Miley Cyrus didn't just walk the red carpet at the 2024 Grammys. She basically turned the Crypto.com Arena into her own personal runway, swapping outfits five different times while the rest of us were just trying to keep track of who won what. Honestly, it was a lot. But while the internet was busy meme-ing her "big hair"—which was a total Dolly Parton-meets-Jane-Fonda moment—there was some serious fashion history happening under those 14,000 safety pins.
You’ve probably seen the photos. The gold "naked dress" that looked like it might fall apart if she breathed too hard? That wasn't just a random risqué choice. It was a calculated, 675-hour labor of love. Most people think celebrities just grab a gown and go, but the Miley Cyrus dress Grammys saga involves archival deep dives, literal thousands of hardware pieces, and a performance outfit she loved so much she actually bought it later.
The Maison Margiela Safety Pin Dress: 675 Hours of Work
The night started with the most polarizing look: a custom gold mesh creation by John Galliano for Maison Margiela. If you looked closely, you realized it wasn't fabric at all. It was constructed entirely of gold safety pins.
Galliano drew inspiration from his own 1997 "Susy Sphinx" collection. It took a team of artisans 675 hours to hand-assemble those 14,000 pins into a silhouette that felt both futuristic and ancient. It was "shipwreck-chic," as some critics called it. She paired the dress with yellow velvet Tabi heels, a collaboration between Margiela and Christian Louboutin. It was a bold, "take me as I am" statement for a night where she would finally win her first-ever Grammy.
The Performance Outfit She Bought for Herself
When Miley took the stage to perform "Flowers," she shifted gears. She channeled Tina Turner in a vintage Bob Mackie silver fringe bodysuit. This wasn't a remake; it was archival gold from Mackie's Fall/Winter 2002 "To Broadway With Love" collection.
The dress was a masterpiece of bugle beads and fringe that moved like liquid while she danced. Fun fact: Bob Mackie later mentioned that Miley fit into the archival piece perfectly without a single alteration. Most normal humans can't do that. She loved the dress so much that in December 2024, she actually purchased it through a Julien’s Auctions event to keep in her personal archive. It wasn't just a loaner; it was a piece of her history.
✨ Don't miss: Is Alex Consani Jules? The Viral Theory and the Truth Behind the Lookalike Rumors
Five Changes and a "Commando" Confession
Miley’s wardrobe rotation was dizzying. After the red carpet, she changed into a black sequined Tom Ford-era Gucci jumpsuit to accept her first award from Mariah Carey. Then came the Bob Mackie performance fringe. Backstage, she was spotted in a fourth look: a lace bustier and trousers, also by Mackie.
The grand finale happened when she won Record of the Year. She emerged in a chocolate-brown, one-shoulder Gucci gown by Sabato De Sarno. The slit was so high it prompted her to joke on stage that she might have forgotten her underwear.
What You Can Learn from Miley’s Style Pivot
Looking at the Miley Cyrus dress Grammys evolution, it’s clear she’s moved past her "Bangerz" era of shock value into something more curated and legendary. She’s leaning into "vintage flexes"—wearing clothes that have more history than some of the people in the audience.
If you're looking to bring a bit of that Miley energy into your own wardrobe, you don't need 14,000 safety pins. Start by looking for high-quality vintage pieces that tell a story. Focus on silhouettes that celebrate your own body rather than just following a trend. Most importantly, don't be afraid of "big hair." Sometimes, the hair is the best accessory you own.
To track your own style evolution like a pro, start archiving your favorite outfits. Take a high-quality photo of your best looks and note how they made you feel. Fashion isn't just about the clothes; it's about the "pivotal moments," as Miley put her own Bob Mackie acquisition. Start treating your closet like a personal archive rather than a revolving door of fast fashion.