Did you ever play with those old-school dolls whose eyes blinked when you tipped them back and forth? I certainly did, and the memory of those thick, almost furry black eyelashes moving as I rocked my baby doll is forever imprinted in my head—so much so that when I saw Marc Jacobs’s fall 2024 fashion show beauty, I instantly flashed back to those childhood dolls.
Jacobs is embracing joy for fall 2024, as he explained that the theme for the show was “Joy, period.” As such, the runway was packed with bright colors in exaggerated silhouettes that vintage doll clothes and Disney princesses would definitely wear. But the clothes weren’t the only surrealistic aspect of the evening. Atop their eyes, models wore colorful appliques in shades of pastel blue, purple, and pink, trimmed with curly fabric meant to resemble those blinking doll lashes of yore, a la a ’60s Blythe doll all dressed up. Did they obscure their vision? Maybe! But it looked great. Diane Kendal, a longtime Jacobs collaborator, was behind the look.
Getty Images
Getty Images
Hairstylist Duffy, who also frequently works with Jacobs, created equally doll-like, ’50s-inspired updos for the models, slicking their hair back with gelled, curly baby bangs atop their foreheads and and sculpting ulta-precise short, square chignons at the crown of their heads. When paired with the oversized, dramatic silhouettes of the gowns, skirt suits, and even a yellow polka dot bikini, the look felt deliciously cheeky and cartoonish in the very best way.
Getty Images
Getty Images
Dolls have been on Jacobs’s mind as of late. For his 40th anniversary show in early 2024, Kendal and her team coated models’ lashes with tons of black lacquer and each one walked the runway in full, bouffant wigs inspired by ‘60s ladies who lunch, but the doll version. We’re not going to recommend you walk around wearing faux doll eyelids and lashes over your eyes on the daily, but if you need a little mood boost, there’s nothing like some runway magic to lift your spirits.
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