Fashion Week 2017: 6 Divas Who Have Developed Into Fashion Icons

By Francisco Salazar

It’s Fashion Week and how style has influenced the opera world.

Today we take a look at some of today’s opera divas that have redefined glamour, taking it to the next level with their trendy wardrobe and wearing some of the greatest fashion designers currently working in the industry. Thanks to the wonderful insight from OperaFashion, we take a look at some of the designers and styles these divas wear.

Anna Netrebko 

When Anna Netrebko rose to fame, it was her beauty and glamorous album covers that took audiences by storm. She was immediately nicknamed “La bellisma” and “La splendida” and was featured in a DVD of music videos for various arias from her first solo album. She also popped up on many magazines such as Vogue, OperaNews, Time Magazine, Playboy and even Paper Magazine.

Her early wardrobe accentuated her svelte body and thanks to Escada, she was always in a unique gown. Netrebko became the international ambassador for Chopard and she has since done numerous photo shoots for the company as well as worn the expensive jewelry to red carpets like the Red Ribbon and to galas like Richard Tucker.

Since pregnancy Netrebko has taken on a very different fashion sense. She has no shame in showing off  her wardrobe on her Instagram account and dropping names like Laura Biagotti, Lanvin, Givenchy, Dolce and Gabbana, Gucci and Aquazzura. She also describes her style as crazy and eclectic and she has done profiles with the New York Times talking about her wardrobe and shopping. Most importantly Netrebko has always stated that she likes colorful clothing even if at times it could be over the top.

A frequent attendee at Fashion Week, the diva has also made a positive image of being curvy and has brought out some of the top designers to make gowns for her. Among them include Zac Posen, Rubin Singer, her frequent collaborator and friend Irina Vitjaz, Boris Hanecka and Zuhair Murad. Most recently Jan Meier created a gown in collaboration with Swarovski which included 30,000 small crystals that was the toast of the Salzburg Festival.

Olga Peretyatko 

The young Russian soprano came to fame with her slender voice and her impeccable coloratura in Rossini operas. A lover of sports, Peretyatko has always been adamant about keeping in shape so she could run around stage while acting a role. And in between Peretyatko loves to share images of her frequent photo shoots on her many social media pages. Having been showcased in magazines like OperaNews, Arte Magazine each picture she takes shows off a very new dress.

Peretyatko has attended Fashion Week several times as well as shows by Marc Bouwer and other great designers. Among those she has worn are Juergen Christian Hoerl, Talbot Runhof, Halston Heritage, Marc Bouwer, one of the first American designers to use stretch fabrics in evening gowns, and Pierre Cardin. She has also worn jewelry from Jewelry Theatre and Bulgari.

Carmen Giannattasio 

If there is such a thing as a prima donna, that would be Carmen Giannatasio, the glamorous and incredibly talented soprano. Based in London, the soprano has made a name for herself as a Verdian and verismo soprano all while making excursions into the bel canto repertoire. However, it is her acting and singing that are infectious and have really made her a star.

However, she is a lover of high couture and she has been the face of some of Italy’s most famous designers. She did a photo shoot for Antonio Riva, who she frequently wears and Alberta Ferretti. She also modeled for Grazia Fortuna Ward and Bulgari. She has also appeared on The It Factor, Opera Now, Opera and Classical Music.

On her daily attire you can spot Giannattasio wearing the likes of Emilio Pucci, Burberry, Gucci, Bulgari, Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce and Gabbanna and Moschino.

Angela Gheorghiu 

Gheorghiu has been a presence in opera for over 25 years and one thing that has always defined her is intelligence and safety with her instrument. She has never gone beyond her limitations but every role she takes on is met with incredible emotion and intensity. She has also never forgotten about her Romanian Routes, which have always been an important aspect of her musical journey.

And in the same way she takes on her roles, each of her fashion choices showcases the emotions she brings to her arias and roles. Sometimes described as difficult, the soprano is very particular with everything she does and wears. What defines her is taste and style.

One of the most experimental shoots Gheorghiu did was in 2010 for Tabu Magazine in which she dressed in the vein of Lady Gaga. The photoshoot maintained the aura of the diva but it experimented with green and blonde wigs as well as very electric colors with very experimental doll shaped dresses.

But on stage Gheorghiu puts the diva into every one of her gowns experimenting and redefining her style as she gets older. She has been featured on Opera News, Elle Romania, Forbes, Opera, Music, Diapason, Gramophone and The One among others.

The soprano has had the luxury of working with Oscar de La Renta numerous times and has worn gowns from Dolce and Gabanna and Valentino.

Renee Fleming

Elegance and grace is what defines the people’s diva. Renee Fleming has broken all the stereotypes in opera from singing at the Super Bowl, recording a pop album, singing for the president and being featured on the soundtracks of “The Adventures of Tintin,” “The Lord of the Rings” and “Rise of the Guardians.” She also made her Broadway debut as a old opera diva was also been featured on “Good Morning America” as well as “The Late Show.”

Fleming has never chosen the predictable route as she has always played with different types of repertoire. As one of the reigning divas she has also been a fixture on magazines from Opera News to Gramophone to Opera Magazine. And most importantly she has been a fixture for many fashion designers.

A frequent Attendee of Fashion Week , Fleming has befriended some of the world’s biggest designers including Vera Wang, who is responsible for her Super Bowl gown and her wedding dress. Oscar De la Renta created her dress for the Queen’s jubilee and Vivienne Westwood was the artist behind numerous recital and concert dresses. In 2008 the Metropolitan Opera commissioned three separate dresses from Christian Lacroix for “Traviata,” Karl Lagerfeld for “Manon” and John Galliano for “Capriccio” for opening night. While it was opening night, it was also a night to show off Fleming’s incredible fashion sense.  Others who have designed for the diva include Reem Acra, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano for Dior, Douglas Hannant and  Angel Sanchez.

But what really sets her apart from every diva is that Fleming has always maintained a specific style. Her dresses always have a ball gown look with some type of elegant shawl. The colors are always playful and not one gown looks like a repeat of the other.

Aida Garifullina

Garifullina is one of the rising stars in opera and has already become a fashion icon in opera. The lyric soprano has already developed a style for ball gowns in her popular concerts and has shown a particular affinity for lighter colors. However, unlike most sopranos discussed, she is one who prefers simplicity in her everyday attire as well as in her gowns, which are usually made up of one tone. This is definitely seen in her approach to her Vogue magazine cover story.

Garifullina has been fortunate to being dressed by Oscar nominee Consolata Boyle for “Florence Foster Jenkins” and has developed a relationship with Ralph and Russo couture. She recently showed off some of the new dresses she will likely wear on the concert stage. Garifullina has also developed an affinity for lavish photoshoots and has also developed a relationship with Lebanese fashion designer Zuhair Murad.

The sopranos upcoming album will not only showcase her beautiful lyric voice but also her fashion sense.

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