MEMORIES

Looking Back at Hervé Léger Designer Hervé L. Leroux, and All the Times When Bandage Dresses Ruled the World


2007 Clive Davis Pre-GRAMMY Awards Party - Arrivals
Jon Kopaloff

Today, stars like Rihanna, Solange Knowles, and Tilda Swinton are celebrated for having a unique style all their own. But not too long along, the celebrity set was all about adhering to red carpet norms: a mermaid silhouette, neutral hues, and, most importantly, the bandage dress. Made popular by Hervé Léger, the body-hugging, ultra-tight dress, which received its name thanks to the resemblance of a number of Ace bandages wrapping the body, was the height of fashion around 2010, making at least one appearance at every major awards show. And it was not just the Kim Kardashians and Lindsay Lohans of the world who partook in the trend—though, they were admittedly two of its most popular endorsers. Unlikely suspects like Kristen Stewart, Kate Winslet, and Victoria Beckham all had their body-con moment, while Taylor Swift and Emily Blunt even took it one step further, wearing full-length versions of the style to major awards show. Today, the designer of the style, Hervé L. Leroux, died at 60, leaving behind a memorable legacy in fashion’s history. In honor of his memory, a look back at a time when bandage dresses ruled the world.

1
Jason Kempin

Lindsay Lohan attends Maxim’s 8th Annual Hot 100 Party on May 16, 2007. (Photo by Jason Kempin/FilmMagic)

2
Djamilla Rosa Cochran

Victoria Beckham at Marc Jacobs Spring 2008 during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the New York State Armory on September 10, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Djamilla Cochran/WireImage)

3
Lalo Yasky

Gisele Bundchen launches Vogue Eyewear Play Everyday Campaign at th Atzaro Hotel, on March 27, 2008 in Ibiza, Spain. (Photo by Lalo Yasky/WireImage)

4
Dimitrios Kambouris

Rachel Bilson attends the Art Party and Auction hosted by the Whitney Contemporaries on June 17, 2008 at Skylight in New York. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage)

5
Evan Agostini

Kate Bosworth attends the fifth annual Whitney Contemporaries Art Party and Auction benefiting the Whitney Museum of American Art’s Independent Study Program held at Skylight Studio on June 6, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)

6
Dimitrios Kambouris

Miranda Kerr attends the grand opening celebration for the new Victoria’s Secret Lexington Avenue flagship store on December 2, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage)

7
Jim Spellman

Kate Winslet attends the premiere of “The Reader” at the Ziegfeld Theatre December 3, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)

8
Jesse Grant

Katy Perry arrives at Bondi Blonde’s Style Mansion Hosted By Katy Perry at the Style Mansion International on February 9, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/WireImage)

9
Michael Tran

Kristen Stewart arrives to the Los Angeles premiere of “Adventureland” held at Mann Chinese 6 Theaters on March 16, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic)

10
Theo Wargo

Kate Mara attends Herve Leger Spring 2009 at The Promenade, Bryant Park on September 7, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/WireImage)

11
Tim P. Whitby

Miley Cyrus arrives at the UK film premiere of ‘Hannah Montana: The Movie’ held at the Odeon, Leicester Square on April 23, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)

12
Frazer Harrison

Diane Kruger arrives at the People’s Choice Awards 2010 held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on January 6, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for PCA)

13
Andrew H. Walker

Sofia Vergara attends The Cinema Society & Piaget screening of “Twilight Saga: Eclipse” at the Crosby Street Hotel on June 28, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

14
Steven Lawton

Leighton Meester arrives at Haze Nightclub at the Aria Resort & Casino at CityCenter on March 6, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steven Lawton/FilmMagic)

15
Kevin Mazur

Demi Lovato arrives at the 2010 VH1 Do Something! Awards held at the Hollywood Palladium on July 19, 2010 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

16
Chris Polk

Emily Blunt during In Style & Warner Bros. Studios Host 8th Annual Golden Globe Party – Arrivals at Oasis Court – Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, United States. (Photo by Chris Polk/FilmMagic)

17
Jeffrey Mayer

Jennifer Lopez attends the Boys And Girls Clubs Of America Announcement With Denzel Washington And Jennifer Lopez at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 30, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

18
Jason Merritt

Amanda Bynes arrives at the 2011 MTV Movie Awards at Universal Studios’ Gibson Amphitheatre on June 5, 2011 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

19
Ethan Miller

Kylie Jenner arrives at the grand opening of the Kardashian Khaos store at The Mirage Hotel & Casino December 15, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

20
Jeff Bottari

Mary J Blige arrives to celebrate The New Year at the RPM Nightclub at the Tropicana Las Vegas on December 31, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/WireImage)

21
Alexander Tamargo

Kim Kardashian arrives at Zuma Japanese Restaurant at the EPIC Hotel on February 2, 2012 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images)

22
Jeffrey Mayer

Nicki Minaj attends the FOX’s ‘American Idol’ Season 12 Premiere at Royce Hall on the UCLA Campus on January 9, 2013 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage)

23
Dimitrios Kambouris

Taylor Swift attends the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage)

24
Jon Kopaloff

Rihanna during 2007 Clive Davis Pre-GRAMMY Awards Party – Arrivals at Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, United States. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic)

25
Bryan Bedder

Zoey Deutch poses backstage at the Herve Leger By Max Azria fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2014 at The Theatre at Lincoln Center on February 8, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week)

26

Meghan Markle poses backstage at the Herve Leger By Max Azria fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2014 at The Theatre at Lincoln Center on February 8, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week)

27
Patrick McMullan

Mandy Moore attends HERVE LEGER by MAX AZRIA Fall 2008 Collection at The Promenade on February 3, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by CLINT SPAULDING/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

28
Patrick McMullan

January Jones attends HERVE LEGER by MAX AZRIA Fall 2009 Collection at The Tents- Promenade on February 15, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by CLINT SPAULDING/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

29
Patrick McMullan

Alison Brie attends Herve Leger By Max Azria Fall 2010 Collection at Promenade on February 14, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by WILL RAGOZZINO/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

30
Frank Trapper

Megan Fox arrives at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, held at the Palms Hotel and Casino, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images)

31
Frazer Harrison

Britney Spears arrives at KIIS FM’s 2011 Wango Tango Concert at Staples Center on May 14, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

32
Michael Loccisano

Beyonce Knowles during Beyonce Visits MTV’s “TRL” on September 5, 2006 at MTV Studios Times Square in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic)

33
Christopher Polk

Amy Schumer arrives at the Comedy Central Roast of Roseanne Barr at Hollywood Palladium on August 4, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)