Sara Blakely's Patents Adorn Couture Gala Gown

Sara Blakely, the celebrated businesswoman behind Spanx, recently showcased a remarkable custom gown at the National Inventors Hall of Fame gala. The dress was a wearable testament to her inventive spirit, adorned with illustrations of every patent she had applied for. This included the foundational patents for her revolutionary undergarment company, Spanx, and her more recent footwear brand, Sneex.

Blakely shared the reveal of the unique dress in a video post on May 12, 2026. The video captured enthusiastic reactions from her husband, Jesse Itzler, friends, and other entrepreneurs who were captivated by the design. Many expressed awe, with some calling the dress "genius" and "the most beautiful dress I have ever seen."

The entrepreneur decided to wear her patents as a literal representation of the journey that led her to be inducted. She collaborated with the fashion house @annebarge to bring her vision to life. The gown, hanging beside pairs of Spanx on her bed, symbolized the connection between her earliest invention and her latest creations.

Launched in 2000, Spanx revolutionized the undergarment industry, leading to Blakely being recognized as the world's youngest self-made female billionaire by Forbes in 2012. She later sold a majority stake in the company in 2021, but continues to innovate with ventures like Sneex, launched in August 2024.