Olivia Rodrigo's Melting Dress on The Unraveled Tour Revives Hussein Chalayan's Spring 2016 Runway Experiment
On September 25, Olivia Rodrigo kicked off The Unraveled Tour at Hartford's PeoplesBank Arena, captivating the audience with her performance of "The Cure" while wearing a bespoke white mini dress that disintegrated on stage. As she sang the lyrics "I'm unraveled," a cascade of artificial rain revealed a striking fire-red corseted bodysuit underneath. The dress, crafted by Hussein Chalayan, drew inspiration from his spring 2016 collection, which featured garments that dissolved to unveil new layers. Chalayan's team dedicated six months to creating the water-reactive fabric. Rodrigo's tour outfits, styled by Chloe and Chenelle Delgadillo, also include a white ruffled babydoll dress by Dilara Findikoglu, a cropped graphic tee paired with hot-pink micro shorts, a flared leather mini from R&M Leathers, and a tank top with vintage blue jeans and Vans.
Key facts
- Olivia Rodrigo performed "The Cure" at Hartford's PeoplesBank Arena on September 25, opening The Unraveled Tour.
- Her custom white collared mini dress dissolved under artificial rain to reveal a fire-red corseted bodysuit and miniskirt.
- The garment was custom-designed and developed by Hussein Chalayan, revisiting his spring 2016 runway experiment.
- Chalayan's spring 2016 show featured models in white paper garments dissolved by hidden showerheads to expose palm-patterned dresses with Swarovski crystals.
- Chalayan and his team spent around six months developing the water-reactive material.
- The spring 2016 collection was inspired by Cuba and its changing political and cultural landscape.
- Chalayan's career includes a Central Saint Martins graduate collection of buried, decayed clothes, plus designs with mechanical parts, lasers, LEDs, and crystal "pollen."
- Rodrigo's tour wardrobe is styled by Chloe and Chenelle Delgadillo and includes pieces by Dilara Findikoglu and R&M Leathers.
Entities
Artists
- Olivia Rodrigo
- Hussein Chalayan
- Sofia Coppola
- Jane Birkin
- Chloe Delgadillo
- Chenelle Delgadillo
- Dilara Findikoglu
Institutions
- Central Saint Martins
- PeoplesBank Arena
- Swarovski
- R&M Leathers
- Vans
- Vogue
Locations
- Hartford
- United States
- Cyprus
- United Kingdom
- Cuba