Dannielynn Birkhead, 18, Calls Wearing Mom Anna Nicole Smith’s Iconic Backless Dress the ‘Closest to a Hug I Can Get’

Dannielynn Birkhead is feeling close to her late mother Anna Nicole Smith through fashion.

While attending the annual Barnstable Brown Gala Friday, May 2 ahead of Saturday’s 2025 Kentucky Derby, the 18-year-old daughter of the model and Larry Birkhead told reporters that this year’s gown held a special meaning. 

“This is the closest to a hug I can get from her,” Dannielynn told a reporter as she walked the red carpet. 

Birkhead shared a special father-daughter image of himself and Dannielyn posing at the event. In the Instagram caption, he explained the sentimental meaning of Dannielyn’s attire.

“Dannielynn is wearing Anna Nicole’s dress that she wore 21 years ago to this same event. Life full circle. She said she chose the dress because it was her Mom’s and ‘super cool,’ ” he wrote.

The floor-length black gown featured a halter neck and a relaxed fit. Just above the knee was a split, letting the dress flow as the teen walked.

Several dazzling pieces of blinged-out material were featured on the front and back of the ensemble.

Dannielynn showed all the angles, which served as a nod to how her mother wore the piece just over two decades ago. 

Continuing to channel her mother, who died in February 2007 of an accidental drug overdose when Dannielynn was just 5 months old, Dannielynn wore her blonde hair in the same pinned-up style. 

“It was emotional because the last time I saw that dress was on Anna,” Birkhead, 52, told PEOPLE at the gala on Friday.

He and the late actress met at the Barnstable Gala in 2003.

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When Dannielynn was just 3 years old, she made her Kentucky Derby debut with her father.

Ever since then, they have turned it into an annual tradition.

Birkhead told PEOPLE that when Dannielynn “was a little girl, she walked over and she put her hand on the dress.” 

He added, “And now that she’s actually old enough to wear it, it just seems surreal that we’re at this moment.”