With a formidable ability to craft convincing personas for anything she wears, and exceptional features that are as striking as they are delicate, Amber Valletta is exactly what you’d expect a supermodel to be. Modelling since the age of 15, she quickly became a favourite amongst the biggest names in fashion, and continues to be over thirty years later. You’ll know her as the face of Tom Ford’s Gucci, opening his revolutionary 1995 Fall/Winter runway show and fronting the collection’s campaign; a forever Versace girl, seen strutting down the catwalk in the brand’s most iconic looks (re: the internet-breaking jungle dress); and a long-time muse of renowned fashion photographer, Steven Meisel.
As a 90s Super, it comes as no surprise that Amber’s fashion prowess extends far beyond the catwalk or the pages of a Vogue magazine. Her personal style has always favoured classic silhouettes with rocker-chic flair, evidenced by an extensive collection of casual suits and transitional slip dresses. But she’s never been one to shy away from stepping into bolder characters. In 2004 Amber was the star of the annual Met Gala, wearing a Maggie Norris Victorian-inspired couture corset, a voluminous John Galliano skirt, and an extravagant 18th century hairdo to prove her dedication to the theme. And while these theatrical moments hold a magic of their own, her real superpower lies in staying true to herself. An unwavering advocate for sustainability, Amber is incredibly vocal, seizing any opportunity to vouch for better industry practices. But if anything, her actions speak louder than her words. From rocking a glittering red number from upcycling ace Conner Ives at the 2022 CFDA awards and an eco-chic couture dress at the 2016 Met, to unapologetically reusing her late 1998 CFDA awards dress on the Hitch premiere’s red carpet seven years later, Amber’s sartorial choices mirror exactly who she is on the inside. And that’s style you can’t replicate.
Editor
Alyanna Raissa J. PayosCredit
Lead image: Mike Marsland/BFC via Getty Images