Opera Emerges as Surprise Fashion Favorite

Designers and celebrities embrace the high-culture aesthetic on runways and red carpets.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:19pm

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The opera genre has unexpectedly become a major fashion trend, with designers like Michael Kors, Jonathan Anderson, and Conner Ives incorporating operatic elements into their latest collections. Celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, Demi Moore, and Teyana Taylor have also embraced the opera-inspired look, donning dramatic opera capes and gloves on the red carpet. This high-culture aesthetic is seen as a rebuke to minimalism and a return to exuberant luxury in fashion.

Why it matters

The sudden popularity of opera in fashion signals a broader cultural shift, with consumers seeking out more ornate, high-art inspired styles as a backlash against the great minimalist reset. This trend also highlights fashion's cyclical nature, as designers look to unexpected sources of inspiration to stand out in a crowded market.

The details

Designers have been incorporating opera references into their recent collections, from Michael Kors' 45th anniversary show at the Metropolitan Opera to Jonathan Anderson costuming an opera production. Runway looks have featured sumptuous textures like velvet and jacquard, as well as dramatic opera gloves and capes. Celebrities have also embraced the opera-inspired aesthetic, with stars like Jennifer Lawrence, Demi Moore, and Teyana Taylor wearing opera-influenced pieces on the red carpet.

  • In fall/winter 2026, Michael Kors featured opera coats and glamorous elbow-length gloves in his anniversary show at the Metropolitan Opera.
  • Earlier this year, Jonathan Anderson costumed the Michael R. Jackson opera 'Complications in Sue' at Opera Philadelphia.
  • At the 2026 Oscars, Demi Moore and Anne Hathaway accessorized their looks with black opera gloves.

The players

Michael Kors

A fashion designer who has incorporated music into his runway shows, including opera references in his fall/winter 2026 collection.

Jonathan Anderson

A fashion designer who recently costumed an opera production at Opera Philadelphia.

Conner Ives

A fashion designer who opened his fall 2026 show with a model wearing a reconstituted vintage opera-style jacket.

Jennifer Lawrence

An actress who wore an opera cape-style jacket from Conner Ives's fall 2025 collection to the premiere of 'Die My Love'.

Teyana Taylor

An actress and singer who has made opera gloves a cornerstone of her red-carpet looks, wearing them to events like the BAFTAs and the world premiere of 'One Battle After Another'.

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What they’re saying

“Opera might seem as out of left field as last season's 18th century obsession or fall/winter 2025's love of all things medieval—but today, the signifiers of high culture have become a luxury in themselves.”

— Véronique Hyland, Author

“Tristan und Isolde, despite being over 160 years old and nearly five hours long, is a hot ticket; audiences are powering through with the help of caffeine and baby carrots, according to the New York Times Style section.”

— Véronique Hyland, Author

What’s next

Fashion designers and brands are likely to continue exploring opera-inspired aesthetics in upcoming collections, as the high-culture trend shows no signs of slowing down. Consumers can expect to see more dramatic opera gloves, capes, and other operatic elements on the runway and red carpet.

The takeaway

The sudden popularity of opera in fashion reflects a broader cultural shift, as consumers seek out more ornate, high-art inspired styles as a reaction against minimalism. This trend highlights fashion's cyclical nature and the industry's ability to find inspiration in unexpected places.