In the world of fashion, there are moments, and then there are statements. Irina Shayk, a supermodel whose sartorial choices are as closely watched as her runway walks, just delivered a statement of seismic proportions. From the historic, cobblestoned streets of Prague, Shayk took to Instagram to reveal a look that was less about the present moment and more about a powerful dialogue with fashion history. The centerpiece? A bold, architectural white cone bra that immediately sparked a collective memory of pop music’s most audacious queen: Madonna.
Captured in a series of behind-the-scenes photos while preparing for the prestigious Pirelli Calendar launch press interviews, Shayk’s ensemble was a masterclass in calculated rebellion and refined elegance. It was a look that didn’t just borrow from the past; it resurrected an icon, reinterpreted its meaning for a new era, and solidified Shayk’s status as a true fashion intellectual. This wasn't just an outfit; it was a cultural C-suite move, proving that the most potent trends are never truly new, but are instead powerful ideas waiting for the right person to re-ignite them.
A Deliberate Homage: Deconstructing the Look
To understand the gravity of Shayk’s fashion choice, one must first appreciate its meticulous construction. This was no mere vintage find; it was a contemporary creation designed by the visionary Luis de Javier, a designer known for his provocative and sculptural work. The bra itself was a work of art, featuring a highly structured bodice that gave way to sharp, pronounced cups reminiscent of seashells—a direct and unmistakable nod to the Jean Paul Gaultier creation that Madonna made legendary on her 1990 Blond Ambition Tour.
Yet, Shayk and her team demonstrated profound styling intelligence by avoiding a direct costume-like replication. The avant-garde nature of the cone bra was brilliantly grounded and modernized. Instead of Gaultier’s theatrical corsetry, Shayk paired the piece with sleek, high-waisted black trousers and a sliver of satin shapewear peeking through. This juxtaposition of underwear-as-outerwear with classic tailoring felt incredibly current, speaking to a modern woman’s wardrobe where boundaries between lingerie and ready-to-wear are fluid and intentional.
The look was cinched with a simple black belt, a subtle touch that anchored the entire silhouette and emphasized the model's powerful form. The styling choices extended to her beauty look: sharp, braided ponytails and impeccably polished makeup provided a clean, strong frame that allowed the outfit to command full attention. The result was a look that paid direct homage to its source material but was filtered through Shayk's signature elegance—a modern twist that felt less like a tribute and more like a passing of the torch.
The Enduring Power of a Pop Culture Landmark
To see Shayk’s bra is to immediately see Madonna. The original cone bra, designed by Jean Paul Gaultier for the 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour, was more than just a piece of clothing. It was a cultural atom bomb. At the time, it was a radical, confrontational statement on female sexuality, power, and autonomy. Madonna used it to weaponize femininity, turning an undergarment into armor and a symbol of unapologetic sexual expression. It challenged societal norms about what a woman, particularly a female pop star, could wear and represent on a global stage.
By invoking this specific piece of fashion history, Irina Shayk is doing more than just referencing a famous look. She is tapping into that legacy of rebellion and female empowerment. In 2023, the context is different, but the core message resonates. In an era of ongoing conversations about body positivity, female agency, and the dismantling of the male gaze, the cone bra re-emerges as a potent symbol. Shayk's decision to wear it for the Pirelli Calendar interviews—an event historically tied to evolving perceptions of beauty and sensuality—feels particularly poignant and strategic.
It’s a testament to the power of Gaultier's original design and Madonna's audacious performance that, over three decades later, the silhouette can still stop traffic and ignite conversation. It proves that truly iconic fashion transcends trends; it becomes part of our cultural lexicon, a visual shorthand for a specific attitude and era, ready to be re-interpreted by new generations of powerful women.
The Cone Bra's Modern Resurgence
While Shayk’s look is arguably the most high-profile recent example, it doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Her choice aligns perfectly with a broader, bubbling-under resurgence of the cone and bullet bra silhouette in high fashion. This revival is not merely about nostalgia for the 90s, but also reaches further back to the silhouette's origins in the 1950s and 60s, when the "bullet bra" was a staple of mid-century femininity, albeit a much more restrictive and conventional one.
Today’s designers are reclaiming that pointed, architectural shape and infusing it with a modern, liberated sensibility. Luis de Javier, the creator of Shayk's piece, is at the forefront of this movement. But the trend's momentum is also being fueled by major fashion houses and tastemakers. Consider the recent collections from Miu Miu, which have consistently played with retro lingerie tropes and re-contextualized them for a quirky, intellectual audience. The bullet bra silhouette has appeared, subtly and overtly, as a new signifier of cool.
The trend has also found champions among Hollywood's most stylish stars, each offering their own interpretation:
- Jodie Turner-Smith has been seen embracing sculptural, avant-garde bustiers that echo the cone's pointed shape.
- Margot Robbie, particularly during her Barbie press tour, has channeled vintage silhouettes that play with the exaggerated proportions of mid-century undergarments.
- Dua Lipa, a modern pop icon in her own right, has frequently incorporated lingerie-inspired elements and structured bodices into her stage and red-carpet looks.
This collective turn towards a more defined, even aggressive, bustline signals a shift in fashion. It’s a move away from the softer, more natural shapes that have dominated for years and a step towards a more deliberate, constructed, and powerful form of femininity. It’s fashion as armor, a statement of presence and confidence.
Irina Shayk: The Trendsetter's Gambit
For Irina Shayk, this moment is perfectly on-brand. She has long cultivated a reputation for embracing unconventional and daring fashion choices, particularly when it comes to undergarments. She understands that lingerie, when worn as outerwear, is a powerful tool for self-expression. This isn't the first time she has pushed boundaries, but it is perhaps her most intellectually resonant choice to date.
By referencing fashion history so explicitly, Shayk demonstrates a deep understanding of the medium. She proves she is not just a canvas for designers but an active participant in the creation of fashion narratives. Her look was met with a chorus of praise from fans online, who lauded her as "glowing" and an "inspiration to women." This reception confirms the success of her gambit. She managed to be provocative without being shocking for shock’s sake, and historical without being dated.
The choice to wear such a statement piece for the Pirelli press launch was no accident. It ensured that while she was there to talk about the iconic calendar, her very presence became a headline-worthy fashion event. It was a move that was both artistically compelling and commercially brilliant, cementing her place not just as a supermodel, but as a formidable cultural tastemaker.
Ultimately, Irina Shayk’s cone bra moment is a powerful reminder that fashion at its best is a conversation across time. It was a look that honored Madonna's rebellious spirit, championed a modern design talent in Luis de Javier, and perfectly captured a burgeoning trend. More than that, it was a declaration of confidence from a woman who knows the power she wields—both in front of the camera and in the ever-shifting landscape of global style.
