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At first glance, Anne Curtis’ navy blue custom Mark Bumgarner gown has a classic mermaid silhouette that feels timeless for an event such as Tiffany & Co.’s Blue Book 2026: Hidden Garden. But the designer reveals that his creation is essentially a reclaiming of feminine power from a painting once considered scandalous.
A bold shift from the actress’s usual palette, this navy number’s elegance lies in its perfect proportions. Paired with dazzling high jewelry from Tiffany’s Hidden Garden collection, Bumgarner’s design lets the gems truly shine.
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The Madame
The gown shifts between deep navy and near-midnight tones depending on how the light catches its sheen. An off-shoulder bodice with a soft sweetheart curve flows into a skirt that flares at the hem with delicate, handcrafted floral petals. An intensely cinched corset creates a dramatic, disappearing waistline, balanced by clean lines that give the piece both softness and backbone.
Bumgarner reveals that his core inspiration was John Singer Sargent’s 1884 “Portrait of Madame X”—the famous depiction of socialite Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau in profile. The original piece caused a stir in Paris when it was first exhibited with one fallen strap, which was seen at the time as too provocative. Sargent eventually repainted the strap, but Madame X has since come to represent poise, elongated grace, and controlled strength.
“Paris fixated on that strap and called it vulgar. Sargent repainted it and left. The version we see now is the corrected one,” the designer shares. “Today, it reads as control, precision, and power. That idea carried into Anne’s navy gown. Clean. Exact. Quiet, but strong. We added the floral detail late in the process as a natural evolution. It happened to echo Tiffany’s Hidden Garden theme—a rare alignment. Same energy, less noise—just a commanding presence like Madame X.”
Where Anne has often chosen black or white for major formal nights, this navy hue felt timely for the Tiffany & Co. occasion. Bumgarner’s intentional choice of a fabric with shifting depth kept the look from feeling flat. It is a gown both feminine and modern, completely rooted in art history.
Completing the ensemble were high jewelry pieces from the Blue Book 2026 collection, inspired by the house’s legacy and Jean Schlumberger’s imaginative flora and fauna motifs. A striking necklace featuring vivid blue gemstones and diamonds sat prominently at Curtis’ neck, joined by coordinating earrings and a bold cocktail ring.
Finally, Anne Curtis carried a Jean Schlumberger clutch that pulled the story together. Her hair and minimal bronzy makeup kept the focus exactly where it belonged: on the Tiffany pieces and the beautiful woman wearing them.
Photos: MARK BUMGARNER (via Instagram)
