Taylor Swift’s Fortnight Music Video: A Fashion Breakdown of Her Award-Winning Looks
Taylor Swift’s Fortnight music video has won Video of the Year and many more awards at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, solidifying its cultural and artistic impact. You can read our post “MTV VMAs 2024: Full Winners List and Key Highlights” here!
Shot entirely in black and white, the video isn’t just a visual masterpiece—it’s also a striking showcase of fashion. Each outfit is carefully curated to amplify the emotional depth of the song, turning the video into a journey of love, loss, and resilience. Let’s take a closer look at the key outfits and how they contribute to the storytelling in Fortnight.
The Victorian Mourning Gown: A Symbol of Heartbreak
In one of the video’s most striking looks, Swift dons a black Victorian-style mourning gown, which adds to the melancholic tone of the video. The puffed sleeves and high collar create a dramatic, gothic aesthetic, evoking the themes of loss and heartbreak that run through the video.
The gown harks back to traditional mourning wear, reflecting the sadness and grief depicted in the storyline. This black gown, with its intricate detailing, captures the sombre mood perfectly, giving the audience a visual representation of the weight of emotional sorrow that Taylor is expressing.
The Wedding Dress: A Dream Shattered
Another powerful moment in the video sees Taylor wearing a beautifully ruched wedding gown, a stark contrast to the despair unfolding in the scene. As she furiously thrashes around the room, breaking furniture, the wedding dress symbolises the collapse of a dream—likely representing a failed relationship or the loss of hope in love.
This dress feels familiar to fans, as it resembles the Schiaparelli gown Swift wore at the 2024 Grammys. In the video, the wedding gown serves as a potent symbol of lost love and broken promises, aligning with the heartache expressed in the lyrics of Fortnight.
A Homage to Clara Bow: Old Hollywood Glamour
Taylor also channels a sense of old-school glamour in the video with a look inspired by silent film star Clara Bow. The video highlights her perfectly styled vintage waves, bold lips, and signature thin brows, paying homage to the iconic 1920s actress. In black and white, this look is a nostalgic throwback, reflecting both the glamour and the intensity of silent-era films.
The choice of this old Hollywood style connects with the video’s monochromatic aesthetic and adds to the timeless feel of Fortnight. This scene underscores Swift’s ability to channel different eras and styles while still maintaining emotional intensity.
The Shock Therapy Scene: Dark and Intense
One of the most jarring sequences in the video is the shock therapy scene. Taylor wears a simple black gown here, which allows the scene’s emotional intensity to stand at the forefront. The minimalist design of the dress ensures that the focus remains on the dramatic imagery of the scene, where Swift’s expressions and body language take centre stage.
This scene, with its stark fashion, reminds fans of classic horror tropes, particularly the use of dark imagery to evoke feelings of loss of control and internal struggle. The black dress acts as a visual anchor, balancing the chaotic energy of the scene and enhancing the emotional weight.
Monochrome Fashion: The Power of Black and White
By shooting the Fortnight video entirely in black and white, Swift strips away distractions and focuses the viewer’s attention on the symbolism behind the fashion and the storyline. The absence of colour emphasises texture, silhouette, and fabric in a way that highlights the emotional gravity of each scene.
The choice to film in black and white also ties the video back to the old Hollywood glamour inspired by Clara Bow, creating a sense of timelessness. The monochrome palette offers a more intense, dramatic experience, enhancing the feelings of sorrow, heartbreak, and eventually, resilience.
Fashion as Emotional Storytelling
Taylor Swift’s Fortnight is a masterclass in how fashion can be used to complement and deepen storytelling. From the Victorian mourning gown to the wedding dress and old Hollywood glam, each outfit represents a key emotional moment in the video. The black and white aesthetic highlights the symbolic importance of these wardrobe choices, ensuring that the audience is fully immersed in the emotional journey.
The video’s win at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards is well-deserved, not only for its musical and cinematic excellence but also for the fashion choices that underscore the emotional depth of the video. By blending fashion and storytelling, Taylor Swift once again proves her unparalleled ability to connect with audiences on multiple levels.
If you enjoyed reading this music video review, make sure to check our other blog posts here as well as our fun music quizzes here.
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Taylor Swift’s “Fortnight” Fashion: A Stunning Breakdown
Taylor Swift’s Fortnight Music Video: A Fashion Breakdown of Her Award-Winning Looks
Taylor Swift’s Fortnight music video has won Video of the Year and many more awards at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, solidifying its cultural and artistic impact. You can read our post “MTV VMAs 2024: Full Winners List and Key Highlights” here!
Shot entirely in black and white, the video isn’t just a visual masterpiece—it’s also a striking showcase of fashion. Each outfit is carefully curated to amplify the emotional depth of the song, turning the video into a journey of love, loss, and resilience. Let’s take a closer look at the key outfits and how they contribute to the storytelling in Fortnight.
The Victorian Mourning Gown: A Symbol of Heartbreak
In one of the video’s most striking looks, Swift dons a black Victorian-style mourning gown, which adds to the melancholic tone of the video. The puffed sleeves and high collar create a dramatic, gothic aesthetic, evoking the themes of loss and heartbreak that run through the video.
The gown harks back to traditional mourning wear, reflecting the sadness and grief depicted in the storyline. This black gown, with its intricate detailing, captures the sombre mood perfectly, giving the audience a visual representation of the weight of emotional sorrow that Taylor is expressing.
The Wedding Dress: A Dream Shattered
Another powerful moment in the video sees Taylor wearing a beautifully ruched wedding gown, a stark contrast to the despair unfolding in the scene. As she furiously thrashes around the room, breaking furniture, the wedding dress symbolises the collapse of a dream—likely representing a failed relationship or the loss of hope in love.
This dress feels familiar to fans, as it resembles the Schiaparelli gown Swift wore at the 2024 Grammys. In the video, the wedding gown serves as a potent symbol of lost love and broken promises, aligning with the heartache expressed in the lyrics of Fortnight.
A Homage to Clara Bow: Old Hollywood Glamour
Taylor also channels a sense of old-school glamour in the video with a look inspired by silent film star Clara Bow. The video highlights her perfectly styled vintage waves, bold lips, and signature thin brows, paying homage to the iconic 1920s actress. In black and white, this look is a nostalgic throwback, reflecting both the glamour and the intensity of silent-era films.
The choice of this old Hollywood style connects with the video’s monochromatic aesthetic and adds to the timeless feel of Fortnight. This scene underscores Swift’s ability to channel different eras and styles while still maintaining emotional intensity.
The Shock Therapy Scene: Dark and Intense
One of the most jarring sequences in the video is the shock therapy scene. Taylor wears a simple black gown here, which allows the scene’s emotional intensity to stand at the forefront. The minimalist design of the dress ensures that the focus remains on the dramatic imagery of the scene, where Swift’s expressions and body language take centre stage.
This scene, with its stark fashion, reminds fans of classic horror tropes, particularly the use of dark imagery to evoke feelings of loss of control and internal struggle. The black dress acts as a visual anchor, balancing the chaotic energy of the scene and enhancing the emotional weight.
Monochrome Fashion: The Power of Black and White
By shooting the Fortnight video entirely in black and white, Swift strips away distractions and focuses the viewer’s attention on the symbolism behind the fashion and the storyline. The absence of colour emphasises texture, silhouette, and fabric in a way that highlights the emotional gravity of each scene.
The choice to film in black and white also ties the video back to the old Hollywood glamour inspired by Clara Bow, creating a sense of timelessness. The monochrome palette offers a more intense, dramatic experience, enhancing the feelings of sorrow, heartbreak, and eventually, resilience.
Fashion as Emotional Storytelling
Taylor Swift’s Fortnight is a masterclass in how fashion can be used to complement and deepen storytelling. From the Victorian mourning gown to the wedding dress and old Hollywood glam, each outfit represents a key emotional moment in the video. The black and white aesthetic highlights the symbolic importance of these wardrobe choices, ensuring that the audience is fully immersed in the emotional journey.
The video’s win at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards is well-deserved, not only for its musical and cinematic excellence but also for the fashion choices that underscore the emotional depth of the video. By blending fashion and storytelling, Taylor Swift once again proves her unparalleled ability to connect with audiences on multiple levels.
If you enjoyed reading this music video review, make sure to check our other blog posts here as well as our fun music quizzes here.
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