Carey Mulligan Acknowledged Your Critiques of Her 2024 Oscars Dress—Here’s Her Bold Reply

      When I asked my Who What Wear colleagues to vote on the most beautiful Oscars dresses of all time before this year's ceremony, one gown stood out as the clear favorite: the Balenciaga dress worn by Carey Mulligan on the Academy Awards red carpet in 2024. The strapless black and white mermaid gown was a recreation of a Cristobal Balenciaga design from 1951. As soon as Mulligan's photos were released that day, I knew she would top everyone's best-dressed rankings. However, the dress's popularity didn't prevent aspiring fashion critics from sharing their opinions. Some segments of social media criticize the re-creation of classic designs as mere repetitions of the past. They contend that fashion should emphasize originality, innovative ideas, and creativity over nostalgia and recognizable styles. In our upcoming April cover story, Mulligan addressed her detractors. "I think there's integrity in it," she shared with Who What Wear. "I don't believe it's just revisiting old concepts. There are numerous vintage ideas or dresses that don’t translate well to our current context and would appear unusual. But if you discover pieces that resonate today, like that dress did, you’re giving it another chance in the world, which I think it absolutely deserves—something as stunning as that. Many dresses wouldn't meet that standard, but that one did. I believe artists should draw inspiration from remarkable creations of the past." Who can dispute that? Scroll down to revisit the gown in question.

      Revisit Carey Mulligan's 2024 Oscars Dress by Balenciaga

      (Image credit: Getty Images)

      (Image credit: Getty Images)

      (Image credit: Getty Images)

      Read Our Full Cover Story With Carey Mulligan

      (Image credit: Gina Gizella Manning; Wardrobe: Prada jumpsuit, gloves, and shoes) Click here to explore our imaginative high-fashion photoshoot with Carey Mulligan and to read our comprehensive interview.