Kate and Laura Mulleavy, that’s who. Oh, and Amy Gutmann.
Imagine my surprise when I collapsed onto the couch in my dorm lounge feeling gross and freezing after a particularly draining day, only to look to my left and see freshman Michele Ozer dressed to perfection in this stunning dress. I immediately told her to stay out while I ran to get my camera. I’m obsessed with her dress: the shape is classic and elegant, yet made totally modern by the sheer tulle and lace bralette detailing.
This Executive Editor of the Weekly Pennsylvanian (impressed? I am) was killing time before heading out to the DP banquet with none other than Penn superstar Amy Gutmann. When prompted about the gorgeousness of her dress, which she paired with simple black tights and classic black patent pumps, Michele responded with a modest, “It’s just Rodarte for Target.” The line that designer sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy created for Target in the winter of 2009, as any Target collaboration collection, will be coveted forever. It’s also the one that got away from me, so I’ll admit to being a little envious of her being able to snag this dress. “Northeast suburbia just isn’t really on top of their designers, I guess,” she shrugged as a possible explanation for her good fortune.
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It’s one of those clothing items that comes with an inherent degree of sartorial perfection. From its tulle overlay to the giant, fun bows on the shoulders to the cute keyhole in the back, this dress was made to be worn effortlessly, and Michele did just that. The ideal choice for a banquet dinner, something about this dress brings you back to the era of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan, so much so that it inspired friend and 34th Street Copy Editor Ben Lerner to get in on the impromptu photo shoot and channel his inner nouveau-riche.
It’s not every day that you get to go to dinner with Amy Gutmann. When you do, take a page out of Michele’s book and go for something classically chic. And if you wanted to wear something like this to a quick dinner at 1920 Commons, I’d support that choice, too.