Tommy Dorfman’s Milan Fashion Week Was Full of Bold Beauty Moments
Tommy Dorfman had an eventful Milan Fashion Week. This past week, the actor was a major front-row presence at shows such as Fendi and Boss (and they hit up all of the glitzy parties in between, linking up with close friend Kaia Gerber along the way). For all of the Italian festivities, Dorfman naturally served up sartorial inspiration—but it was the experimental beauty looks they embraced that were the week’s boldest takeaway. As the action-packed week went on, Dorfman documented their getting-ready process exclusively for Vogue.
While Dorfman has been embracing outré makeup at the shows this season, it’s not necessarily new territory for the star. “I’ve been wearing makeup for as long as I can remember,” Dorfman tells Vogue. “I started by playing with my mom’s lipsticks, then in ballet I would apply my own stage makeup. I loved experimenting with eyeshadow and lip gloss in my tween years. It’s always been a part of the way I express myself and, especially in the last five or so years, it’s become a large part of my identity.” Much like a killer outfit can boost self-confidence, Dorfman says, “I feel empowered by this form of artistic and creative expression.”
For this season’s beauty vibe, Dorfman began looking for the front-row makeup inspiration where any good millennial would: on the internet. “In the beginning, editorial always inspired my beauty looks,” Dorfman says, “but we’re living in a primarily digital age, and Instagram is a great source—as is Pinterest—to find brilliant ideas that spark new ideas in me and the talented makeup artists I work with.” After working with makeup artist Kali Kennedy for the Oscars, Kennedy and Dorfman established a level of trust that allowed them to really push the beauty envelope. “She understands facial structure and how to do something more avant-garde without looking like a complete clown,” Dorfman says of the artist. “Not that I don’t love some clownery from time to time!”
Together in Milan, the pair focused in on bold details. At Fendi, they first collaborated on a zesty orange eye that juxtaposed Dorfman’s more tailored ensemble. “Some might consider it more masculine, however, I felt the fluidity of the tailoring and fit to be more feminine. I love when an outfit embodies the fluidity of my gender—it makes me feel the most confident and grounded, especially when attending fashion shows, which can be extremely overwhelming,” Dorfman says. “Kali and I discussed doing an eye and blush that was inspired by the florals in the shirt, and oranges and lemons—a palette that reflects the beauty of Italy in the summer, even though it’s February.”
After the sprightly Fendi look, it was time for Dorfman to head to a Vogue Italia party, where the pair switched up the makeup with a more understated look. “I didn’t want to go too glam on top. The sweater felt grungier to us, so we opted for a bitten lip,” Dorfman says. “I typically steer clear of lips, but this subtle nod works for me, and Kali taught me how to work it.” They paired it with a subtle, glossy eye, and it was then off to the Boss show, where it was back to maximalism. “We wanted to match the heather gray suit with a clean Swarovski-crystal hairline,” Dorfman says. “Never in my life had I seen anyone do it. Kali brought it up as an idea and I immediately said yes.” They finished off the mesmerizing hair moment with a glossy Dior lip to keep it modern. “I felt extremely glam,” says Dorfman.
Below, Dorfman’s full Milan Fashion Week diary.
Photo: Courtesy of Tommy Dorfman1/7Gold patches curing my jet lag!
Photo: Courtesy of Tommy Dorfman2/7Kali’s chic chipped nail stealing my thunder!
