Earlier this week, Anna “Delvey” Sorokin appeared in court for the beginning of her trial. The 28-year-old, who posed as a German heiress in New York City, is being charged with 10 charges of grand larceny and theft. Her story first went viral after a New York Magazine interview with one of the “friends” Sorokin scammed was published; Shonda Rhimes is set to create a Netflix project about the grifter.
The SoHo Scammer, as she’s come to be known as, looked...nice?...when she walked into the courtroom. Some observers said her outfit imitated some of Ariana Grande’s recent looks: She wore a cleavage-baring little black dress, a simple (yet undeniably chic) choker and oversized eyeglasses. The get-up was certainly not something you’d normally see coming out of the notoriously brutal Rikers Island (which she claims is “not that bad, actually” and considers a “sociological experiment”) and a far cry from how she looked at her sentencing.
The outfit went viral -- people had to give the girl credit for sticking to her brand amid being in literal prison. An Instagram account dedicated to her outfits exists now, so at least we’re finding the humor in this.
Turns out, the look is the work of Anastasia Walker, a stylist from New York City who’s been hired to dress Sorokin for court. She couldn’t divulge the details of their working relationship, but confirmed she’s getting paid.
By who?!
In the past, 30-year-old Walker has styled the likes of T-Pain, Courtney Love and G-Eazy, and she told Buzzfeed News that she chats on the phone with Sorokin to discuss fashion plans.
“I think we’ll have a long-standing relationship as far as it allows,” she said.
Is anyone else so confused? Not only is it wild in and of itself that Sorokin is literally getting styled for court -- props to committing to the character she’s created for herself, I guess -- but how is Walker OK with being involved in this capacity?
“People are people. I have a good reputation. That doesn’t bother me,” she said. “It’s funny.”
Got it.
“I will say obviously there are challenges to styling someone who’s currently incarcerated -- there’s a lot imitations to what you can and cannot wear in court,” Walker added. Note: Apparently deep V-cuts are fine.
Since that first dress (Michael Kors) and glasses (Céline) look, Sorokin has worn a H&M sweater, Yves Saint Laurent blouse and Victoria Beckham pants, according to the Instagram account. Courtroom or Fashion Week?
Her lawyer, Todd Spodek, told GQ, “It is imperative that Anna dress appropriately for the trial. Anna’s style was a driving force in her business and life, and it is a part of who she is. I want the jury to see that side of her.”
But, like...her style was bought with money...she scammed banks out of. I’m no lawyer, but I don’t know about this one, Spodek.