Laverne Cox’s new sitcom, Clean Slate, is now out! Cox, who rose to fame as Sophia Burset on Orange Is the New Black, has been touring the press circuit in New York City to get the word out about her new show.
For her appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark, Cox paid homage to Madonna as she donned an outfit that echoed the iconic suit John Galliano designed for the Queen of Pop for her 1994 music video Take a Bow.
Laverne Cox channels Madonna in John Galliano as she promotes her sitcom Clean Slate at Live with Kelly & Mark (Credit: YouTube / Madonna / Roger Wong / INSTARimages)
Cox perfectly captures Madonna’s unapologetic persona with this striking homage.
Laverne Cox Channels Madonna in a Vintage John Galliano Power Suit
Known for her love of everything vintage, Laverne Cox wore another archival ensemble for her recent TV appearance. She chose a two-piece vintage business outfit from John Galliano’s Spring 1995 collection featuring a fitted gray single-breasted blazer top and a black midi skirt highlighting her hourglass curves.
Cox’s structured gray blazer features a classic houndstooth pattern, ruched short sleeves, and a plunging V-neckline—mirroring Madonna’s iconic Take a Bow look.
It also has large black buttons on the center front, a nipped-in waist, and exposed seams that serve as visual guides that draw attention to Cox’s natural curves. To further highlight her figure, Cox styled it with a slim leopard-print belt.
Madonna had a corset underneath hers, but Cox seemed to be wearing nothing but a bra.
Laverne Cox embraces retro fashion, wearing a gray John Galliano blazer with ruched sleeves and a black pencil skirt with sheer trims evocative of Madonna’s iconic outfit from her 1994 Take a Bow music video (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)
For the lower half, Cox wore a fitted black pencil midi skirt with a sheer hemline. I love how it fits her, creating a more visually appealing look.
Laverne revealed to hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos that she’s had the jacket for “three years” but “hasn’t worn it yet.” She said it reminds her of Dior’s 1947 bar suit but clarified that it was created before Galliano’s time as the house’s creative director, which he held from 1997 to 2011. “This is actually before Galliano was at Dior. It was like his bar suit before he was at Dior, almost an audition.”
“I’m styling it a little bit differently. It’s from John Galliano’s Spring/Summer 1995 collection. And I’ve been obsessed with it forever.”
Laverne Cox’s two-piece skirt suit is styled with a leopard-print belt, accentuating her hourglass curves (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)
John Galliano’s visionary designs have long captivated celebrities, leading to numerous iconic fashion moments. At the 2018 Met Gala, Rihanna embraced the ‘Heavenly Bodies’ theme in a custom Maison Margiela ensemble by Galliano, exuding regal elegance.
Similarly, Elle Fanning showcased timeless sophistication in a vintage John Galliano slip dress at a Roku Gin event, highlighting his enduring appeal among fashion enthusiasts.
How Laverne Cox Perfected the Look With Chic Accessories
Like Madonna, Cox styled the ensemble with black leather opera gloves, which enhanced the outfit’s sophistication and glamour.
She also wore a black fascinator with a dotted veil, but its bow top made it appear larger and more feminine than Madonna’s. I adore how the veil hints at mysterious appeal, and the vintage-style hat blends regal elegance and nostalgia.
She further accessorized the vintage ensemble with a fuzzy black floral brooch, which gave it a whimsical touch.
Laverne Cox elevates the retro business wear with black leather opera gloves, a black floral brooch, diamond earrings, and a black fascinator with a dramatic dotted veil (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)
A black rosary-style necklace and a pair of diamond studs were Madonna’s finishing touches, but Laverne decided to forgo the necklace in favor of large diamond earrings.
As I had expected, Cox didn’t disappoint in the beauty department. Her bold red lipstick, winged eyeliner, thick lashes, and glittering soft eyeshadow added to the nostalgic vibe of the look. She had her blonde hair in a bun with finger waves, just like Madonna.
Laverne Cox’s Strappy Pumps: A Modern Twist on a Retro Look
Laverne covered her legs with fishnets before slipping her feet into black strappy pumps, adding a touch of modern femininity to the look.
Cox likely opted for Michael Kors’ Cardi pumps, distinguished by their elegant d’Orsay silhouette and delicate buckled straps across the vamp and ankle. Standing at 5’11”, she appeared even taller, thanks to the shoes’ sharply pointed toes and soaring stiletto heels, which added a sleek, elongating effect.
Laverne Cox adds a hint of modern femininity to the vintage look with the Michael Kors Cardi pumps featuring a strappy upper, pointed toe, and stiletto heel (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)
Their croc-embossed leather construction gives the ensemble a hint of opulence and richness. Laverne Cox isn’t the only celebrity with a penchant for Michael Kors footwear.
At the Michael Kors Fall/Winter 2024 fashion show, Blake Lively turned heads in a giraffe-print ensemble, complemented by chic brown knee-high boots, exemplifying her signature elegant style.
Similarly, Scarlett Johansson made a striking appearance at the 2023 Golden Heart Awards, donning a matte black gathered jersey dress from Michael Kors’ Spring 2024 collection, paired with glossy black platform heels, highlighting her sophisticated fashion sense.
Laverne Cox’s Love for Statement Heels
Laverne Cox’s footwear choices consistently showcase her impeccable style and attention to detail. At the 2017 NAACP Image Awards, she donned a black crepe Marc Bouwer gown, elegantly paired with Stuart Weitzman’s ‘Nudist’ sandals, highlighting her penchant for minimalist yet sophisticated designs.
Similarly, at the 2018 NAACP Image Awards, Laverne turned heads in a sparkling see-through Abyss by Abby dress, complemented by Stuart Weitzman heels, underscoring her affinity for statement footwear that perfectly balances boldness and elegance.
Cox’s bold fashion choices reflect the confidence and charisma she brings to her latest project, Clean Slate, a comedy that explores family, identity, and acceptance.
Clean Slate: Laverne Cox’s New Sitcom Tackles Family, Identity, and Acceptance
The new Prime Video series Clean Slate follows the story of Desiree (Laverne Cox), a transgender woman who returns home to Alabama to reunite with her father, Harry Slate (George Wallace), after 23 years of separation.
Harry is excited to see him again, unaware that his son is now a proud trans woman. The eight episodes of Clean Slate, created by Laverne Cox and George Wallace alongside Dan Ewen, are currently available for streaming on Prime Video.