Lauren Sánchez’s Dolce & Gabbana Wedding Gown Reveals a Surprising Sophia Loren Twist
VENICE, Italy — When Lauren Sánchez, 55, stepped onto the island of San Giorgio Maggiore on June 27 to marry Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, 61, she shattered expectations with a wedding gown that whispered old Hollywood romance rather than modern minimalism. The custom Dolce & Gabbana masterpiece—a high-necked lace turtleneck with 180 silk chiffon-covered buttons and a dramatic mermaid train—paid direct homage to Sophia Loren’s iconic look in the 1958 film Houseboat.
Tierney Gearon/Vogue
The Dress: A 1950s Dream Reborn
Sanchez’s gown, hand-appliquéd with Italian lace florals and featuring long sleeves, was a radical departure from her usual body-hugging red-carpet style. As she told Vogue: “It went from ‘I want a simple, sexy modern dress’ to ‘I want something that evokes a moment.’” The shift crystallized after her 2023 Blue Origin space flight, which she called “visually and spiritually transformative”. Designer Domenico Dolce revealed the 18-month collaboration began over dinner in New York, where he asked Sánchez: “Tell me what you dream”.
Table: Key Details of Sánchez’s Wedding Attire
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Main Gown | Dolce & Gabbana lace turtleneck, 180 priest buttons, mermaid train |
| Veil | Tulle-and-lace, Loren-inspired |
| Earrings | Dolce & Gabbana Alta Gioielleria Miracolo (“something borrowed”) |
| After-Party Look | Oscar de la Renta crystal dress (175,000 hand-sewn crystals) |
Symbolism & Sentiment
The gown’s modesty stunned guests accustomed to Sánchez’s bold fashion choices. “It is a departure from what people expect—but it’s very much me,” she emphasized. Her “something blue” was a secret souvenir from her space flight—a nod to Blue Origin’s role in her personal evolution. The Dolce & Gabbana choice also honored family: Her son Nikko Gonzalez modeled for the brand, and Sánchez front-rowed his Milan runway debut in 2024.
Bezos, who wore a classic black Dolce tuxedo, had begged to see the dress pre-ceremony. Sánchez admitted: “I almost gave in! But as you get older, surprises are rare. I couldn’t wait to see his face”.
Venice: Drama On and Off the Aisle
The wedding’s Italian backdrop faced real-world tensions. Protesters under banners reading “No Space For Bezos” threatened canal blockades, criticizing the event’s scale amid Venice’s fragile ecosystem. In response, the couple donated €1 million to lagoon conservation and sourced 80% of provisions—from Murano glass favors to Rosa Salva pastries—locally.
Despite a thunderstorm disrupting Thursday’s welcome dinner (where Sánchez wore a $100,000 Schiaparelli bugle-bead corset), Friday’s ceremony proceeded under sunlit skies. Matteo Bocelli sang Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” as Sánchez’s sons escorted her down the aisle.
The Celebrity Equation
Roughly 200 guests—including Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian in vintage Versace, and Queen Rania of Jordan—watched Sánchez exchange vows. Kardashian accessorized with Moussaieff diamonds, while Kris Jenner opted for Valentino noir. The wedding cost an estimated $20 million, though Bezos’s $231 billion net worth absorbed it effortlessly .
Why This Gown Matters
Sanchez’s choice reflects a broader trend of brides embracing narrative-driven fashion over trends. As Dolce noted: “She dreamed of timeless elegance, not bling”. The gown’s vintage resonance—paired with Sánchez’s Instagram rename to @laurensanchezbezos—cements her reinvention from TV journalist to symbol of audacious second acts.