Dannielynn Birkhead, the 18-year-old daughter of the late model Anna Nicole Smith, paid tribute to her mother during the 2023 Barnstable Brown Gala. She stepped into the same stunning gown that her mother had slipped on 21 years before. That emotional decision, more than anything else, displayed the incredible connection between mother and daughter. Dannielynn wore her hair in a messy updo, a nod to Anna Nicole’s signature hairstyle.
The gala, held each year in Dannielynn’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, has become a yearly homecoming and family tradition for both Dannielynn and her dad, Larry Birkhead. That’s the past 15 years, and the next economic and infrastructure boom — if you ask any of them, that is. We all know that the first party is for Anna Nicole’s memory. In the past, with her gowns, each time one to celebrate her mother’s legacy and now into her emerging style on her own.
Larry Birkhead posted adorable photos of his daughter from the gala on Instagram. The photos were very moving and they really showcased how much Dannielynn looked like her mother. In the final post he shared about this dream, he said, “She is wearing Anna Nicole’s dress—same exact event. That was 21 years ago. Life goes around in circles. The photos received thousands of comments from fans across the world, many of whom couldn’t believe how much he looked like his father.
“You both look amazing!!! At first glance, I saw Anna and thought it was a very old pic. Wow, does Dannielynn look like her Mother.” – a commenter
This year, we also honored Anna Nicole Smith in a very special way. Last year’s gala also featured a special fashion moment for Dannielynn. This year, she wore an elegant black dress. This eye-catching outfit used to be music superstar Janet Jackson’s and was purchased at a charitable auction. This vibrant mix of fashion history is a window on Dannielynn’s stylistic sensibility and her ties to the greats in pop culture.
There’s more than fabric to Dannielynn’s gown. It represents her link to her mother’s history and honors the duality of their legacies. Dannielynn leans into the nostalgia factor, opting to wear the same gown that her late mother, Anna Nicole Smith, wore at the 2004 Barnstable Brown Gala. Her decision reflects her irrepressibly youthful creative energy.
