Fashion trends always find a way back.
Historically, the breastplate was used to protect the torso from injury but with the rapid evolution in the fashion industry trends, they have redefined the look - making it fashionable.
Celebrities have caught onto the trend incorporating the look in their red-carpet moments. The likes of Jennifer Lopez have donned the custom-made design at the 2023 ELLE's Women in Hollywood celebration. She stunned in a chrome risqué breastplate by Grace Ling showing off a bit of underboob and also bared her impressive midriff section. The 54-year-old accessorised it with dangle earrings and wore her hair slicked back.
Local prominent figures have done their take on the look, including Linda Mtoba at the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever South African premiere.
Zendaya's Tom Ford pink look at the 2020 Annual Critics' Choice Awards went viral, as did her subsequent Loewe look in 2021. Another celebrated fashion star Rihanna rocked the trending piece during her 2023 Super Bowl halftime show.
According to Vogue, the sculptural piece’s latest resurgence arguably began with Zendaya, who wore a hot-pink metallic breastplate by Tom Ford to the Critics’ Choice Awards in January 2020.
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The breastplate is making a stellar comeback. Here are celebrities who have rocked the breastplate trending look:
1. Linda Mtoba
The actress stunned in a silver breastplate, wearing a floor-length skirt.
2. Lupita Nyong'o
Lupita strutted the 76th Tony Awards on 11 June 2023 in a custom-made breastplate, which was sentimental to her. On Instagram, she wrote that she is "Honoured, humbled, strengthened and energised to don this breastplate, which she cast and molded of my body".
3. Rihanna
Performing at the Super Bowl half-time show in February 2023, she wore a custom Loewe breastplate while debuting her second pregnancy.
4. Beyoncé
During her stellar Renaissance World Tour, Beyoncé showcased various custom-made looks while serenading the Beehive. She also incorporated the breastplate in her looks.
5. Daala Oruwari
In an ethereal art show, Nigerian model Daala wore a gold breastplate at Real Housewives of Lagos reality TV star Tiannah's art show.
Tiannah wrote on her Instagram that, "This was one of my favourite masterpiece and I had to make sure we opened the show with it."
6. Mihlali Ndamase
Styled by celebrity stylist Phupho Gumede, the Mihlali wore a gold breastplate channelling her inner goddess.
