Additional Coverage:
Louisville, KY—Dannielynn Birkhead and her father, Larry, continued their annual Kentucky Derby tradition this weekend, making a stylish appearance at the Barnstable Brown Gala. This year’s appearance held special significance, as 18-year-old Dannielynn chose to wear a gown previously owned by her late mother, Anna Nicole Smith, who wore the same dress to the gala over two decades ago.
On the red carpet, Dannielynn shared with reporters that wearing her mother’s dress was “the closest to a hug I can get from her.” Larry Birkhead admitted to feeling emotional seeing his daughter in the black, open-backed gown, recalling that the last time he saw it was on Smith, whom he met at the very same gala in 2003.
He also mentioned that Dannielynn has always cherished the dress, recalling a time when she was a little girl and placed her hand on it. “Now that she’s actually old enough to wear it,” he remarked, “it just seems surreal that we’re at this moment.”
The father-daughter duo have been attending the Kentucky Derby festivities together since Dannielynn was three. Over the years, onlookers have delighted in watching Dannielynn grow up and noting her striking resemblance to her mother.
This isn’t the first time Dannielynn has honored her mother’s memory at the Derby. Last year, she wore a shirt featuring photos from Smith’s Guess campaign, a touching tribute that blended fashion with familial remembrance.