Moulin Rouge fashion: 4 iconic looks that continue to inspire style 25 years later

Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor in a still from Moulin Rouge! Pics courtesy/YouTube, Wikimedia Commons, @moulinrouge.fr

There is a certain charm to films set in a particular time period, from The Great Gatsby to Gentlemen Prefer Blondes - the bedazzled outfits, glamorous hairstyles and effortlessly classy menswear. As Coco Chanel famously said, "Fashion fades, only style remains the same." Few films have embraced this idea quite like Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge! (2001).

Divya Sacheti

Released internationally in September 2001, the musical romance transformed the Parisian cabaret into a world of maximalist and extravagant fashion. Twenty-five years on, its bold aesthetic still continues to influence contemporary dressing, from dramatic corsetry and embellishment to theatrical silhouettes. Stylist Divya Sacheti revisits four standout looks from the film that still inspire fashion today.

Femme Chic

The Satine effect

Few cinematic dresses have achieved the cult status of Satine's red satin gown from Moulin Rouge! (2001). Worn by Nicole Kidman as Satine during the dramatic El Tango de Roxanne sequence, the gown captured Baz Luhrmann's theatrical Parisian glamour.

Designed by Catherine Martin and Angus Strathie, it featured liquid satin, sculpted corsetry, a plunging neckline and sweeping length. After half a decade, these elements continue to appear in fashion, from red-carpet gowns to evening wear. "The drama of a fitted red dress can still work beautifully today when it is balanced with cleaner lines, pared-back jewellery and understated accessories," explains stylist Divya Sacheti.

Burlesque bling

Is it truly fancy if it does not have bling? The crystal-covered showgirl bodysuit costume, worn by Nicole Kidman as Satine, adds a flamboyant touch to the film's cabaret aesthetic. The look features a structured corset, delicate noodle-like straps, a plunging sweetheart neckline and high-cut legs, with black-and-silver embellishment and cascading fringe adding movement.

Sheer fishnet stockings complete the fitted, lingerie-inspired silhouette, while the shine of the crystals catch the light with every movement. "It is the combination of sparkle, fringe and lingerie-inspired cuts that gives this costume its unmistakable burlesque glamour," adds Sacheti. Decades later, Kendall Jenner wore the exact fit at Vogue World: Hollywood in 2025.

Male Domain

Dancing with the devil

It's not Moulin Rouge! fashion if we skip the villain protagonist, the Duke of Monroth, played by Richard Roxburgh. His look blends classic tailoring with cabaret glamour and theatrical masculinity. A richly embroidered black velvet jacket, deep burgundy shirt and high-waisted trousers create a decadent, sensual silhouette.

The velvet adds depth, while the ornate embroidery brings a flamboyant quality. The rich burgundy breaks up the darkness without taking away from its intensity. "The dark textures, rich colour and structured tailoring come together to make the Duke's look seductive, confident and deliberately extravagant," Sacheti points out.

The Victorian fits

With its long black tailcoat, open-neck white shirt and structured waistcoat, Christian's look in Moulin Rouge! gives menswear a romantic, theatrical edge. Played by Ewan McGregor, Christian wears the ensemble when he is mistaken for the wealthy Duke at the Moulin Rouge.

Pointed boots complete the sharp silhouette. The look is defined by longline tailoring, structured layers and statement details. "The appeal lies in taking those elements - the longline jacket, waistcoat and statement details and reinterpreting them rather than simply recreating a period costume," says Sacheti.