The Designer Behind Taylor Swift’s Edgy New Look

The singer's new gowns with thigh-high slits and lacy jumpsuits are all from Mary Alice Haney's line.

You’ve probably noticed a change in Taylor Swift as of late. Yes, girl is rocking a shock of bleach-blonde hair and an even choppier bob. But she’s also been undergoing a style evolution the likes of which we haven’t seen since the Kardashians discovered waist trainers. Taylor Swift, she who once dressed like a living tourism ad for Martha’s Vineyard, is now sporting plaid, sequined herringbone crop tops, and a whole lot of black (plunging black dresses, lace jumpsuits, and bomber jackets).
Part of the Swift style overhaul was Anna Wintour’s idea. Swift was one of the co-chair’s of this year’s Met Gala, and she was also on the May 2016 cover of Vogue. Wintour told Today that, “We very much wanted to give Taylor a new look, make her into a sort of a rock ’n’ roll chick.”
A new look calls for new design influence, though, and Swift found that in Los Angeles–based Mary Alice Haney. Her eponymous line, which launched two years ago, is behind that black lace jumpsuit Swift recently sported in New York City. Haney also designed the thigh-revealing gown Swift wore to the 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards on April 2. It’s Haney’s “classic Gia dress,” and the designer tells Harper’s Bazaar that “Chrissy Teigen actually wore it when she was 10 months pregnant … [which] shows you the versatility of the dresses.”
Haney remains humble about Swift wearing so many of her designs as of late—the singer also appeared in “The Blanca,” a sparkly black one-shouldered number that can be yours for just $4,600, at Gigi Hadid’s 21st-birthday party. “I wanted to burst into tears when I saw Taylor in that one-shoulder dress. She’s such a doll—she’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever seen. I think people may have viewed her style as very young—but the hair and her stylist Joseph Cassell are really helping her evolve.”

ADVERTISING

Speaking of Gigi Hadid, that’s whom Haney really wants to see in her clothes next along with Kendall Jenner. Maybe Swift can lend Hadid her jumpsuit on their next private plane ride.