Billie Lourd Honors Carrie Fisher in Princess Leia-Inspired Tom Ford Dress

Photo: Courtesy of Meredith Jenks
Photo: Courtesy of Meredith Jenks

In her first public appearance since her mother Carrie Fisher‘s death in December 2016, Billie Lourd honored Fisher with a simple white dress — fit for a princess — at the Star Wars Celebration in Orlando.

The 24-year-old actress’s custom Cady Tom Ford minidress, which featured a mock turtleneck with kimono sleeves and keyhole back detail that she paired with white padlock naked strap sandals, paid homage to her mother’s iconic character, Princess Leia, from the Star Wars film series. Lourd shared an image of herself posing in the Princess Leia-inspired dress she created with Ford, and attached a poignant caption.

“Feeling the ultimate strength of the force from all of the incredible fans at #starwarscelebration after our tribute to my #momby,” she wrote.

At the event, Lourd shared a few remarks about what the famous role meant to her mother. “My mom used to say she never knew where Princess Leia ended and Carrie Fisher began,” Lourd said. “She was imperfect in many ways, but her imperfections and willingness to speak about them are what made her more than perfect. My mom, like Leia, wasn’t ever afraid to speak her mind and say things that might have made most people uncomfortable.”

Her mother, she added, was a “strong soldier of a woman” who wasn’t afraid to show “the vulnerable, real side of her, who often openly fought her own dark side, knowing early on that we all have a dark side to fight, whatever it may be. But she knew that it wasn’t about the fight you were fighting, but how you fought it — the way you resisted.”

Billie Lourd’s Tom Ford dress was inspired by Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia look. (Photo: Everett Collection)
Billie Lourd’s Tom Ford dress was inspired by Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia look. (Photo: Everett Collection)

Lourd also mentioned an important lesson that her mother taught her. “She taught me by her own example, that the most evolved person is seemingly a contradiction — they are both the strongest and the most vulnerable person in the room. And that was her. That is Leia.”

Her fans took made comments on her Instagram post to praise her for her touching words at the event, and for her Star Wars-inspired ensemble.

“Love the dress. Momby would be so proud,” one fan wrote. “This dress is no coincidence I’m sure. The force is strong with you and your family. You are unbelievably strong. Sending much love to you from Brazil,” another added.

This isn’t the first time the actress has honored her mother through her style. On the hit Fox television show Scream Queens, Lourd’s character, Chanel No. 3, often wears earmuffs.

Billie Lourd’s character on <em>Scream Queens</em> often wears earmuffs. (Photo: Everett Collection)
Billie Lourd’s character on Scream Queens often wears earmuffs. (Photo: Everett Collection)

During an appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers, Lourd shared that the unique accessory actually has meaning to it. “They are a little bit of a Princess Leia homage,” Lourd told the host. “It’s kind of a family tradition.”

Since her mother and grandmother’s deaths in December of last year, Lourd has mostly stayed out of the spotlight. She did thank her fans and friends for their support in January in an Instagram post.

“Receiving all of your prayers and kind words over the past week has given me strength during a time I thought strength could not exist. There are no words to express how much I will miss my Abadaba and my one and only Momby. Your love and support means the world to me,” she wrote.

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