At the Allen & Co. conference in Sun Valley, leading tech and media figures moved away from traditional Silicon Valley attire. Lauren Sánchez and Ivanka Trump introduced new style elements, drawing attention to evolving dress codes.
At this year's Allen & Co. conference in Sun Valley, the usual parade of tech vests and jeans was interrupted by a notable shift in style. Lauren Sánchez and Ivanka Trump, both present among the sector's most influential figures, brought a fresh approach to the event's informal dress code. Their choices stood out against the backdrop of the so-called “billionaire summer camp,” where the world's top tech, media, and finance leaders gather each summer.
Lauren Sánchez, arriving after a trip to Fiji, maintained a summery tone with a pale pink knotted shirt, matching skirt, and stilettos. On another occasion, she opted for a Chanel miniskirt and bouclé jacket, paired with a nude top. Ivanka Trump, meanwhile, selected a seafoam blue ensemble from Matthew Bruch, complemented by wide-legged pants. Her wardrobe for the conference included pieces from American designers such as Monse, Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, and Reformation, as well as a jean jacket from the Gap x Victoria Beckham collection. She also wore boots from Liberty Black, reflecting the region’s rustic character. Some of her outfits, according to sources, were drawn from her personal collection, with a few European labels like Destree, Reiss, and Zara making an appearance.
Other attendees also contributed to the evolving style narrative. Karlie Kloss and Joshua Kushner coordinated with oversized shirts and T-shirts, while Kloss added Maison Margiela x Gentle Monster sunglasses and, for another event, a black-and-white knit dress. Miranda Kerr chose a black cutout top and pants, layering with a white coat after a coffee run with Snap CEO Evan Spiegel. Diane von Furstenberg, known for her fashion influence, opted for jeans and a black T-shirt, aligning with the event’s relaxed atmosphere. Eventbrite’s Julia Hartz and Away’s CEO also embraced casual looks, with Hartz in a lilac T-shirt and off-white jacket, and Away’s executive in a brown floral dress.
Male executives largely maintained the tradition of understated attire. Jeff Bezos favored jeans and T-shirts, while Mark Zuckerberg was seen in a brown polo and striped shorts. Warner Bros. Discovery’s David Zaslav chose a denim-on-denim look, and other tech leaders, including Meta’s Javier Olivan and David Wehner, kept to simple, practical outfits. The prevalence of company-branded hoodies and neutral tones was noted by observers, who described Silicon Valley style as intentionally unadorned, signaling affiliation rather than personal expression.
Paris-based designer Paul Billot, who has studied the intersection of tech and fashion, observed that many tech professionals favor shapeless, neutral clothing, often in sizes that do not fit precisely. He suggested this reflects a focus on intellect over appearance, though he noted a contradiction in the tech world’s simultaneous emphasis on physical optimization through fitness and health tracking. Leigh Anne Clark of Auger added that Silicon Valley tends to adopt rather than originate fashion trends, rarely setting the pace for the wider industry.
The evolution of tech conference style is not isolated. Recent trends in festival and summer fashion, such as the rise of layered basics and folk-inspired prints, have also been observed in high-profile events. For example, Elsa Pataky’s influence on summer festival attire was recently highlighted in a feature on the growing popularity of boho plaid skirts, indicating a broader shift toward comfort and individuality in public appearances.
The Allen & Co. conference continues to serve as a barometer for the intersection of business, technology, and culture. While the event remains exclusive, the visible changes in dress codes among its attendees may signal a gradual transformation in how status and identity are communicated within the tech elite. The blending of high fashion with casual staples at Sun Valley this year suggests that even the most tradition-bound gatherings are not immune to the evolving language of style.
For context, the Allen & Co. conference has long been a focal point for industry leaders, with its informal setting encouraging candid discussions and networking. The event’s fashion choices, while secondary to its business agenda, often reflect broader cultural shifts. As the boundaries between tech, media, and fashion continue to blur, the styles seen at Sun Valley may offer early clues to changing norms in other influential circles.
