OVER his past few decades as a top fashion designer, Dennis Basso has styled his share of stars – all of them, actually.
A design darling for the rich and famous with a client roster that has included Elizabeth Taylor, J.LO, Oprah Winfrey, Joan Rivers, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Diana Ross, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and the Kardashians, Dennis is no stranger to drama.
He also doesn’t choose sides when it comes to fashionably outfitting First Ladies – he has dressed everyone from Michelle Obama to Melania Trump, and Nancy Reagan.
And don’t expect him to flinch even if Anna Wintour herself shows up in the front row of his show.
After all, he made all of the custom coats for Meryl Streep’s character in The Devil Wears Prada – loosely based on the Vogue editor-in-chief.
“I’ve dressed everybody, it’s a full spectrum,” he exclusively told The U.S. Sun.
As New York Fashion Week draws to a close, he took us behind the scenes of the frenzied event.
Because backstage is where the most fabled stories of fashion history come from.
The majority of his Spring 2024 runway looks – which will most likely be seen soon enough on red carpets – were all about chiffon, crepe de chine, double organza, tweed, and of course signature Dennis embellishments, this time in flowers.
There was also no shortage of pale blues and yellows, plus polka dots, on the lithe models that showed off his most recent designs.
Dennis’ latest SS24 collection featured an abundance of chiffon and organza – and his signature flower embellishment[/caption]
Known for tapping into talent to inspire his latest looks, Dennis’ muses have ranged from reality show stars to rockstar legends.
And not everyone gets into this exclusive club of being a DG girl – yes, that’s a thing.
Even actress Jane Seymour wanted to be a member of the Dennis Muse Club but didn’t make the cut.
In 2019, while attending Dennis’ Fashion Week show, she was famously quoted as saying she “had the urge to just get up and walk the runway.”
This year, the A-list set’s go-to fashion designer found his muse in none other than the ‘debutante of the decade’ during the 80s, Cornelia Guest – the epitome of American aristocracy.
The daughter of socialite CZ Guest, she was the original ‘it girl’ – sorry, Paris Hilton.
Speaking of the former Simple Life star and new mom, she’s often in Dennis’ FROW with her mom Cathy and sister Nicky, and has also walked for him.
Kardashian bestie Jonathan Cheban and former Housewife Kelly Bensimon were spotted front row at Dennis’ show[/caption]
“Cornelia did my first ever fashion show at the Regency in New York in 1983,” explained Dennis.
“I was a friend of her mother’s so had dressed them both numerous times over the years.
“We became close friends and have had a 40-year relationship and it’s just been amazing.
“My latest collection was inspired by the major American families and generational dressing.
“She’s the arbiter of fashion and style so it was just a great fit.”
Wanting to bring old-school style – as well as a bit of a sporty side – back into today’s fashion trends, Dennis knew that Cornelia was the only choice for his collection.
“She’s a little part tomboy which I find very appealing. She’s the woman who can be gardening or doing sports and then be ready to go out at night or to a gala afterward,” said Dennis.
In keeping with true Cornelia couture charm, his glamorous gowns and resort wear styles appear to be the perfect fit for everything from garden parties and weddings, to seaside resorts and winter hideaways.
Dennis’ creations are known for standing out, and his larger-than-life personality matches his power suits.
Cornelia closed out the SS24 show in a strapless gown with hand-embellished lace lined in organza, paired with black opera gloves and extravagant earrings.
“Given our long history, it was the perfect finale,” Dennis said.
Other famous faces who have made recent runway appearances at his shows include Lisa Rinna and her daughters Delilah Belle and Amelia Gray, as well as Mary J. Blige, and Martha Stewart.
Just earlier this year, America’s first Black supermodel, 70-year-old Beverly Johnson, stole the show with a standing ovation.
So what really does go on behind the scenes?
Let’s just say it takes a lot of madness to make the runway magic happen – and to make sure nothing comes apart at the seams, literally.
“Backstage is a lot of people. You have 20 models, 10 makeup artists, manicurists, and 20 dressers or more, and the next thing you know there are also security and PR people,” explained Dennis.
“There can be upwards of 80 people altogether, so it’s an enormous thing to orchestrate.
“But if you have professionals, everyone does what they are supposed to do.
“It’s a true team effort and it’s amazing all of the people that surround you to accomplish that 12 minutes on the runway. Without it, this could never happen.”
And that under half an hour of hosting a runway show doesn’t run cheap – most runway shows cost upwards of $100,000.
Even with all of that, sometimes model mishaps still happen.
At a show I attended a few years ago, more than one runway model tripped and took a tumble over their long gowns.
Still, the stylish show went on.
This year’s front-row guests included his good friend and famed architect Peter Morino, Kardashian bestie Jonathan Cheban, Real Housewives Ramona Singer and Kelly Bensimon, playmate Jordan Emanuel, Marlo Hampton, Amelie Anstett, Aaliah Jay, Indi Star, Sophie Sumner, Skye Aureiia, Agustina Palma, Gracie McGraw and Devon Windsor.
And though it might not be as popular today, don’t expect him to stop showcasing his signature fur coats – Dennis made it clear that the sables and chinchillas which can run up to $125,000 – are not going anywhere.
To Dennis, his furs are a part of high-end fashion itself.
Faux fans, can, however, snag cheaper versions of the real thing in his more casual, ready-to-wear line – Dennis by Dennis Basso.
He also sells the line on QVC.
Dennis, who believes in “dressing every woman” also offers home goods with blankets and teddy bears.
A model at this year’s show getting runway-ready[/caption]
Dennis’ muse for his SS24 collection was socialite and ‘debutante of the decade’ Cornelia Guest[/caption]
A model walks in one of Dennis’ looks that he designed for the woman who can show her sporty side but also looks glam at a gala[/caption]
Dennis and Cornelia having a laugh before they had to get down to serious styling business[/caption]
It takes a village of stylists, hair and makeup people, manicurists, and models to put a Fashion Week show together[/caption]
Here I am backstage with America’s first Black supermodel to appear on the cover of Vogue, Beverly Johnson, at Dennis’ February 2023 Fashion Week show[/caption]
Another runway look from this year’s show which was inspired by America’s greatest families[/caption]
Sitting in the front row with Dennis’s muse Paris Hilton at his February 2017 show[/caption]
A model walks in his latest show to a star-studded front row[/caption]
September 14, 2023 at 11:01PM
from The Sun