Great Outfits in Fashion History: Michelle Yeoh’s 1992 Sequined Purple Mini Dress

There are perfectly good celebrity style moments, and then there are the looks that really stick with you, the ones you try desperately to recreate at home. In ‘Great Outfits in Fashion History,’ Fashionista editors are revisiting their all-time favorite lewks.

As overused as the term “mother” is, there’s no better phrase to describe Michelle Yeoh. The acting? The impeccable sense of style? The non-problematic personality? Mother is mothering — and has been doing so for decades, long before “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Everything Everywhere All At Once.”

Even in the early ’90s, Yeoh (formerly Khan) was “mother” material, as proven at the 1992 premiere of “Supercop” starring Jackie Chan. The movie signaled her foray into Hollywood — she only had major acting credits in Hong Kong at the time — meaning the pressure was on for the red carpet. Of course, she didn’t disappoint, stepping out in a sparkly purple mini dress with a bow-adorned empire waist that looks straight out of Versace’s Spring 2024 collection.

Matching purple pumps, a beaded bracelet and a gold chain necklace completed the look. While the ensemble was rather simple, it was high-impact — enough to put her on Hollywood’s best-dressed list, on which she still remains (though, with many more Balenciaga credits).

Channel Yeoh’s earlier fashion era with the pieces below.

Self-Portrait Lilac Sequin Mini Dress, $585 $350, available here (sizes 0-12)

Onalaua Zusi Mini Slip, $512, available here (sizes XS-XXXL)

Nina Parker Trendy Plus Size Printed Short-Sleeve Sequin Dress, $99, available here (sizes 0X-4X)

Superdown Bryanna Mini Dress, $88 $60, available here (sizes XXS-XL)

Retrofete Jill Sequin Dress, $495 $348, available here (sizes XXS-XXL)

Please note: Occasionally, we use affiliate links on our site. This in no way affects our editorial decision-making.

Want the latest fashion industry news first? Sign up for our daily newsletter.