Dannielynn Birkhead, the 18-year-old daughter of the late Anna Nicole Smith, recently revealed a deeply personal reason behind her choice of attire at the Kentucky Derby’s Barnstable Brown Gala.
During the event, she wore a striking black gown that her mother had worn to the same gala back in 2004, sharing a moment of sentimental reflection.
A Special Tribute at the Barnstable Brown Gala
The teenager, accompanied by her father Larry Birkhead, posed for photos in the gown, which featured crystal-embellished straps and a low back.
In an emotional moment at the event, Dannielynn explained why she enjoys wearing her late mother’s clothes.
“This is the closest to a hug I can get from her,” she shared, choking up as she spoke about the meaning behind the dress.
Her mother passed away when Dannielynn was just five months old, making moments like these even more poignant.
As Dannielynn walked the red carpet, the connection between mother and daughter was clear, with the young woman cherishing these items as her way of staying close to the mother she never truly got to know.
A Father’s Emotional Reaction
Larry Birkhead, who had a personal connection to the dress and the moment, shared his thoughts on Instagram.
Posting a photo from the event, he reflected, “Dannielynn is wearing Anna Nicole’s dress that she wore 21 years ago to this same event. Life full circle.”
He went on to explain that Dannielynn chose the dress because it was her mother’s and because she thought it was “super cool.”
He also noted that his daughter channeled her mother’s iconic style by styling her hair in a similar bouncy updo with loose tendrils framing her face.
For Birkhead, seeing his daughter in the dress was an emotional experience.
He recalled how, when Dannielynn was a little girl, she had shown an interest in her mother’s clothes, even placing her hand on the very dress her daughter would eventually wear.
“Now that she’s actually old enough to wear it, it just seems surreal,” he said.
Continuing the Family Tradition
The Barnstable Brown Gala has been a long-standing tradition for Birkhead and Dannielynn.
The father-daughter duo has attended the event together for years, with Dannielynn making a heartfelt tribute to her late mother by wearing one of Anna Nicole’s dresses last year.
At this year’s event, Dannielynn’s fashion choices were a continuation of her mother’s legacy.
She also wore jewelry that once belonged to Anna Nicole, including a gold pendant necklace, a gold watch, and a stack of bangles, completing the ensemble with a feather-trimmed fascinator.
Birkhead took to Instagram to note the sentimental value of the pieces, sharing, “Jewelry: Anna Nicole archive.”
He humorously mentioned how his daughter had insisted he get a makeover, joking, “She made me cut my hair because she said I looked like a low-rent Keith Urban!”
A Look into Dannielynn’s Life
As Dannielynn grows older, she continues to explore her connection with her mother’s legacy, both through fashion and through stories shared by her father.
Birkhead has also begun to store his late partner’s clothing for Dannielynn in case she wants to wear them in the future.
He expressed how meaningful it is that his daughter is starting to explore her mother’s world, especially the fashion she once wore.
“Dannielynn could literally pick out an outfit a day for the rest of her life and never wear the same thing twice,” Birkhead said, proud of his daughter’s curiosity about her mother’s iconic wardrobe.
More Than Just Fashion
In addition to her passion for fashion, Dannielynn has embraced academics and personal growth.
Despite being the daughter of a well-known model, Birkhead has made sure to keep her grounded.
He shared that Dannielynn is a dedicated student, on the honor roll, and even taking college-level classes.
“Anna would be very, very proud of her,” he said. “I know I am.”
Looking to the future, Birkhead also acknowledged that while many wonder if Dannielynn will follow in her mother’s footsteps in the world of modeling or acting, he has never pushed her in that direction.
“She’s just being a kid,” he said, though he did mention that she had surprised him by taking an acting class recently, where she gave a standout performance.
As Dannielynn continues to navigate life, she is not only keeping her mother’s memory alive through fashion but also carving her own path, with a strong foundation of love and support from her father.