle, lace, and hand-placed stones, a level of workmanship that belongs to the grand couture houses of another era. Their words captured what many fashion observers were thinking: this was not just a dress, but a piece of wearable history.
Lopez’s longtime styling duo, Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn, kept the rest of the look refined and balanced, letting the gown remain the focal point. She paired it with classic Christian Louboutin heels and completed the look with Sabyasachi earrings and rings. A Judith Leiber clutch completed the ensemble, reinforcing the overall aesthetic’s old-Hollywood glamour.
Her hair, styled by Chris Appleton, was swept into an elegant updo with a single loose tendril framing her face, a soft counterpoint to the structured gown. Makeup stayed understated and chic, with a nude lip and smoky eyes that highlighted her features without competing with the dress. As an archival couture piece, it represents a time when fashion houses devoted extraordinary hours to embroidery, draping, and hand-finishing. By bringing it to one of the world’s most-watched red carpets, Lopez revived that craftsmanship for a new generation.
