.png)
.jpg)
The relationship between fashion and film is a unique one. As separate entities, they’re forces in their own right, but when joined together, the sum is undeniably greater than its parts. It’s this intrinsic link that gets an actor jazzed to step on set to quite literally walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.
For this year’s Vogue World, actress Cynthia Erivo takes center stage right on cue, embodying three film archetypes spanning classic genres. The magic of a wardrobe lies in each costume unlocking a new world, new disposition, and new approach to land said character—whether she’s a disco diva, dazzling musical star, or a sharp-edged ingénue. When it comes to discovering the pieces that transcend such transformations, there’s no better destination than eBay—the ultimate source for the most exquisite and rare pre-loved and vintage finds.
Legendary costume designer Jenny Beavan dreamt up three distinctly singular personas for Erivo to step into. The common denominator? Boldness that is brought to life through women who know how to make an intrepid entrance. Celebrity stylist Jason Bolden and Erivo’s longtime collaborator carefully selected and styled each piece from eBay. And his process was made easy due to the user-friendly platform, “If I had an idea I would literally go in the search and just type it in and it would just be everything that I was thinking of,” says Bolden. “When you go into these eras, you try to create these characters. What do they think? What do they feel? How do they love?” Each character’s defining qualities lead the way.
To complete the vision, director Mia Barnes dropped us into a variety of cinematic worlds—settings so vivid they framed each look to perfection. To Erivo, it’s the connection between story and style that draws her in. “I think [it’s] quite thrilling getting something that already has its own stories. Things that have been pre-loved and have a past and are lived-in just look a little better because they’ve got a bit more ease to them.”
The 1970s posed a revelation for fashion. It was the era of liberation where the party never ended, and a new wave of glamour reigned supreme. Structural yet languid silhouettes moved with ease, metallics caught the light just so, and cinema mirrored that same electric spirit. Heroes often received the kind of introduction shot that told you everything before a single line was spoken.
Erivo shimmers in an exceptionally rare Thierry Mugler fall 1984 runway dress to end all others—fabricated in gold pleated silk lamé with a V-neckline, and exaggerated starburst shoulders that refuse to quit. The design is inspired by celestial beings and defined Mugler’s early aesthetic. As one of the house’s most recognizable pieces, the dress has appeared in several major fashion exhibitions and has been worn by a select group of powerhouse women making it a piece of fashion history. Erivo s look is finished with a black velvet Schiaparelli fascinator, Gucci black-and-gold strappy sandals, and vintage hoop earrings.
There’s nothing quite like a soundstage musical: a palatial set, a sweeping staircase, and a theatrically striking backdrop that’s both self-aware yet doesn’t skimp on fantasy. Erivo finds her mark as the orchestra swells—a timeless figure who enraptures our undivided attention.
Here, she wears a flapper Art Deco-inspired Roberto Cavalli fall 2014 dress—fabricated in silk with glass bubble beads and feathers that adorn the bodice and tips of the hemline to create the illusion of flames. It’s the perfect canvas for a dramatic Pluviophily tulle robe in a deep red that ripples with every move. It was this fluidity for Bolden that led the charge. To anchor the performance, Dolce Gabbana Mary Janes with a pink crystal block heel nod to classic character shoes with a glamorous twist—because no matter how easy any star makes it look, a good shoe is imperative to ensure stability during a strenuous musical number. And since there’s no such thing as too much razzle dazzle, Erivo completes the look with Tom Binns chandelier earrings, a vintage opal 14k gold ring, and a Cartier Tank watch stacked next to a vintage link bracelet.
By the 1980s and ’90s, films started to see a shift in their female leads. Confident, self-assured, and razor-sharp in their psychological control. The drama often lives in the stillness, the power in restraint. The high-stakes settings were usually behind the closed doors of a slick penthouse or intimidating office. Subtext and ultimatums were aplenty and every gesture doubled as a strategy.
There was no ensemble that meant ‘business’ quite like suiting. Erivo takes on this cool precision in a Christian Dior spring 2004 two-piece liquid silver suit. “There is something very sophisticated, sensual, but tough,” Bolden remarks. The hook and eye garter silhouette is as sultry as it is serious and puts the player in the power seat immediately. A Phillip Treacy wide-brimmed hat amplifies her mystique—which was part of Bolden’s larger vision, seeing just a bit of Erivo before she exposes herself. Her look is complete with Tom Ford crocodile stilettos that ground her quiet authority. Now that’s a manipulation tactic that speaks for itself.
Bolden recounts, “Out of the three genres, I think I fell in love with [this one]. I had all these people in mind, all these collections. Then I stopped myself and started looking at photos of my grandmother who was a huge couture buyer long ago. [Looking] at those references I got to think about what’s a different point of view on a leading lady? Is it just film or is it life? Can both of those things be the same? I think yes because most leading ladies we talk about, they stem from [someone] in the world. Also knowing Cynthia and knowing that she’s been such a steadfast worker to get to this place that she’s in right now, I wanted to celebrate that too.”
As much as these looks honor the ongoing dialogue between fashion and film, they also highlight how personal style is built—through discovery, history, and a sense of play. “eBay’s been around for such a long time and I have fond memories of waiting and bidding and finding things that I love,” Erivo says. “The wonderful thing about eBay is that it’s accessible to everybody.” In the end, it’s a reminder that the most unforgettable roles, on screen or in life, are defined by how you wear them. Whether stepping into a new character or rediscovering your own, Erivo proves that true style, like great storytelling, is everlasting.
Shop these special pieces and more film-inspired fashion at the one-day Vogue x eBay: Hollywood Edit pop-up in Los Angeles on November 1. Can’t make it to the event? Explore more pre-loved, cinematic pieces handpicked by Cynthia Erivo on eBay.com/CynthiaErivo.