Olivia Rodrigo bought Meg White’s dress from the Elephant cover
Sometimes, the most legendary connections in music aren’t found in chart positions or studio sessions, but in unexpected threads of personal history and high fashion. For Olivia Rodrigo, one such connection shines brightly in her relationship with the iconic duo of Jack White and Meg White, and the extraordinary journey of a very specific dress.
Rodrigo has publicly celebrated Jack White as her hero of all heroes, reflecting a deep admiration that extends beyond musical appreciation. This bond is further solidified by the fact that White and Stvincent reportedly offered her advice regarding the creation of her new album, illustrating a mentorship that seems to weave through the history of rock.
But the story doesn’t stop at musical guidance. A deeper, more tangible connection exists through an item of clothing that ties Rodrigo directly to the band’s iconic visual history. She discovered that the dress she now owns is the very garment that Meg White wore on the cover of the band’s seminal 2003 album, Elephant.
The connection, however, was not casual. Rodrigo invested an exorbitant amount of money to acquire the dress. It was a piece steeped in history, and its value only escalated when it hit the auction block. The dress sold for $25,600 USD, five times the original estimate, highlighting its undeniable status as a coveted piece of music history.
The origins of this unique item trace back to the inner circle of the White family. The dress was sold by Tracee Mae Miller, a friend of Jack and Meg White. Miller, who is associated with the alt-country band Blanche, had a long-standing connection with Meg White. During the early 2000s, Miller and Meg would often style themselves using items from their own closets, and Miller even loaned Meg the dress for the Elephant cover.
The dress itself is a study in vintage glamor and classic rock influence. It features a slight sweetheart neckline, ruffles at the empire waistline, bishop sleeves that taper at the wrist with a zipper detail, and a flowing, floor-length maxi skirt with a tiered design and ruffle at the hem. The listing noted that the bodice was tailored by Miller’s mother, adding another layer of fascinating history to this glamorous piece.
Though Rodrigo considered wearing the dress at a major summer festival, the heat proved too much. She joked that she might save it for the winter, suggesting a cooler climate might make the exquisite garment more wearable. It is a testament to how fashion and music can intertwine, turning a historical artifact into a celebrated personal memory.