At the prestigious Barnstable Brown Gala held before the Kentucky Derby, Dannielynn Birkhead, the 18-year-old daughter of the late Anna Nicole Smith, made an emotional tribute to her mother by wearing a stunning black gown once donned by Smith herself in 2004.
The dress, with its crystal-embellished straps and low back, was a sentimental choice for the young woman, who spoke candidly about the deep connection she feels to her late mother through fashion.
A Sentimental Choice to Wear Her Mother’s Dress
As the young woman posed for photos with her father, Larry Birkhead, Dannielynn explained why she gravitates toward her mother’s clothes, explaining that it’s a way for her to feel connected to Anna Nicole.
“This is the closest to a hug I can get from her,” she shared with Access Hollywood.
Her mother tragically passed away in 2007, leaving Dannielynn only with memories she cherishes deeply.
The emotional weight of wearing the same dress Smith once wore at the gala was evident as the teenager, with tears in her eyes, spoke about the dress’s significance.
A Special Moment for Father and Daughter
Larry Birkhead, who has raised Dannielynn since Anna Nicole’s passing, shared his emotional reaction to seeing his daughter wear the iconic dress.
“It was emotional because the last time I saw that dress was on Anna,” he told People.
Reflecting on the journey, Birkhead recalled how young Dannielynn once touched the dress as a child, not yet old enough to wear it.
Now, seeing her grow into a young woman who could fit into it was a surreal moment for him.
A Family Tradition at the Kentucky Derby
The Barnstable Brown Gala is not just a glamorous pre-Derby event; it holds significant personal meaning for the Birkhead family.
Birkhead and Smith met at the event in 2003, and ever since, he and Dannielynn have made it an annual tradition.
Over the years, they have shared countless memories, with Dannielynn attending her first Kentucky Derby when she was just three years old.
This year, she paid further homage to her late mother by wearing jewelry from Smith’s personal collection, showcasing her mother’s feather-trimmed fascinator and a pale green Mac Duggal dress at the Derby.
Reflections on Raising Dannielynn After Anna Nicole’s Death
As a father, Larry Birkhead has worked hard to ensure that his daughter grows up grounded and unaffected by the pressures of the celebrity world.
Speaking to DailyMail.com in a previous interview, he shared that he has always prioritized raising Dannielynn in a normal environment, making sure she attends public school and stays humble despite her family history.
“She is not one of these entitled celebrity kids,” Birkhead proudly said.
Dannielynn, who is on the honor roll and takes college-level classes, continues to honor both of her late parents in her own way.
Though she was too young to fully understand her mother’s fame or the tragic loss of her half-brother Daniel, she has embraced the stories of their lives that Birkhead has shared with her.
Through his nurturing care, he’s ensured that she never forgets the importance of family, despite the media scrutiny that has followed them.
A New Chapter in Fashion and Legacy
As Dannielynn grows, she’s beginning to explore her mother’s world through her fashion choices.
From the iconic gowns to the jewelry, she has begun to wear pieces that remind her of her late mother.
This process has been a meaningful way for her to start shaping her own identity, and Birkhead supports her curiosity, knowing that she’s finding her own path while honoring her mother’s legacy.
He’s even kept a collection of Smith’s clothes for Dannielynn, anticipating that she might want to wear them in the future.
It’s clear that the emotional journey of remembering Anna Nicole Smith through her clothing and memories is one that both Dannielynn and her father hold close to their hearts.
As she moves forward in life, she continues to celebrate the woman who gave her life and the legacy she left behind.