Decided to tackle this Taylor Swift Schiaparelli piece after seeing fan debates about her most iconic fashion moments. Grabbed my laptop around 9 PM last Wednesday, brewed some strong coffee, and dug into research mode.
Phase One: Hunting Down Looks
Started scrolling through my own concert footage archives first – shaky iPhone videos from her Eras Tour stop in Chicago definitely helped ID that gold-armored bodice look. Cross-referenced with fan blogs and red carpet databases for clearer images. Almost gave up finding that Met Gala 2016 shot until I remembered Getty Images had backstage footage showing the draped cape detail.
- Pro tip: Twitter advanced search by year + event name saved me hours
- Biggest headache? That Grammy afterparty jumpsuit kept getting confused with her Versace outfits
Organizing the Visual Timeline
Dumped everything into Canva, lining up photos chronologically like case files. Zoomed in until my eyes crossed examining embroidery details – those lionhead shoulder pads from the 2021 VMAs still blow my mind. Flagged three looks needing higher-res shots and begged a photographer pal for raw files.
Writing Nightmares
Tried being fancy with fashion jargon at first and sounded like a robot. Scrapped entire paragraphs after re-reading: “No human talks about ‘sartorial structuralism’ unironically.” Rewrote in my normal voice: “This dress looks like melted gold threw up on her and somehow it worked.” Noticed all my drafts kept gushing about the 2024 Golden Globes feather skirt so made that the opener.
Final Checks & Fan Reactions
Sent previews to two Swiftie friends who fact-checked my timeline. One corrected me: “That wasn’t Paris Fashion Week, dumbass – it was the Billboard Awards afterparty.” Published Thursday noon EST. Woke up Friday to 200+ notifications debating whether the black cutout gown was “true Schiaparelli.” Mission accomplished.
Funniest comment? “This post has more detail than my thesis paper.” Might make “analyzing celebrity gowns” a regular thing now.
