EmRata Just Revived *That* Tom Ford Python Dress—and It's Still Iconic

EmRata is channeling peak ’90s Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford-era Gucci

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Tom Ford-era Gucci SS 2000
(Image credit: Getty Images)
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Lately, thanks to Getty (and my unrivalled procrastination), I’ve fallen down a rabbit hole of Gwyneth Paltrow’s 1990s wardrobe, which, it turns out, is a goldmine of sartorial inspiration. I suspect most people already knew this, but I’d been too distracted by her quirky wellness empire to notice that, back in the ’90s and early noughties, Gwyneth had one of the most enviable closets in Hollywood.

There are the cosy, if slightly Matrix-coded (complimentary!), Brad Pitt years, the minimalist Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy-esque two-pieces, and now, I’ve discovered, the Tom Ford for Gucci era.

Gwyneth Paltrow at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, New York

Gwyneth Paltrow at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, New York, 1999

(Image credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage via Getty Images)

In 1999, while riding high on The Talented Mr. Ripley fame, Gwyneth attended Tommy Hilfiger’s ‘Rock Style’ exhibit at The Met. The night yielded some truly iconic fashion moments—deserving of their own deep dives (which they will get!)—but for now, I’m focused on what she wore: an electric-blue python-print gown from Tom Ford’s Spring 2000 collection for Gucci. Modelled on the runway by Frankie Rayder, the dress was customised especially for Gwyneth.

Gucci Spring 2000 Ready to Wear Runway Show

Gucci Spring 2000 Ready to Wear Runway Show

(Image credit: Davide Maestri/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)

Fast forward 26 years, and Emily Ratajkowski has revived the look with her own spin on the serpentine design. Naturally—EmRata is understandably a fan of a mini hem length—the dress was spliced above the thigh.

In contrast to Gwyneth’s styling (she had the dress lengthened), EmRata’s version, which seems to have been sourced from The Realist, was spliced at the thigh—EmRata is understandably a fan of a mini hem length. She paired the vintage mini with a pair of Paris Texas patent mules and a moody-hued pedicure.

Emily Ratajkowski is seen on July 16, 2025 in New York City

Emily Ratajkowski on July 16, 2025 in New York City

(Image credit: XNY/Star Max / Contributor via Getty Images)

While it could easily be chalked up to another wave of ’90s/early 2000s nostalgia—snake print being a defining motif of that Ford collection, alongside micro-hotpants and whisper-thin fabrics—EmRata’s fashion choices, I think, reflect a deeper homage. She’s known for her love of Tom Ford’s Gucci era (aren’t we all!), so this latest revival feels less like yet another Y2K run-over and more like a tribute.

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Mischa Anouk Smith
Mischa Anouk Smith
News and Features Editor

Mischa Anouk Smith is the News and Features Editor of Marie Claire UK, commissioning and writing in-depth features on culture, politics, and issues that shape women’s lives. Her work blends sharp cultural insight with rigorous reporting, from pop culture and technology to fertility, work, and relationships. Mischa’s investigations have earned awards and led to appearances on BBC Politics Live and Woman’s Hour. For her investigation into rape culture in primary schools, she was shortlisted for an End Violence Against Women award. She previously wrote for Refinery29, Stylist, Dazed, and Far Out.