From Alia Bhatt to Kim Kardashian, HELLO! India looks at 2025's most iconic archival looks

2025 became the year fashion pressed rewind, with celebrities embracing archival couture not as nostalgia, but as a statement. These weren’t just throwback moments; they were love letters to craftsmanship, history, and the kind of design that refuses to age. From Bollywood’s most-watched to global fashion powerhouses, here are the archival looks that defined the year.

1. Alia Bhatt in archival Gucci

In the mother of all archival looks, Alia Bhatt stepped into fashion history for the B*****ds of Bollywood premiere in the closing look from Gucci Fall/Winter 1996/97 by Tom Ford — a landmark moment from the house’s archives, first immortalised by Kate Moss. Styled with the Gucci Bamboo 1947 mini, Alia reaffirmed that true archival fashion transcends eras, holding its own on today’s global style stage, moreover, as a brand ambassador. 

2. Radhika Ambani in Vivienne Westwood (A/W 1990)

Radhika Ambani brought a dash of British punk romance to Indian luxury in a Vivienne Westwood archival corset and scarf from A/W 1990. The mix of Westwood’s rebellious structure with Indian styling created a cross-cultural moment that felt both unexpected and incredibly fresh.

3. Sonam Kapoor in Escada (1988)

Sonam Kapoor turned to Escada by Margaretha Ley, 1988—an iconic design once worn by Princess Diana—while revealing her baby bump at an Audemars Piguet event. The archival choice transformed a personal milestone into a fashion moment, where legacy, power dressing, and modern motherhood met seamlessly.

4. Priyanka Chopra Jonas in vintage Gucci 

Priyanka Chopra turned to fashion history in a vintage black strapless silk dress from Tom Ford’s Gucci Spring/Summer 2001 collection for her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Worn while promoting Heads of State in June 2025, the archival choice underscored her ease with understated, era-defining glamour.

5. Alia Bhatt in Pierre Balmain (1955) 

Alia Bhatt led the archival space once more, this time when she stepped onto the Red Sea red carpet in what was widely reported as an archival Pierre Balmain gown from 1955. The look read like film-set glamour: exacting tailoring, vintage silhouette and modern styling that let the dress do the talking.

6. Kim Kardashian in Dior by John Galliano (Early 2000s)

Kim Kardashian delivered one of the most striking global archival moments in a sculpted, seafoam satin gown from John Galliano’s early-2000s Dior era. With its sharp hips, nipped waist and dramatic mermaid flare, the look was an ode to haute couture theatre. Styled minimally, it allowed the archival silhouette to command the room on its own terms.

7. Janhvi Kapoor in Yves Saint Laurent  (late 1980s)

At the amfAR Gala in Cannes, Janhvi Kapoor paid homage to Yves Saint Laurent’s most poetic years in archival YSL, Anamika Khanna, and Chopard. Featuring a sculptural saucer hat from YSL Rive Gauche 1987, a velvet jacket from 1989, and a custom silk chiffon skirt inspired by Yves’ 1987–1991 era, the ensemble was a masterclass in reverence, reinvention, and couture storytelling—finished with radiant yellow diamonds by Chopard.

8. Hailey Bieber in Yves Saint Laurent (1987)

Hailey Bieber channeled late-80s Parisian elegance in an archival YSL 1987 black evening dress with all soft ruching, structured bow details, and sleek sophistication. It was Saint Laurent at his timeless best. Hailey’s relaxed waves and minimal accessories made the look feel fresh rather than retro.

9. Alia Bhatt in Ritu Kumar Archives 

Tired of Alia Bhatt yet? Neither are we. She once more led the archival revival space but this time from the Indian archives in a gilded ensemble from Ritu Kumar’s “Remembering the Silk Road” collection. The muted gold saree, the textured blouse, the beaded jacket paired with traditional jewellery and slick, understated glam, Alia proved that Indian archival fashion holds its own against global couture.

10. Kylie Jenner in John Galliano (1995)

Kylie Jenner leaned into sultry vintage glamour with an original John Galliano 1995 creation. The slinky cut, the asymmetry, the drama: it was Galliano’s 90s storytelling at its most intoxicating. Nearly three decades later, the gown still looks startlingly modern, reminding us why mid-90s Galliano remains a collector’s dream.

(Also Read: From Diljit Dosanjh to Shah Rukh Khan, 2025's most memorable red carpet moments)

11. Janhvi Kapoor in Ungaro Parallèle (F/W 1987)

Janhvi Kapoor delivered a standout archival moment in a vintage Ungaro Parallèle FW 1987 dress during her Paris fashion circuit. Styled with fishnets, a faux fur stole and sharp sunglasses, she merged 80s French glamour with contemporary Bollywood attitude — proving archival doesn’t have to look precious.

12. Kareena Kapoor Khan in John Galliano Gazette Print (S/S 2001)

Kareena Kapoor Khan revived Galliano’s iconic gazette print from his eponymous spring/summer 2001 collection, an archival signature beloved by collectors. It was instantly reposted across fashion pages, cementing it as one of 2025’s most memorable archival sightings.

13. Sonam Kapoor in Rahul Mishra Archival Couture (2017)

Never one to shy away from fashion history, Sonam Kapoor showcased archival Rahul Mishra couture pieces from 2017, styled anew for the 2025 wedding season. The reworked look highlighted the longevity of Indian couture and Sonam’s unmatched ability to turn garments into stories.

14. Kareena Kapoor Khan in 1993 Valentino

Kareena Kapoor Khan chose Valentino Spring/Summer 1993 by Mr Valentino himself—an era defined by purity of line and timeless femininity—to meet Lionel Messi. The archival silhouette spoke softly yet authoritatively, proving that true elegance needs no embellishment, only history and confidence.

(Also Read: An expert decodes 2025's biggest jewellery trends)

15. Alia Bhatt in vintage Bob Mackie

Under the Dubai skyline, Alia Bhatt shimmered in vintage Bob Mackie for a DAMAC event. Known as the “Sultan of Sequins,” Mackie’s bold glamour—immortalised through his work with Cher—came alive once again, reminding us how American pop extravagance continues to influence global red-carpet dressing.

16. Janhvi Kapoor in a Prada saree-dress (Spring 2004)

Janhvi Kapoor embraced Prada Spring 2004 at TIFF, a collection where Miuccia Prada reinterpreted the saree through a 1950s lens. Paired with slender heels inspired by the Kolhapuri chappal and crafted by Aprajita Toor, the look became a thoughtful dialogue between Italian intellect and Indian craftsmanship.

17. Priyanka Chopra Jonas in vintage Versace 

To mark her support at Nick Jonas' broadway debut with Last Five Years' premiere night in New York City, Priyanka Chopra Jonas was seen in classic black. Only though the classic black was a vintage Versace runway dress from 2003, proving she values the past and preserves it for the present. 

18. Janhvi Kapoor in vintage Dior

For a Cannes press appearance, Janhvi Kapoor once again made it to our list when she stepped out in Christian Dior Haute Couture 1957, wearing a black slub silk dress that embodied post-war Parisian elegance. Restrained, historic, and impeccably cut, the look reaffirmed the enduring power of couture’s golden age.

(Also Read: From Georgina Rodríguez to Isha Ambani, HELLO! India looks at the best jewellery moments of 2025)

Text by Tanisha Sawhney and Sabrina Mathews 

Edited by Sabrina Mathews