Haute couture is back — and the rich are buying in. Say farewell to the frugal spenders of bearish years past and hello to the bullish fashion investors of today. Art, and therefore high fashion, is seeing a cultural renaissance, not unlike the events that succeeded the dark ages in the middle of the last millennium or the musical innovations of the early 20th century. Keep reading to discover the couture trends of the roaring 2020s.
#1. Silhouette
The clothing styles of the fashionable celebrity are enjoying a refreshingly new lease on life. Couturiers took inspiration from mankind’s universal passion for creature comforts and the latest shapes on the catwalk are now far roomier than they have been in the past.
The Alta Moda collection from the house of Dolce & Gabbana, for instance, offers designs of oversized robes, bubble skirts, and hooded capes for outside in spring. Even costumes with multiple pieces will include at least one loose element with the functional benefit of easy portability.
These relaxed profiles of comfortability may have an everlasting impact on couture. Far more likely is that this will be a temporary trend, labeled a fad by future generations who will have forgotten the lackadaisical side to human life in the 20s.
#2. Application
Traditional manufacturing supply chains of new organic or synthetic raw materials, an exercise known to disproportionately impact textile sustainability, is giving way to many newly introduced styles which are reconstructions of other items. For example, fashion folks may notice artisan decorative traditions from the fields of glasswork, carpentry, and leatherworking substituting prefabricated patterns that tend to be predictable.
Artists are now building their own fabric supply, an ode to the world’s ambitious goal a of zero waste society within the next decade. Clothing production makes up for 10% of the world’s carbon emissions and 85% of clothing goes to global landfills. The future of apparel must be a conscientious one. Design houses in every major city must commit to repurposing old styles and reducing their rate of simple disposal so that all items can transcend from one-use to reused.
The manifestation of this on the glittering carpets of the luxurious labels appear as looks of constructed majesty: adorned models are in layers of silver grommets, buckskin fringes, and crocheted petals.
#3. Transparency
The fashion apparel faux pas of yesteryear no longer appear to hold the same newsworthiness today. In the past, a noticeable bra strap below your halter top or the incorrigible visible panty line was enough to submit oneself to the fashion crime line, irreparably.
Now, however, the idea of a natural fashionista aligns with a happy fashionista, which is the supreme goal, after all. Sheer looks that reveal the human shape within are in. Moreover, when it comes to fabric and materials, less is more, to the benefit of the haute couture purveyor. Some glamourous features that are increasingly appearing on the designer’s studio mannequin include:
- high slits
- miniskirts
- crop tops
- one-shoulder dresses
- asymmetrical garments
#4. Androgyny
Now more than ever gender bending and blending is the mode. The most alluring runways of fashion trod woman after woman in a skirt, skort, and pantsuits in addition to men in kilts with bare midriffs. If the hallmarks of retro trends from Prince and Grace Jones are any indication, you will soon see more of the Kim Kardashian-Wests and Ciara Westbrooks sporting less traditionally feminine wear and more dapper structures accentuating womanly poise with a dash of campiness.
How does one refer to any rules that are yet unbroken? Likely rules that were just made. On behalf of the asexual and non-cis gendered, this writer is positive there’s a true fan screaming excitedly. Perhaps even unisex collections will begin to define the catwalks going forward.
Consumerism is returning to the rag trade, with fashion being number on the brains of those emerging from the isolated chrysalis that was 2020. Looking positively forward, couturiers can anticipate a more honest and authentic aspect to fashion design.
