What Was Taylor Swift Trying to Tell Us With Her Stunning Schiaparelli Gown at Grammys?

Among the final arrivals at the 2024 Grammys, Taylor Swift instantly sent social media into overdrive with her red-carpet look — before revving them up even further from the Grammy stage later in the evening.

Many on X (formerly Twitter) quickly picked up on a conversation between Swift and her longtime publicist, Tree Paine, on the star-studded Grammy red carpet.

“Do you need to set my watch?” Swift asked on the red carpet.

Paine replied, “Nope, it’s already perfect. Midnight.”

The reference, of course, is to Midnights, Swift’s 2022 studio album, nominated at the Grammys for both best pop vocal album and album of the year — and the watch wasn’t on the megastar’s wrist, but around her neck. Jeweler Lorraine Schwartz provided Swift with more than 300 carats of diamonds, including a choker in black and white diamonds, with a vintage watch at its center.

The jewels paired perfectly with Swift’s dramatic gown, a custom look by Daniel Roseberry for Schiaparelli. The beautifully draped dress with corset lacing was evocative of a design Roseberry crafted for the house’s Fall 2023 ready-to-wear collection. Roseberry altered the design for Swift, adding a high leg slit and a long, dramatic train.

Swift and her longtime stylist, Joseph Cassell, finished the look with black opera-length gloves and black slingback sandals. That black-and-white combo, meanwhile, likewise caused a flurry of comments on social media, with several Swifties convinced that the look was meant to send signals about the imminent release of her expected upcoming album, reputation (Taylor’s Version), which thus far has been hinted at via the use of — wait for it — a black-and-white photograph.

Swift then won the award for best pop vocal album for Midnights later on Sunday night, marking her 13th Grammy. While accepting her trophy, the artist indeed called out “the passion of the fans” and, after a dramatic pause, offered a stunning announcement: “My brand-new album comes out April 19; it’s called The Tortured Poets Department,” she said onstage. “I’m gonna go and post the cover right now backstage.”

Scroll on for more photos of Taylor Swift in her dramatic Schiaparelli gown at the 2024 Grammys: