Ariana Madix Believes Brunettes Have More Fun, Especially in Vintage Versace

Amidst the endless stream of online content, one can occasionally discover true gems. For Ariana Madix, host of "Love Island" and alumna of "Vanderpump Rules," this discovery happened through TikTok, where she found the perfect vintage Versace dress for a significant event. The striking butter yellow gown, originally from the spring 2006 Versace menswear runway collection and previously worn by model Isabeli Fontana, was sourced through the rental platform Isle of Monday. With the assistance of her stylist, Emily Men, and a hopeful outlook for the fitting, the dress brought a wave of nostalgia to the "Love Island" Season 8 reunion stage.

"Someone online joked that this show is my personal Met Gala, and they're not entirely wrong," Madix chuckled. "For me, the fashion on 'Love Island' is a fantasy—it's a dream world where I can wear pieces that might not be practical for everyday life." Since arriving in Fiji for the US adaptation of the popular UK reality dating show in 2024, Madix has embraced fashion with a newfound depth compared to her previous public appearances.

Madix credits Lindsay Hubbard from "Summer House" for introducing her to stylist Emily Men. Initially, Madix believed individuals purchased their own outfits for every occasion, admitting, "I just didn't grasp how any of that worked." She explained, "It's not the same as just going online and ordering—which is what I was doing—and I think I was spending so much money that I didn't really have."

As style has become a central focus for the reality star, Madix now considers Men a close friend who encourages her to explore bolder fashion choices. "I spend a lot of time on my phone looking at clothes, and I'm a huge enthusiast of vintage fashion and fashion in general," she stated. "Often, I feel like I see such incredible looks that I don't necessarily have access to, so the fact that we were able to get our hands on this amazing Versace dress was remarkable—it's one I've had my eye on for quite some time."

During her time on the island, Madix's wardrobe has featured an array of high-fashion pieces, including a shimmering Area mini dress, a fluid Di Petsa cutout gown, an archival-inspired Jean Paul Gaultier polka dot ensemble, and her personal favorite: a custom fetish-inspired creation by Taylor Jean Cox, complete with a corset and a daring lace-up bumster detail. Madix feels her new brunette hair color enhanced the high-fashion aesthetic of these outfits. "I believe that with blonde hair, you're quite restricted in what you can wear without it starting to look, as the younger generation puts it, 'cheugy' or 'lame'," she commented. In contrast, the Versace dress, paired with her darker hair, "felt like a ray of sunshine, reflecting on the water."