Another key entry point for Ackie is the wardrobe of couturier Charles Antoinette Jones, who last year
Shining (and getting some award nominations) Judas and the Black Messiah . Delving into how Houston has dressed over the decades, they were able to identify — and gain a deeper understanding of — the dichotomy between her private and public life. “On closer inspection, we saw two very different sides of Whitney,” Akey explained. “Her friends and family called Nippy, which was her nickname when she was out of the public eye, and it was more calm and down to earth: jeans and tracksuits and all that. Then Whitney Houston showed up at On TV screens and on stage, in these beautiful, stylish dresses and sequins. Lesson in fashion history.” It’s so glamorous, from fashion to hair to makeup trends – even brow trends! ’ Ackie recalls. “It all helped me to place her in a specific time and a specific moment in her journey. ’ In fact, the more Ackey and the costume team considered Houston’s place in pop culture history, the more they realized how much of an influence she had on fashion. It’s partly because so many people dress like her,” Ackie explained. “It’s definitely our goal to make Whitney a style icon. As for Ackie’s personal favorite Houston look? That would be her classic formula of leather jacket, white tank top and high-waisted jeans as a 21 ingénue, or a gold Marc Bouwer gown and the jeweled turban she wore 80 to a performance commemorating Nelson Mandela in South Africa. “She looked so regal and beautiful,” Aki sighed of the latter look
So, for the premiere of I Wanna Dance with Somebody in NYC tonight, Ackie and her look It makes sense that Nicky Yates turned to one of fashion’s most extravagant (and offbeat) purveyors of high glamor and glitz: Schiaparelli’s Daniel Roseberry. But for Ackie, the Schiaparelli house also had an emotional connection, and he Studied textiles at university and even considered becoming a tailor if the show failed.”My first fashion show in Paris was the Schiaparelli Haute Couture show on the eve of the lockdown and I was very nervous because I had never stood on anything before. “I know the history of Schiaparelli very well, and when I got there and the models started walking down the runway, I got really emotional because of the music and the clothes, and I started crying. “
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When Ackie and Yates started their usual process of putting together separate Pinterest mood boards and then getting together to share notes, they realized they both had a designated look 80 from Roseberry’s fall 2022 fashion collection: ie a gown made entirely of Swarovski crystal chains and silver glass trumpet beads, requires almost 5, Hours of hand embroidery work, topped with a stunning metal bodice made into a floral shape and studded with rhinestones. “I was talking to Nicky about the idea of liquid metal because I was thinking about The ‘Queen of the Night’ look from The Bodyguard,” says Ackie. “It’s a balance of femininity and a bit of toughness, especially with the metallic flowers. It just feels very feminine and sexy, but also like being protected—a kind of armor. “
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Later Yates to Schiaparelli Made a phone call and it looks like it’s theirs. Headed to Paris in November to visit Schiaparelli headquarters in founder Elsa Schiaparelli’s old apartment on Place Vendome – where Ackie was wearing a custom dress – It felt like a pilgrimage for Ackie. (She notes that her love of fashion spread in the family, recalling lively discussions about fashion with her sister and late mother.) “There was almost a church-like feeling going into that space. It feels like there’s so much history here,” says Aki, enthusiastically recounting the thrill of seeing seamstresses and atelier workers adjusting clothes up close. “It’s incredible, I feel dizzy the whole time. “
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except for Houston Carol, the look also reflects a major milestone for Ackie. With I Wanna Dance with Somebody marking her first in a major studio film The main character, it only makes sense to go big. “I don’t think I’ll have many opportunities to wear such a beautiful dress, you know,” she said. “You can’t go to Tesco in this! ’ Plus, it’s a sign of how far Ackie has come—and the excitement of finally bringing her biggest project to date into the world. Have fun and express yourself as much as you can,” she added.
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