Christian Siriano Asks: What Does One Wear to a Gala in the World of 'Dune'?

Andrea Bossi

February 8, 2024 at 10:24 PM·5 min read

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Christian Siriano tends to lean towards the fantastical and glamorous, previously referencing the worlds of "The Nutcracker" and "The Matrix," for example. For Fall 2024, the American designer turned to another otherworldly cinematic universe.

Revealed Thursday evening at New York City's prized Plaza Hotel, his latest collection takes inspiration from "Dune": not the 2021 version starring Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet, but the 1984 film by David Lynch. Siriano imagined the wardrobe of someone in this arid setting who... might not be going to war with the baron, but is going to a ball. If House Atreides hosted a fete at its palatial address, then this would be the dress code: shiny cropped jackets, slinky gowns and tulle that obscures the face with a touch of mystique.

"I was watching the [old] film and looking at posters from the original, and I was like... what if we lived in this world, this desert, this other planet? It is apocalyptic, but also what would you wear for evening? What's the glamour? What would you wear to a cocktail party? What would you wear to a gala if you had to live in this other realm?" he told Fashionista backstage.

Siriano executed his sartorial charm with an earth-toned palette this season. Some looks focus on tailoring, like gilded suiting, bubble hems and clay-colored dresses with chiffon details. Utilitarian belts feel like they could be found on a contemporary stillsuit. Capes imbue the regal energy of a desert princess (or 1984's Lady Jessica). The designer (a former dancer) didn't ditch his penchant for ballet-coded pieces — corsets and satins fit for a sugar plum fairy are present throughout — but Fall 2024 is distinct. The world of "Dune" is balanced with the aesthetics a Siriano customer loves season after season.

"The colors really build from the sands to the sunsets, to the warmth of that world, into this kind of starry night," Siriano tells Fashionista. Of his favorite parts of the movie: "The actual worm is quite gorgeous in certain ways! The sand and how it collapses is such a cinematic thing."

As if mirroring his love for the worm's odd grace, Siriano crafted these clothes to be flowy, to let air move through the fabrics. But he also interspersed sexy, "modern" details like hip cutouts. Tulle collars and trains on A-line dresses are engineered and pleated to move with ease, too.

At the show, which kicked off New York Fashion Week, models like Siriano-favorite Coco Rocha dominated the runway, while a buzzy front row included the likes of Alicia Silverstone and Ashlee Simpson. The soundtrack ranged from techno-desert-party-rave vibes to a Christopher Nolan score. (Daft Punk was followed by Ludwig Göransson's "Can You Hear The Music" from "Oppenheimer.")

Siriano, who recently spoke with Fashionista's Editor-in-Chief Dhani Mau on The Fashionista Network, is known for having his pieces graze just about every red carpet, from the Grammys to the Oscars to the CFDA Awards. If Law Roach and Zendaya are looking for any more "Dune: Part Two" press tour looks, several of these pieces feel exceptionally appropriate, even if Siriano says he didn't make them with that goal in mind.

Keep scrolling to see every look from Christian Siriano's Fall 2024 collection.