The 22-year-old model graced the 2019 Met Gala in New York on Monday wearing a powder pink Alexander Wang gown with an exposed thong in the back.
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And the X-Files star, 50, tweeted a photo of herself from the 2001 Oscars rocking the visible underwear look with the caption: 'Another example of necessity being the mother of invention.'
For her turn down the red carpet, Gillian donned a navy blue gown with a very similar open back as Hailey's formfitting couture.
Perhaps the 'necessity being the mother of invention' referred to the need for undergarment, even if exposed, thus creating a new fashion look.
And both women wore the look with aplomb.
Fans of Gillian's flooded her Twitter acccount with praise for the nod to Hailey.
'Wow, what a compliment!,' wrote one social media user.
'We need you at next year's Gala,' gushed another. 'YOU WERE SO AHEAD OF YOUR TIME! A FASHION ICON! A LEGEND!
The 2001 Oscars not only saw Gillian rise as a style icon, but also the celebration of such iconic films as Gladiator, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Traffic.
And the 2019 Met Gala found Hailey in the spotlight as her style encapsulated the theme of the annual soiree which was dedicated to the idea of 'camp,' as defined by Susan Sontag's 1964 essay Notes on 'Camp.'
Reality TV personality Kim Kardashian, rapper Cardi B, singer Katy Perry and Oscar-winning super star Lady Gaga were among those competing to be the night's queen of 'camp' with dramatic entrances and over-the-top ensembles.
Kim draped her famous figure in an eye-popping corset, Cardi B arrived wearing a giant duvet while Katy transformed herself into a living chandelier and Lady Gaga performed a four-outfit strip tease.
