The glittering world of the Eras tour was briefly infiltrated by the goth aesthetic last night, as Taylor Swift called on an old friend to help her close out a record-breaking run of sold-out shows at Wembley Stadium. The superstar was joined on stage by Florence Welch for the first live performance of their track “Florida!!!”, with the British singer’s floaty, lace-trimmed dress providing a ghostly counterpoint to all the Swiftian kitsch: a spectre at the sequin-spangled feast. Welch, a disciple of Alessandro Michele’s Gucci who sources 1930s dresses and antique lace blouses from Turner Vintage, wafted around the stage in a custom gown by Del Core, a youngish brand that has already acquired an A-list following (Florence Pugh, Amal Clooney, Priyanka Chopra) just four years after it launched.
The billowing, ethereal silhouette and black lace accents were textbook Florence – and about as far as it’s possible to get from a matching pleated mini and crop top, or a crystal-encrusted Christian Louboutin boot. (Flo prefers to go barefoot.) Of course, there is a clear tinge of Victoriana to the aesthetic around The Tortured Poets Department , the album “Florida!!!” appears on, but Taylor’s own voluminous Vivienne Westwood gown – while it matches the drama of the tracks – has everything to do with her TTPD world-building and nothing to do with capital “F” Fashion.
Last night’s gig was the final stop on the European leg of the Eras tour. Swift will next perf.