Hailey Bieber Proves Leather Can Be Elegant in a Sculptural Mugler Gown That’s Completely Backless
Darling, if there’s one thing Hailey Bieber understands, it’s the art of making an entrance. The model—who’s built a career on effortless cool and that coveted “model-off-duty” aesthetic—decided to remind us all why she remains fashion’s most-watched muse. Last night at Vogue World: Hollywood, held at the iconic Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, Bieber didn’t just attend the October 26 event. She owned it.
The piece in question? A not-yet-released masterpiece from Mugler’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection, plucked straight from the runway a mere 25 days after its debut. Yes, you read that correctly—25 days. It’s the kind of fashion coup that only happens when you have stylist extraordinaire Danni Michelle in your corner, working her industry magic to secure what might be the most covetable dress of the season.
But let’s talk about the dress itself, because this wasn’t your average little black dress moment. Bieber selected a retro-inspired leather pencil silhouette that Miguel Castro Freitas—making his debut for the French house—designed with the kind of architectural precision that makes fashion editors weak in the knees. From the front, the off-the-shoulder neckline plunged dramatically, anchored by a single glossy leather rosette positioned at the bust. It’s giving 2023 flower power, but make it dangerously sophisticated. The form-hugging construction flowed into a calf-length skirt that honored classic Hollywood glamour while remaining utterly contemporary.
Here’s where things get truly delicious: what appeared to be a relatively conservative (albeit stunning) leather dress from the front revealed its true personality from behind. Discreet side cut-outs cleverly concealed the pièce de résistance—an entirely open back. The dress’s straps connected into a thick tubular closure across Bieber’s clavicle, offering a tantalizing glimpse of her delicate upper back tattoo placed along her side. It’s the kind of surprise reveal that makes photographers scramble and fashion lovers swoon.
Ever the minimalist, Bieber understood that this dress needed no competition. Styled by Dani Michelle, she kept accessories streamlined: black Saint Laurent Elysee Pumps (her tried-and-true favorites), a $1,625 structured leather box clutch from Wardrobe.NYC, and massive diamond studs that caught the light with every turn. The jewelry? Tiffany & Co., naturally. For beauty, she opted for her signature slicked-back bun and that impossibly dewy skin that’s become her trademark—and perhaps not coincidentally, the entire aesthetic of her beauty brand, Rhode.
Seated front row beside Miley Cyrus—who also committed to black leather for the evening—Bieber sparked an immediate social media frenzy. “She is so perfect it hurts,” one fan declared in the comments. Another gushed, “Stunning, and this dress looks incredible.” The consensus? Universal adoration.
While Bieber has long counted leather as a cornerstone of her daily uniform—think oversize motorcycle jackets thrown over mesh basketball shorts or sleek coats layered atop vintage jeans—last night proved she’s equally comfortable elevating the material to red carpet status. This backless leather dress carried all the edge she needed, with a hefty dose of sophistication to boot.
