Many of the best fashion moments from the franchise, of course, have occurred on the much-anticipated reunion episodes—where the Housewives gather in their season’s finest gowns. Often, the stars will save their best looks for last: This past reunion in Atlanta, Bailey wore a custom cape by New York designer Zang Toi. “I modeled for Zang for years early in my career, so wearing one of his designs on the reunion stage felt like such a full-circle moment,” she says. “It wasn’t just a fashion choice—it was a celebration of where I started, how far I’ve come, and my love for timeless design.”
For season 13 reunion of Beverly Hills, Dorit Kemsley also opted for a red-hot Schiaparelli caped gown—one of the most memorable reunion looks of the whole franchise. “The best reunion looks aren’t the ones that demand attention. They’re the ones that command it,” says Kemsley. “There’s a difference. Spectacle can be impressive, but presence is unforgettable.”
Compared to the casual episodic looks or the campy confessional outfits, the reunion looks are designed to be a spectacle, and this has contributed to its stars being taken more seriously in the fashion spaces. “A reunion is fashion theater,” says Newport. “You’re sitting under bright lights for hours, knowing every detail will be photographed, analyzed, and remembered.” Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne has mastered this approach with her array of splashy designer serves, including sequined Balmain minis. “A reunion look should make an entrance before you even say a word,” says Jayne. “It’s like dressing for the biggest red carpet of the season—but you’re also preparing for battle.”
The Housewives’ love affair with fashion has since jumped from our screens and onto the runways, too. Lisa Rinna has walked for brands such as Germanier haute couture, Rotate Birger Christensen, and Priscavera—a far cry from the early days when stars such as Shereé Whitfield attempted to launch her own line of joggers, or when Ramona Singer teetered down the catwalk at Brooklyn Fashion Week. Now, many of them even work with top stylists to cultivate their wardrobes both on and off the show, too. (Bailey, for one, has worked with stylists such as Kithe Brewster and Paris Chea.)
