Dannielynn Birkhead’s 2025 Kentucky Derby fashion choices were extra special this year. Each year, the 18-year-old and her dad, Larry Birkhead, enjoy Derby weekend together. This time, Dannielynn chose to honor her late mom, Anna Nicole Smith, by wearing some of her clothes and accessories.
Dannielynn wore Anna Nicole’s dress to the Barnstable-Brown Gala.
In 2004, Anna Nicole Smith attended the exact same event in an open-back black dress that’s embellished with crystals. This year, her daughter Dannielynn chose to wear the same dress to the event — and even sported a messy updo, just like her mom did. Sharing a photo of the meaningful outfit on Instagram, Dannielynn’s dad said “she chose the dress because it was her Mom’s.” He added that his daughter described it as “super cool.”
The following day, she wore her mom’s jewelry.
For Saturday’s race, Dannielynn chose a light blue off-the-shoulder Mac Duggal dress. She accessorized with jewelry from Anna Nicole’s collection, according to her dad. “We are recovering from a rockin’ good time at last nights Barnstable-Brown Gala,” Larry wrote on Instagram. “Now, off to the races with Dannielynn!”
Dannielynn told People that it was the first time she’s worn the accessories.
Previously, Larry spoke about how Dannielynn learns more about her mom.
In 2012, while on Good Morning America, he said, “Dannielynn has always looked up to her mom’s image and … I think that this is kind of Dannielynn’s way of paying tribute to her mom in her own special way.” He previously said that Dannielynn looks through her mom’s clothes sometimes.
“Everything she has of her mom’s is cataloged in storage, with photos of the event where she wore it,” he said previously. “So someday, she can give them to her kids if she wants to.”
In September 2024, Dannielynn celebrated her 18th birthday.
She enjoyed a Beetlejuice-themed celebration with friends and family. On Instagram, her dad wrote, “Happy 18th Birthday Dannielynn! You are my entire heart. I love you more than I can ever express. May you continue on your journey being ‘humble and kind’ and spread the love that you were given to many others. I am beyond proud of you.”
