How They Wear It: Anne Bass

The Manhattan socialite, philanthropist, art patron, and ex-wife of billionaire investor Sid Bass, has amassed a serious couture collection since she began attending the Paris Haute Couture shows in the 1980’s. Frequently appearing on the Best Dressed list, her collection includes pieces by every major Couturier. She was a devoted client at Yves Saint Laurent before he retired. Today she is frequently seen at major events such as the New York MET’s Costume Institute Gala in Christian Lacroix and Gaultier Paris.

Bass was one of the first clients to place orders at John Galliano’s first Couture collection for Dior. In particular a dazzling acid-green mink-trimmed dress made famous by Nicole Kidman at the 1997 Oscars. Kidman chose the chartreuse gown from the couture collection, but Bass, who had ordered it first, had to give permission for the dress to be copied. When Bass eventually wore the dress to the New York City Ballet Spring Gala, it had become instantly recognizable. It takes a certain kind of woman to wear a dress that costs as much as a Rolls Royce. When asked "Why did you wear that dress?" She replied "Because I wanted to be invisible," a trademark of Bass, whose sense of humor is second only to her sense of style.

Clockwise: In Gaultier Paris, Spring 2006; In Christian Lacroix, Fall 2003; In Gaultier Paris, Fall 2005; In Christian Lacroix, Fall 2005; In Christian Lacroix, Spring 2003; In Gaultier Paris, Spring 2007.

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