
Ariana Grande's Vintage Glamour and Rekindled Romance Steal the Spotlight

By Tan France


By Tan France
At the New York premiere of "Focker-in-Law," the renowned singer and actress made a striking appearance alongside her beau, Ricky Álvarez, marking their first joint red carpet outing since reconnecting earlier this year. Their undeniable affection, evident in constant embraces, loving gazes, and tender kisses, suggested they are deeply enjoying this renewed phase of their relationship.
Celebrity stylist Law Roach curated a magnificent vintage Badgley Mischka gown from the 1990s for Grande. This ethereal dress, featuring delicate spaghetti straps and a subtle silver-gray windowpane check, boasted a fitted bodice adorned with intricate beaded floral embellishments, culminating in a voluminous skirt that gracefully swept the floor. Her accessories included Swarovski Matrix hoop earrings, a current favorite, and a chic micro ponytail, replacing her recent flipped bob, tied with a delicate ivory ribbon. Her makeup maintained her signature luminous and highly accented style.
Law Roach has been on a remarkable run with his selection of historical fashion pieces recently. He has delved into fashion archives for Kim Kardashian's "All's Fair" promotional tour, unearthing everything from 1990s Dolce & Gabbana to Paco Rabanne couture. Just the previous weekend, he styled Anya Taylor-Joy in a spectacularly ruffled Pierre Cardin ensemble from spring 1997 for the LACMA Art+Film Gala, further cementing his reputation for exquisite vintage curation.
Grande has consistently demonstrated a profound appreciation for fashion's more imaginative and romantic past. Her passion for vintage reached new heights during the "Wicked" press tours, and she has since maintained a soft, overtly feminine aesthetic, favoring 1950s silhouettes and sheer fabrics. Her dedication to this look was once so pronounced that it led to speculation about whether she was subtly preparing for a rumored Audrey Hepburn biopic. Roach later disclosed that he acquired the Badgley Mischka gown months prior, captivated by its connection to the era of the original "Meet the Parents" movie.
Álvarez, in contrast, opted for a significantly more casual yet stylish look. The dancer and photographer sported a relaxed black blazer over an open-collared white shirt, paired with dark indigo jeans with rolled cuffs, a leather belt, and brown shoes—a classic, effortless boyfriend ensemble. Throughout the evening, he often had an arm around Grande's waist, while she leaned into him, held his hands, and beamed up at him for the cameras, illustrating their deep connection.
The couple's romantic journey has a rich history. Grande and Álvarez first crossed paths in 2015 when he was a backup dancer on her Honeymoon Tour. They dated for about a year before parting ways in 2016, with Álvarez famously receiving a mention in her 2018 breakup anthem, "thank u, next." Nearly a decade later, their paths have converged once more. Reunion rumors began circulating in the summer when they were seen together in Austin, Texas, during Grande's "Eternal Sunshine" tour, followed by sightings in Florida and New York. By August, their relationship was Instagram official, and Grande had unveiled a new tattoo reading "I do love you," seemingly mirroring a similar inscription on Álvarez's collarbone. They were also observed arm-in-arm in London, where Grande completed her 10-night residency at the O2. She even started altering the Ricky lyrics in "thank u, next" during her stage performances. At a Brooklyn show, she sang, "Wrote some songs about Ricky / We always find our way back." By the tour's September finale in London, the sentiment had become more definitive: "I'm tryna make him my last."
More recently, the couple has been engaging in more typical shared activities, including cheering on runners at the New York City Marathon earlier this month. Grande also featured Álvarez in a particularly affectionate R.E.M. Beauty lip-product guessing game on Instagram, emphasizing their ongoing adoration. Their mutual affection shows no signs of diminishing.
With a rekindled romance spanning a decade and the selection of a beautiful vintage garment, Ariana Grande convincingly demonstrates the allure of revisiting the past, both in personal relationships and fashion choices.
About the author

Fashion designer and TV host ("Queer Eye"), known for his classic style advice.

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