The Untold Secrets Of Drew Barrymore's Iconic 'Ever After' Winged Dress

Decades after its debut, the ethereal gown worn by Drew Barrymore in the 1998 film Ever After: A Cinderella Story remains one of the most beloved and discussed movie costumes of all time. This is not a story of a fairy godmother’s magic, but of Renaissance-era ingenuity and the vision of an Oscar-winning designer, creating a dress that perfectly embodies the film’s unique blend of historical fiction and feminist fairytale, a legacy that continues to make news as of today, December 15, 2025.

The dress, famously worn by Barrymore's character Danielle de Barbarac to the royal masked ball, is far more than just a beautiful gown; it is a symbol of self-discovery, intellectual freedom, and the enduring power of a woman who saves herself. Its design, rooted in 16th-century France and inspired by the era's greatest minds, elevates it beyond typical fairytale fare, cementing its status as an iconic piece of cinematic history.

Drew Barrymore: The Star Behind the Iconic Cinderella Story

Drew Barrymore, born February 22, 1975, is an American actress, producer, director, and talk show host. A member of the famous Barrymore family of actors, she achieved superstardom as a child in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982). Her career is marked by a successful transition from child star to a leading lady and powerhouse producer.

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• Full Name: Drew Blythe Barrymore
• Born: February 22, 1975 (Age 50 as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Culver City, California, U.S.
• Notable Films: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Poison Ivy (1992), Boys on the Side (1995), Scream (1996), The Wedding Singer (1998), Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998), Charlie's Angels (2000), 50 First Dates (2004).
• Current Endeavor: Host and executive producer of the daytime talk show, The Drew Barrymore Show (2020–present).
• Role in Ever After: Danielle de Barbarac, the spirited and intellectual protagonist.

5 Fascinating Secrets of the ‘Just Breathe’ Winged Gown

The ball gown, often referred to by fans as the "Just Breathe" dress—a nod to the phrase Danielle uses to calm herself—is arguably the most memorable costume in the entire film. Its creation was a masterclass in period costume design, blending historical elements with fantastical flair to suit the film's unique narrative.

1. Designed by an Academy Award-Winning Costume Legend

The visionary behind the dress is none other than Academy Award winner Jenny Beavan. Beavan is a legendary costume designer whose extensive credits include A Room with a View, Mad Max: Fury Road, and Cruella, earning her multiple Oscars. For Ever After, Beavan’s challenge was to create a "Cinderella" gown that fit the film's historical fiction setting—16th-century France—without any supernatural magic.

Beavan's designs for the film struck a perfect balance between fantasy and historical believability, drawing inspiration from the French Renaissance era. The costumes for the royal court, including those worn by Prince Henry, King Francis, and Queen Marie, were meticulously researched to reflect the period, making Danielle’s final look a powerful, yet grounded, statement.

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2. The Dress Is a Transformed Family Heirloom

A key plot point that grounds the dress in reality is that it is not a newly created garment, but a transformation of Danielle’s late mother’s wedding dress. This detail adds immense sentimental value, symbolizing Danielle's connection to her past and her inherent nobility, which her evil stepmother, Rodmilla, and stepsister, Marguerite, try to strip away. The transformation from a simple wedding dress to a high-waisted, Renaissance-style ball gown for the masked ball is the film's non-magical equivalent of a fairytale makeover.

3. The Iconic Wings Were Structurally Supported by a Corset

The dress's most distinctive feature is the pair of sheer, delicate "wings" attached to the back, which flutter as Danielle moves. This design choice is often cited as the reason the dress is so iconic, visually representing Danielle's free spirit and her role as the "angel" of the story. To support the weight and structure of these wings, a specially designed corset was worn underneath the gown. This internal structure was crucial, allowing the high-waisted gown to maintain its elegant, period-appropriate silhouette while carrying the weight of the fantastical wings.

4. The Connection to Leonardo da Vinci’s Ingenuity

The film replaces the traditional "fairy godmother" with the historical figure Leonardo da Vinci, played by Patrick Godfrey. Da Vinci, who was a guest of King Francis in 16th-century France, acts as Danielle's philosophical mentor and moral guide. His presence is the non-magical source of "miracles" in the story.

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While the film doesn't explicitly state that Da Vinci designed the dress, the winged element is a clear nod to his lifelong fascination with flight and his famous designs for flying machines. The dress, therefore, becomes a symbol of Renaissance innovation and the power of human ingenuity—a perfect fit for a "Cinderella" who is as intellectual as she is kind.

5. The Gown Was Put Up for Auction and Its Current Location is a Mystery

In recent years, the enduring legacy of the dress has been highlighted by the news that the iconic costume was put up for auction. The opportunity to own such a recognizable piece of cinematic history generated significant buzz among collectors and fans of period dramas.

Adding to the intrigue, Drew Barrymore herself has publicly admitted that she does not know the current whereabouts of the original ball gown. While the dress has been featured in costume exhibitions, its exact location remains a fascinating mystery for film and fashion enthusiasts, ensuring the conversation around this iconic piece continues to thrive.

The Enduring Legacy of Danielle’s Costume Design

The overall costume design in Ever After, particularly the journey of Danielle's wardrobe, brilliantly reflects her character arc. Her initial outfits—simple, practical peasant dresses—establish her as a working woman of the era, in stark contrast to the elaborate, often restrictive gowns worn by her stepfamily. The costumes of Rodmilla and Marguerite, with their rich fabrics and complex silhouettes, represent the superficiality and moral decay of their characters, while Danielle's younger stepsister, Jacqueline, wears softer, less ostentatious clothing, reflecting her eventual moral alignment with Danielle.

The winged dress is the final, triumphant statement in this visual narrative. It is a costume of power and grace, allowing Danielle to enter the royal court not as a magically transformed princess, but as a woman of substance, wearing a garment that honors her past and symbolizes her future. This non-magical, grounded approach to the fairytale has made Ever After a timeless classic and its winged gown a legendary piece of costume design.