Barbra Streisand’s appreciation for art and eye for fashion inspired the creation of another masterpiece by Ray Aghayan in 1984. Streisand approached Aghayan with the idea of designing a gown as an homage to the 1907 Gustav Klimt painting, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, (also known as The Woman in Gold). The end result was an exquisite gold gown which Streisand wore on December 3, 1984, when she accepted the Scopus Laureate Award. When asked about this gown after the event, Aghayan noted, “It’s not just a dress-it’s a piece of art.”
Streisand first worked with Ray Aghayan (1928-2011) back in 1963 when he and his partner Bob Mackie designed the outfits for the “Hooray For Love” Medley on The Judy Garland Show. They would collaborate again in 1975 when designing costumes for Funny Lady. Reflecting on their partnership at the time, Aghayan remarked, “We’re working well together. She’s like most women. She knows what is best for her.”
When creating Barbra’s design, Aghayan studied Klimt’s artwork from various books, seeking inspiration. In The Lady in Gold, Adele Bloch-Bauer’s gown incorporated Byzantine-inspired motifs such as eyes, eggs, and triangles resembling the Eye of Providence. These elements are often interpreted by art historians as references to her intimate relationship with Klimt. Aghayan brought them off the canvas and into life by embroidering them onto gold lamé with five shades of gold beads, pale transparent sequins, and faceted jewels. The finished look exuded as much gold glamour as the one in the painting.
The gown’s bodice and sleeves were trimmed with bugle beads and sequins arranged in a geometric box-like pattern, while the back panel extended into a dramatic train reminiscent of Edwardian-era fashion the year the painting was created. The design also featured an invisible zipper with a hook-and-eye closure. Streisand completed the look with a simple gold bracelet and an antique René Lalique collier de chien choker with an openwork floral motif, inspired by the necklace worn by Adele Bloch-Bauer in Klimt’s portraits. The gown most recently sold at auction at 1stDibs for $47,750.
Fun Facts:
At the 2026 Met Gala, the theme was “Costume Art”. Gracie Abrams wore a similar gown, also inspired by this painting. It was designed by Matthieu Blazy and the house of Chanel. Read more about it here!
The Neue Galerie notes, “Adele Bloch-Bauer is bedecked in precious jewelry, including a diamond choker, which had been a wedding present from her husband Ferdinand. (When the Nazis seized the Bloch-Bauer collection, this stunning necklace ended up in the possession of notorious Nazi leader Hermann Göring.)”
Barbra has reworn the same gold bracelet as the one she wore to the 1984 Scopus Awards numerous times since, including on the cover of A Collection: Greatest Hits…And More (1989), and on stage during her 2006 Streisand Live tour.
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