Yearly has its personal large vogue developments and popular culture moments, however in 2023, the 2 got here collectively in an all-consuming manner. Lots of the 12 months’s most-anticipated occasions—from the Renaissance and Eras excursions by Beyoncé and Taylor Swift to the Barbie film—achieved a widespread degree of hype we hadn’t seen in fairly some time. Along with promoting out reveals quicker than you possibly can say “Ticketmaster,” followers spent months planning elaborate seems to be for each occasion on their agenda, additionally taking to social media in droves to indicate off their one-of-a-kind outfits.
You’ll be able to positively say 2023 was the 12 months of all-out occasion dressing, and all of us would do effectively to mirror on why everybody was turning popular culture moments into costume events. Forward, we spoke to celeb stylist Ashley Afriyie and Depop pattern specialist Agus Panzoni to debate the explosive pattern and if it’s going to proceed into 2024.
Meet the Knowledgeable
- Ashley Afriyie is a celeb vogue stylist and former vogue editor. She has spent over a decade honing her abilities at high luxurious vogue organizations resembling Gucci, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Teen Vogue.
- Agus Panzoni is Depop’s pattern specialist and a printed pattern forecaster specializing in vogue and media, in addition to the secondhand attire and jewellery classes. By way of her TikTok web page (@theAlgorythm), Panzoni shares her perspective on type and pattern reporting with lots of of hundreds of primarily millennial and Gen-Z followers.
The Occasions We Dressed Up For
In 2023, a mainstream popular culture trifecta emerged: Not solely did two of the world’s greatest music artists go on tour, however the extremely anticipated Barbie film premiered. Virtually immediately, it appeared like everybody was planning a search for their large occasion of alternative (or all the above), with silver vogue, friendship bracelet beads, and all issues pink flying off the cabinets like by no means earlier than—but it surely did not come out of nowhere. In reality, this was a continuation of a pattern we would seen throughout Harry Kinds’ Love On Tour in 2022 when followers developed a particular live performance aesthetic and turned arenas throughout the nation into graveyards of feather boas and glitter.
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Each Panzoni and Afriyie agree, although, that trendy social media tradition actually introduced the pattern to life. “In the present day, you possibly can’t escape something with out it being posted,” Afriyie emphasizes. “We’re all at all times searching for the following large viral second.” Additionally, crafting outfits to publish on social media is motivation to flex a artistic muscle. Many TikTokers, like Hannah Michelle (above), have gone viral for exhibiting the time-consuming journey of constructing intricate live performance ensembles.
Panzoni makes a degree by saying that the influences of post-pandemic life and social media are removed from mutually unique. “Macro-cultural moments like these create a way of unity that we have been lacking because the pandemic,” she explains. Posting your outfit on social media can really feel oddly comforting, particularly when hundreds of others are doing the identical.
The Crimson Carpet of It All
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However we noticed loads of actors cosplaying their characters indirectly throughout the board: Halle Bailey walked a number of The Little Mermaid crimson carpets in mermaid-inspired robes, and at The Tremendous Mario Bros. Film premiere, Anya Taylor-Pleasure wore a customized pink Dior jumpsuit in tribute to Princess Peach, and Jack Black wore a Bowser-inspired go well with that includes spiky shell detailing on the again.
Afriyie provides that stars reconnect with their characters by their crimson carpet seems to be. “We have had purchasers that like to revisit the character as a result of it has been some time since filming has wrapped, so that they wish to get in the identical mindset once they start the press tour,” she explains. Maybe because of this, followers turn into extra invested within the film and extra eager about dressing as much as see it.
Is This Sustainable?
Placing collectively even essentially the most particular outfit for a live performance, film, or different occasion is extra accessible than ever, but it surely’s partly as a result of fast-fashion manufacturers are pushing low-cost objects that you just would possibly solely put on as soon as. Fortunately, there are extra sustainable methods to participate within the pattern. “Repeat outfit-wearing and procuring on secondhand resale markets like Depop [allow you] to take part in developments in a sustainable and round manner,” Panzoni says. “@extremelybeautiful and @dutchfonzie [on Depop] are so good at this—one have a look at their pages, and you will get impressed on how you can put on a micro-trend in a totally totally different manner, which results in greater than one-time wears.”
Panzoni provides that Depop has additionally newly launched its “repop” characteristic, which lets you simply resell items that you could have purchased for a particular event. “By repopping an merchandise, Depop customers are capable of see the lifespan of a particular merchandise, which is superior,” she says.
So…What’s Subsequent?
With 2023 nearly within the rearview mirror, we’re left questioning whether or not this pattern will proceed into 2024. As of now, whereas subsequent 12 months has some thrilling concert events on the agenda, they do not look set to dominate the tradition the best way Swift and Beyoncé’s excursions did: Personally, I will be placing collectively my finest grunge search for when Olivia Rodrigo involves city, however chatter on TikTok has subtly died down. Equally, the musical rendition of Imply Ladies is coming to theaters in January—we will think about that moviegoers will embrace the unique movie’s iconic vogue moments, but it surely’s but to be confirmed.
Panzoni additionally believes the occasion dressing pattern is not going wherever—and for good purpose. “Popular culture has advanced right into a tapestry of connection, crafting a collective identification and forging a way of belonging that transcends the limitations of our on a regular basis lives,” she says. “These new uniforms of fandom—and the traditions and rituals they bring about—they are not merely about exhibiting help; they’re about constructing bridges. In a world more and more marked by isolation, these alternatives to fulfill and share in actual life are a useful reminder that, no matter our backgrounds, we’re all a part of this collective expertise.”
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