The Bravosphere is no stranger to a scandal — but its reality stars are rising to meet the moment in new ways.
One of the more visible retaliations of the spurned women? The revenge dress.
When Tom Sandoval was caught cheating on long-term girlfriend Ariana Madix with their mutual friend Raquel Leviss in 2023, the term “Scandoval” was coined — and Madix catapulted from “Vanderpump Rules” cast member to “Love Island USA” host, Broadway star, second runner-up on “Dancing with the Stars” and scripted series actress.
Another love triangle formed earlier this year, this time on the Hamptons show “Summer House,” when Amanda Batula and West Wilson announced their shock romance. The relationship was kept hidden from Batula’s estranged husband, Kyle Cooke, and Wilson’s ex (and Batula bestie), Ciara Miller — not to mention the rest of the interconnected cast.
While their situations are quite different, Miller has followed the Madix playbook; the “Summer House” star is set to vie for the mirrorball on “DWTS” this fall, will host “Love Island” companion show “AfterSun” alongside Madix, and the pair have even starred in commercials together poking fun at their personal tribulations.
Another thing the duo have in common is the designer they turned to for a statement-making dress at the opportune moment.
Madix made her “Love Island” debut wearing a gold Di Petsa gown, while Miller confronted her former flame and friend at the Season 10 “Summer House” reunion clad in an ab-revealing dress from the same designer.
Miller’s “Unravelling Silk Dress” was “inspired by the natural patterns left behind by the sea as it meets the sand,” designer Dimitra Petsa told Page Six Style exclusively.
“The sculptural draping echoes the fluid lines, ripples and movement of water, capturing a sense of freedom, fluidity, and connection to nature.”
Meanwhile, Madix’s “Wetlook” dress draws inspiration “from Venus emerging from the ocean, the goddess of beauty, love, and femininity.”
One of Petsa’s signature styles, her “wet” designs — which are actually dry — are crafted using a top-secret technique involving precise draping and stitching to trick the eye.
“The design evokes the moment of rising from the water, using fluid draping and movement. It is a celebration of beauty as something innate, powerful and deeply connected to nature,” Petsa said.
“Together, both dresses explore the relationship between women and water. They embody themes of fluidity, transformation and empowerment, honoring the natural beauty of the body through forms inspired by the sea.”
On the heels of her red ab-baring Mônot dress from the Season 10 “Vanderpump Rules” reunion, Madix knew she had to maximize her next career move with her sartorial choices.
“I was very determined to come in there and make a moment because I felt like I needed to show up and show out and show the world that I deserved to be the host of the show,” Madix told Paper of the moment, adding that she unleashed “this mermaid ultra glam pop star legend version of me.”
As for Miller’s own ab-baring Season 10 “Summer House” reunion dress, the star told Vogue, “Di Petsa is one of those designers that creates pieces that instantly make you feel confident and powerful the second you put them on.”
She added, “For me, it was less about the dress itself and more about how I felt walking into the room—just feeling fully confident in myself.”
And Miller and Madix aren’t the only celebs who have looked to Di Petsa for their big rebrands. Hilary Duff wore one of the designer’s soaked-looking gowns for a performance on “The Tonight Show” earlier this year to kick off her return to pop music, while Shakira sported a gold minidress in the music video for her 2023 breakup anthem for Karol G, “TQG.”
“These designs work so well for women entering a new phase of life because they inspire confidence and self-expression,” Petsa said.
“Whether someone is moving on from a breakup or embracing a personal rebrand, the pieces encourage them to step into their divinity and inner beauty, entering a more empowered, centered and spiritually connected version of themselves.”
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