Fashion Time Machine: How Kylie Jenner Made Madonna’s Most Iconic Look Her Own
In a sartorial homage that bridges decades of fashion rebellion, Kylie Jenner has masterfully channeled the Material Girl herself, donning a museum-worthy vintage Jean Paul Gaultier cone bra ensemble that sent ripples through both fashion and pop culture spheres. The youngest Kardashian-Jenner mogul’s latest editorial moment for “The Kardashians” Hulu campaign proves that true style transcends generational boundaries—and that the most audacious fashion statements never truly fade.
The 27-year-old beauty entrepreneur emerged as the undisputed style maven of Wednesday’s family photo shoot, commanding attention in Gaultier’s legendary black leather cone bra construction paired with a sleek pencil skirt that hugged her silhouette with architectural precision. This wasn’t merely fashion; it was fashion archaeology at its finest, resurrecting one of couture’s most provocative pieces for a new generation of admirers.
The ensemble’s provenance traces back to Madonna’s revolutionary 1990 Blond Ambition tour, where Gaultier’s conical creation became synonymous with female empowerment and sexual liberation. While Madonna’s original iteration featured pale pink tones, Jenner’s noir interpretation feels decidedly more modern, more mysterious—a contemporary twist on rebellion that speaks to today’s fashion landscape.
Jenner elevated the vintage masterpiece with Saint Laurent’s patent ankle-strap pumps, their pointed silhouette and $845 price point adding contemporary luxury to the historical narrative. The choice demonstrates her innate understanding that successful styling lies in the delicate balance between homage and innovation.
The family’s coordinated black aesthetic created a striking visual symphony, with each sister contributing to a collective fashion moment that felt both spontaneous and meticulously curated. Their playful lip-sync performance—mouthing “Oh my God, I’m turning into my mother” before matriarch Kris Jenner’s triumphant “Good”—added levity to what could have been an overly serious fashion statement.
Fashion historian Natalie Nudell’s previous analysis of Gaultier’s creation illuminates its deeper cultural significance. The cone bra’s transformation from restrictive undergarment to liberated outerwear represents a fundamental shift in how women claim agency over their bodies and sexuality. Jenner’s modern interpretation continues this legacy, proving that fashion’s most powerful statements often emerge from subverting traditional expectations.
The Gaultier piece, with its spiral stitching and exposed zipper details inspired by 1950s bullet bras, represents more than vintage fashion—it’s wearable feminism, a tangible reminder that clothing can be both armor and art. In Jenner’s hands, it becomes a bridge between Madonna’s groundbreaking moment and contemporary culture’s ongoing conversations about female empowerment.
This styling choice reinforces Jenner’s evolution from reality television personality to legitimate fashion influencer, demonstrating her ability to honor fashion history while making it entirely her own.
