Hayden Panettiere made a big fashion statement at Sunday’s Golden Globe Awards — not so much because of what she was wearing but because of how she got it. Celebs typically borrow red carpet gowns from the designers themselves, but Panettiere, 24, reportedly bought her black-and-white Tom Ford number off-the-rack, which many consider a fashion faux pas.
Ford is known for dressing just one woman per awards show, and on Sunday, Jan. 12, that woman was Naomi Watts, who donned a silver, beaded column dress by the designer. Panettiere is such a fan, however, that she apparently went out and purchased one of Ford’s gowns for herself.
Asked by Giuliana Rancic what she was wearing on the red carpet at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the Nashville actress replied, “Tom Ford. It’s the first time I’ve ever worn him, because I’ve been begging…I feel sexy in it, I feel comfortable in it, and I’m in Tom Ford. I would wear a plastic bag if it was designed by him.”
Not long after, journalist Jim Shi tweeted, “Tom Ford confirms to me he ONLY dressed #NaomiWatts tonight. Hayden Panettiere BOUGHT her Tom Ford dress at RETAIL. Tsk, tsk.”
In any case, the Golden Globe nominee wore Ford’s gown well. And he seems to agree. On Tuesday, Jan. 14, Panettiere revealed on Twitter that she had received a bouquet of flowers from the designer, along with a sweet message thanking her for what she said on the red carpet.
“Such an honor to wear one of this man’s masterpieces! Thank you for my beautiful flowers!” the recently engaged star tweeted, along with a photo of what looks to be a couple dozen white roses. The card read, “Dear Hayden, You looked beautiful last night. Thank you for your kind words. Much love, Tom.”
