FX’s upcoming series American Love Story, created by Ryan Murphy, has sparked intense online backlash over its portrayal of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s iconic fashion. Known for her minimalist, effortless style, Bessette-Kennedy has become a near-religious figure in fashion circles—so when early images from the show surfaced, many felt the costumes fell short.
Fashion insiders, including Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele and Lauren Santo Domingo, publicly criticized the styling as inaccurate and uninspired. In response, Murphy gave a rare interview to Puck’s Lauren Sherman, defending his creative choices and promising authenticity.
He revealed that many early photos were from test shoots and assured viewers the show is sourcing exact designer pieces from Bessette-Kennedy’s wardrobe. Still, the debate raises bigger questions about memory, myth, and style.
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A Storm of Backlash Over Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s Portrayal
Social media has erupted with sharp criticism over the costume design in FX’s upcoming series American Love Story, which dramatizes the iconic and tragic romance between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Known for her quietly revolutionary minimalist style, Bessette-Kennedy has long been a fashion-world muse. The stakes were always going to be high—but few could have predicted just how passionate the backlash would be.
Fashion Insiders Condemn Early Visuals
The controversy ignited after @diet_prada posted a test shot featuring actors Sarah Pidgeon and Paul Kelly as Bessette-Kennedy and JFK Jr. Almost instantly, fashion insiders including Lauren Santo Domingo, Camille Cherrière, Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, and legendary stylist Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele voiced their disapproval.
The criticism focused on what many saw as lackluster, inaccurate reproductions of Bessette-Kennedy’s style. “Wrong!!! So bad…” wrote Cerf de Dudzeele—a sentiment that captured the prevailing mood.
Ryan Murphy Responds in Emergency Interview
In response to the uproar, creator Ryan Murphy sat down for a rare, unscheduled interview with journalist Lauren Sherman for Puck. He came prepared to address the fashion community’s concerns head-on.
Regarding the much-criticized Birkin bag in the test shot, Murphy clarified: “We just grabbed…a Birkin that was in our costume department for another show, just to sort of try.” He insisted it wasn’t meant to be final. As for the Converse sneakers spotted in early paparazzi photos from filming? “Not a mistake,” Murphy said firmly. “That scene was 1993/1994, before she was famous… I look at that picture and think, well, people are criticizing it—and they’re wrong, to be quite blunt.”
A Wardrobe of Precision and Intention
Murphy emphasized the meticulous work being done behind the scenes. He revealed that his team had sourced exact designer pieces once worn by Bessette-Kennedy, including a Yohji Yamamoto ruffled skirt from 1998, a Chanel Resort 1996 floral dress, and a Prada Fall 1996 camel blazer.
The correct Birkin—size 40, not 35—has also since been secured. “We’re spending a tremendous amount of time and money and effort to get her closet correct,” Murphy promised. An advisory board is reportedly guiding the wardrobe decisions.
Is the Backlash Part of the Process?
Prior to reading the Puck interview, it was tempting to see the entire debacle as a calculated PR move. After all, Murphy is no novice—he’s navigated internet ire before, from Glee to American Horror Story to The Assassination of Gianni Versace. In that case, Donatella Versace herself publicly objected to how her brother was portrayed. But this? This touches a different nerve.
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy: A Sacred Icon of Style
“Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy is sort of a religious figure in style circles,” Murphy admitted, while also conceding that he underestimated how intense the reaction would be. He draws a parallel to the scrutiny Bessette-Kennedy endured during her lifetime—one not unlike that faced by Princess Diana. Public pressure forged an image of effortless elegance, but it was always a constructed one.
There’s a strange symmetry, then, in the backlash to the show’s early visuals. Murphy recounted one comment about the Birkin bag: “That’s not the right purse. She wouldn’t hold it that way. She always had it open. The bottom was scuffed…” The detail-obsession is almost devotional. “I had no idea that people cared as much as they do,” Murphy said. “But I guess that’s a good thing.”
Why Do We Care So Much?
Perhaps the real question here isn’t whether Murphy got it right or wrong—but why we care so deeply in the first place. In the interview, Murphy turns the tables on Sherman: “You said that you felt troubled by the photograph. Why would you feel so bothered by that?”
Her answer: “Hollywood often gets the fashion industry very wrong.” And maybe that’s the heart of it. Style, especially in the age of digital nostalgia, is more than just clothing—it’s myth, identity, aspiration. Bessette-Kennedy wasn’t just fashionable. She was fashion. Authentic. Personal. Unreproducible.
In attempting to recreate her legacy, Murphy and his team are grappling with more than history—they’re up against reverence. And that may be the hardest costume of all to get right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there backlash over the costumes in American Love Story?
Early test shots and paparazzi photos from the set showed costumes that many fashion insiders and fans of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy felt failed to capture her iconic minimalist style. Critics said the wardrobe choices looked like cheap imitations rather than accurate recreations.
Who are some of the fashion figures who criticized the show?
Industry heavyweights such as Lauren Santo Domingo, Camille Cherrière, Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, and Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele were among those who publicly condemned the costume choices—many through comments and reposts on Instagram.
How did Ryan Murphy respond to the criticism?
Murphy gave an impromptu interview to Puck’s Lauren Sherman, where he defended his team’s choices, explained that the controversial Birkin bag was just a test prop, and emphasized that great care is being taken to faithfully reproduce Bessette-Kennedy’s wardrobe.
Were the Converse sneakers a mistake?
No. Murphy explained that the Converse worn in early filming photos represented a pre-fame era (1993/94) of Carolyn’s life and were based on real, albeit private, photos of her wearing similar shoes.
Is the show working with real designer pieces?
Yes. Murphy listed several authentic items his costume department has acquired, including a Yohji Yamamoto skirt from 1998, a Chanel Resort 1996 floral dress, and a vintage Prada blazer. The production has also sourced the correct Birkin bag size.
Who is the costume designer for the show?
The name of the costume designer has not yet been publicly released.
Is Ryan Murphy using this backlash as PR?
While some speculate the uproar may have generated helpful buzz, Murphy claims to have been surprised by the intensity of the response and insists that the team is deeply committed to accuracy and respect for Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s legac
Conclusion
The uproar surrounding American Love Story is more than just a fashion critique—it’s a cultural reckoning with how we remember, reconstruct, and revere public figures like Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. For many, she represents an ideal of authenticity and understated elegance, making any misstep in her portrayal feel deeply personal.
Ryan Murphy’s defense makes one thing clear: this isn’t a careless production. It’s a meticulous, high-stakes attempt to honor a legacy that has become almost mythic. But that level of devotion comes with risk. Every detail—a handbag, a hemline, a pair of sneakers—carries emotional weight.
