When Jordan Firstman arrived at this year's Comedian Sundance Film Festival, sporting an oversized shearling-trimmed leather coat and white tights, it caused quite a stir among even the most cynical locals of Park City. It was a deliberate move to go viral — the writer/actor, known for his viral video impressions, and his stylist Jared Ellner recreated Channing Tatum's iconic Y2K look from the Sean John runway in 2003, fully aware of its Instagram appeal. And it worked like a charm. The ensemble was simultaneously nostalgic, hilarious, and undeniably eye-catching, earning praise even from Tatum himself.
Firstman is part of a cohort of comedian stars, including Ziwe Fumudoh, Megan Stalter, and Benito Skinner, who have captivated the online community with their comedic genius and impeccable fashion sense. In a world where everyone is vying for attention on social media, their irreverent style sets them apart. It's no wonder that many now look to comedians as the most refreshing fashion icons of our time.
They follow in the footsteps of camp queens like Fran Drescher, Cher, and Parker Posey, who have perfected the art of not caring at all in the most extravagant way. Their looks are delightfully extravagant, often the result of meticulous styling, yet never feel contrived. It's a combination that we should aspire to: extra but effortlessly so.
Megan Stalter, star of the show “Hacks,” showcased her brilliant fashion parodies on TikTok, including a Met Gala red carpet spoof featuring a dress made of a bath towel and toilet paper, hilariously described as a collaboration between JCPenney and the inventor of fidget spinners. In reality, Stalter's collaboration with stylist Kat Typaldos has produced some of the most exciting looks lately, from a custom aqua blue one-shoulder cut-out dress by Canadian label Sapodillas for her appearance on “RuPaul's Drag Race” to a vintage Versace lace-up lingerie dress at the 2022 Golden Globes.
At the Cannes red carpet premiere of “The Idol,” Rachel Sennott held her own among fashion heavyweights like Lily-Rose Depp, Jennie Kim, and Hari Nef. Sennott, whose breakthrough performance in the indie hit “Shiva Baby” propelled her to rising comedy star status, has attracted the attention of luxury brands such as Hermès and Ferragamo. She effortlessly embodied Old Hollywood sex kitten and Y2K club kid aesthetics with two Patou party dresses.
On her talk show “Ziwe,” Fumudoh takes delight in roasting her guests while donning a range of outfits, from Chanel-inspired tweed suits to Lucite platform stripper heels. She describes her fashion sense as “like a first lady but kind of slutty,” a collaboration with stylist Pamela Shepard Hill. Fumudoh gained fame during the pandemic for her thought-provoking interviews on race and other sensitive topics with political figures and white feminists.
Screenshots from the show, often shared on Fumudoh's feed for meme purposes, showcase her unique brand of irony. Designers like Miu Miu have embraced her, dressing her in provocative school girl looks, and she even walked the runway at Mugler's fall 2023 show, pausing mid-walk to call out attendee Lisa Rinna.
Speaking of Rinna, although not technically a comedian, she has unexpectedly become a fashion sensation since departing “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” Rinna's controversial and unpredictable actions have made her a staple in the Housewives meme universe. She willingly embraces the role of a jokester for the camera, offering herself up for plotlines, viral photos, and daring runway looks. From walking the runway at Copenhagen Fashion Week for Rotate to attending Chanel's recent cruise show and gracing the cover of CR Fashion Book, Rinna is owning her fashion moment with confidence.
In today's celebrity landscape, there are few pop stars who invite the same kind of sartorial experimentation. While artists like Rihanna and Doja Cat are known for pushing boundaries, many A-listers are cautious about taking risks without considering how it will be received by their fans and the luxury brands they endorse. Awards shows have become sponsored events, red carpets sanitized, and Instagram posts meticulously curated. As Lexi Featherston from “Sex and the City” once lamented, “No one's fun anymore!” Perhaps it's the stars who can truly let loose and embrace their authenticity who will dominate the fashion world.