Great Outfits in Fashion History: Tyra Banks as a Life-Size Barbie in Anna Sui

She tapped into Barbiecore before it was even a thing.

Author:
Janelle Sessoms
Publish date:
Apr 25, 2024

tyra-banks-go — Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

There are perfectly good celebrity style moments, and then there are the looks that really stick with you, the ones you try desperately to recreate at home. In 'Great Outfits in Fashion History,' Fashionista editors are revisiting their all-time favorite lewks.

Anyone who knows me knows that I have a (totally healthy) relationship with "America's Next Top Model". I'm a self-proclaimed expert: At this point, I could write a dissertation on smizing, drekitude, when a model is a noun not the verb (iykyk), finding your light and posing head-to-toe (H2T) — but, of course, most of the chapters would be dedicated to Tyra Banks.

While her infamous show is how I first learned her name, I've fallen down the rabbit hole of studying her modeling career pre-"ANTM", and learned how — just like the other supermodels of her time — she was as much a public figure as she was an industry name. As such, her-red carpet style never failed to start conversations.

Let's look at when the model wore a Barbie-pink Anna Sui number from the designer's Spring 1998 collection at the MTV Movie Awards that same year. (Proof she was destined to play a "Life Size" doll in 2000.)

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tyra-banks-go-1998 — Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

The halter-neck style had an extra element of vibrancy, thanks to its complementing gold trimming and subtle embroidered detailing. In peak late-'90s fashion, Banks accessorized with a Hello Kitty handbag and bright green open-toe pumps.

Nostalgic fashion can be hit or miss, but this is an outfit she could have easily re-worn at the "ANTM" judging panel. Want to recreate Banks' look? Scroll through the gallery below for curated selections.