Emma Stone turned heads in Midtown Manhattan this week by slipping into a vintage Donna Karan ensemble that instantly recalled a memorable 1990s film moment. The Oscar winner’s nod to retro glamour prompted fans to compare her look to Gwyneth Paltrow’s iconic green outfit from the 1998 adaptation of Great Expectations.
Stone’s street-style throwback: what she wore
Photographers caught Stone on Oct. 22 walking through New York in a matching Donna Karan silk set. The outfit was a long-sleeved top with a neat collar and a single clasp, paired with a flowing maxi skirt from the designer’s spring/summer 1996 line.
- Top: vintage Donna Karan, long sleeves, collared, single clasp.
- Skirt: coordinating Donna Karan maxi, archival spring/summer 1996.
- Shoes: Manolo Blahnik Susa mules in black leather with kitten heels.
The shoes drew attention, too. Stone chose the Manolo Blahnik Susa mules, a crossover-strap style with kitten heels. The pair retails for about $895.
Why viewers linked the look to Gwyneth Paltrow’s Estella
The outfit’s color and period styling echoed the wardrobe worn by Gwyneth Paltrow in Alfonso Cuarón’s 1998 Great Expectations. In that film, Paltrow played Estella, a polished and enigmatic love interest opposite Ethan Hawke’s character.
How a costume became a 1990s fashion moment
Design choices in the movie leaned into a cohesive palette. Paltrow has said the production favored one color story throughout, which helped the garments become instantly recognizable.
- Director: Alfonso Cuarón.
- Source material: Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, adapted to modern New York.
- Co-star: Ethan Hawke as the film’s romantic lead.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s memories of the green wardrobe
In a past conversation about her style moments, Paltrow reflected on costume meetings and the designer’s influence. She recalled learning the film would use a unified green theme for sets and clothes, which she found both surprising and fitting for the era and character.
Paltrow credited Donna Karan’s collection with shaping Estella’s aesthetic and noted how the garments felt perfect for the character’s polished, 1990s elegance.
The fountain scene that cemented the look
One scene from the movie remains especially talked-about. Paltrow believes a sensual moment shared on film helped the outfit become emblematic of the decade.
Stone’s recent hair choices and the on-screen sacrifice
Emma Stone has attracted headlines for bold hair changes, including a short pixie and a public account of shaving her head for a role. She described the pressure of performing a single-take head shave on camera and the emotions that accompanied the choice.
Stone said thinking of her mother helped make the decision feel meaningful and grounding. She called the experience freeing and framed it as a gift.
Quick facts and context for fashion fans
- Emma Stone: Oscar-winning actress known for both red-carpet and transformative roles.
- Gwyneth Paltrow: played Estella in the 1998 film adaptation.
- Designer link: Donna Karan provided key looks that shaped the film’s costume identity.
- Notable footwear: Manolo Blahnik Susa mules, a high-end classic favored by many celebrities.
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