The striking hidden messages in 'revenge dresses' worn by celebrities for their most difficult, high profile moments and what they REALLY mean - after Melania wowed in her bold inaugural ballgown
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They say it's a dish best served cold - but there’s nothing frigid about revenge dressing. Typically used to signify post-breakup fashion, the term came into the mainstream three decades ago, when Princess Diana attended the Serpentine Summer Party on a balmy evening in June, 1994.
![[But while the look from five years ago channelled a demure energy - adorned with cream detailing and a slender red belt - this week she was all about sharp contrasts and sharp angles]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/22/16/94395491-14312899-image-a-13_1737564755195.jpg)
All eyes were on the late Princess of Wales as she stepped out of her car wearing Greek designer Christina Stambolian’s now-iconic black velvet, off-shoulder dress with a plunging neckline. The scene-stealing outfit was a strategic sartorial choice; Diana was photographed wearing the ultimate little black dress - unshackled by royal protocol - just as her estranged husband, then-Prince Charles was appearing on national television and confessing to his affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles.
![[For her first appearance since their breakup, the actress decided to channel some happiness with a canary yellow brocade mini-dress by Olivier Theyskens for Nina Ricci at the 2007 Golden Globe Awards]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/22/14/94390789-14312899-image-a-4_1737557373330.jpg)
In the end, Diana’s dress spoke louder than Charles and her message was clear: ‘I’m moving on.’. For years, powerful women across the world have harnessed the power of haute couture to carry them through their most difficult and high-profile moments - from messy public breakups and incredible comebacks, to award show snubs and successes.
![[When Nicole Kidman chose a sheer Chanel dress for the World Premiere of The Others in February 2001, she knew what she was doing]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/22/17/94399421-14312899-image-a-23_1737566528865.jpg)
And the First Lady Melania Trump followed in this tradition with an Inaugural ball outfit strategically curated to let her haters know ‘I’m back and I’m better than ever’. The characteristically quiet wife of the newly-inaugurated 47th president Donald Trump made a dramatic return to the White House, with the whole world watching, while wearing a Hervé Pierre black and white crepe column gown.
![[When Mariah Carey first started her career, her ensembles - while still chic - were more modest than the ones fans will be used to today]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/22/16/94390369-14312899-When_Mariah_Carey_first_started_her_career_her_ensembles_while_s-a-14_1737564901757.jpg)
