At fashion shows she steals all the attention and is able to outshine singers and Hollywood celebrities with her image. She had already done it in Milan. This week it was Paris’s turn. The young makeup artist and drag queen Elliot Joseph Rentz, better known as Alexis Stone, arrived at the Balenciaga Haute Couture show impersonating Miranda Priestlythe evil fashion editor from the film The devil dresses fashionably (The devil wears Prada), immortalized by Meryl Streep.
This fictional character, inspired by the demanding and cold editor Anna Wintour, who has directed the American edition of Vogue magazine since 1988, arrived holding a copy in her hand, dressed in an oversized beige trench coat, a gold silk shirt finished with a bow and a pencil skirt. As Miranda Priestly or Anna Wintour herself would do, she arrived hidden under sunglasses as do all the guests in the front row. This incredible transformation, which went viral on the networks, It is the result of three months of work and research, which included testing silicone prostheses, dental masks, contact lenses, a wig and a luxury wardrobe, literally, provided by the same firm that invited him.
British Vogue magazine dedicated an article to Stone, entitled “The devil wears Balenciaga” (The devil wears Balenciaga instead of Prada). There it details the care and perfectionism in which this young artist immerses himself to become his favorite characters, whether they are actresses, singers or fictional characters as in this case. “I dive deep into research. I pull out tons of references and try to get my hands on as many originals as possible. I will always ask permission from the artist I pay tribute to and that helps make the impossible possible. We got the original wig for Cruella [De Vil, otra villana interpretada por Glenn Close] and I managed to get Miranda’s original sunglasses.”
About the character he expressed: “I remember seeing The Devil Wears Prada when I was a kid. And although I did not fall under the spell of working in a toxic, high-stress environment, I fell in love with Miranda Priestly.” And she added: “Fashion is built from many homosexual boys like me (…) We are in love not only with women but also with Villains, because I think we see a lot of ourselves in them. Sure, Miranda isn’t the nicest editor in the world, but I can tell you there are nuances to Streep’s characterization that I’ve seen time and time again in fashion. The film resonates for a reason.”
In the autumn-winter 2024 show of the emblematic Balenciaga maison, part of the Haute Couture cycle (Haute Couture) which, like champagne, has a designation of origin, the fictional character rubbed shoulders – and competed for flashes – with celebrities who also They made an impact with their signature garments. The party included Nicole Kidman, Isabelle Huppert, Naomi Watts and a half-naked Katy Perry, who was bare-chested, covered in an XXL black jacket and torn nylon stockings. The most interesting thing was the meeting under the same roof of the Vogue editor, the muse of the film with Miranda Priestlythe fictional character. Wintour arrived in a classic long-sleeved floral print dress and her hair was short and bobbed, as usual. The outfits were different, but both were dressed as an editor of that publication would be, with class and style, rather than according to trends.
Alexis Stone, who took her name from Alexis Meade, the trans editor of Ugly Betty who comes back to life after faking his death, shares on his Instagram account (@Thealexisstone) reels with the complex transformation processes of different characters, which he carries out himself, with the help of silicone prostheses, false eyebrows, dentures and artistic makeup where he displays all his magic. Thus it could be seen as the carbon copy of Madonna, Lana del Rey, Jessica Lange, the villain Cruella De Vil, from 101 Dalmatians, Cher, Dolly Parton or Mrs. Doubtfire herself (the tender character of Robbie Williams).
“Sometimes they ask me why don’t they invite the original artist? Which I think is obvious: I am an original artist who they are inviting,” says in his account, who since 2016 has been dedicated to showing his special effects makeup, which belongs more to the world of the film industry than to the world of fashion. That’s what Stone dedicates himself to, fusing these worlds, while the people who attend the parades are focused on making a show of themselves, he, with his art, dedicates himself to representing others. “An idea until recently unheard of in such prestigious events. I’m my own glam team, I’m my own stylist, my own creative director. I think it’s great and it really highlights how easily influenced and how much we consume other people’s image and fame with this mission impossible power of some prosthetics and wigs and gestures. It is art, and good art is provocative and it leaves more questions than answers, but I’m happy to answer this one to add some clarity and context.”
At a Jean Paul Gaultier show, he put himself in the shoes of King’s wool. It is still not known if the people who stopped at the entrance to the event knew who it really was or were confused with the singer. She was also a special figure at the Diesel show at Milan Fashion Week, embodying Madonna, as it looks today.
The house with which he collaborates the most is definitely Balenciaga. In October of last year, in Paris, she made her triumphant entrance into a fashion show as if she had stepped off the big screen. 101 Dalmatiansthe film starring Glenn Close in 1996. Her large fur coat, over a clinging dress was designed by Demna Gvsaliathe creative director of that firm. The costume was born based on a question they asked themselves What would Cruella De Vil be wearing in 2023?
What will be the next character? Ask on the networks. His account with more than 1 million followers does not stop growing during the week of the shows and no one misses his spectacular performances.
