Stepping into her Bushwick, Brooklyn store, you’re immediately met with ethereal decorations like swan sculptures and ornate silver frames. Vintage 1970s prairie dresses, slip gowns and other eclectic, colorful garments from bygone eras hang from the racks — each piece a small fantasy in its own right. These days, it’s rare to find a store with as much personality as this one. But as homogeneous, clean-girl aesthetics continue to sweep through the fashion world, a group of young shop owners in New York City are dedicated to keeping whimsy alive.

This past summer, “whimsy” took the internet by storm, fueled by coquettish runway collections, Olivia Rodrigo’s signature babydoll dresses and a rise in romantic period dramas, from “Wuthering Heights” to the upcoming “Pride and Prejudice.”

When it comes to fashion, whimsical aesthetics are seen as romantic, colorful and full of personality. The trend is an invitation to experiment with fashion while having fun. The catch? It can’t be found so easily in traditional retail, where uniformity thrives. Enter today’s thrift entrepreneurs, our young, social media-savvy knights in shining armor (or voluminous tulle), who curate clothes and retail experiences that ooze playfulness and vitality — for those who seek it.

After 10 years of professional thrifting, LaRossa founded Junkyard Thrift in 2025. It’s primarily home to slip dresses, lingerie from the 1930s-2000s and sleepwear. LaRossa aims to bring under-appreciated labels back onto fashion’s radar, such as Gunne Sax and Jessica McClintock, in a bid to create the very world she argues the city has lost. She recognizes the term “whimsical” has recently become overused online, but, for her, whimsy still means incorporating playful pieces into her everyday life and not taking herself too seriously.

“It’s easy to go shopping and feel a lack of excitement about the clothes that are offered to us, whether it’s cheap fabrics, inconsistent sizing or hefty price tags,” she tells Fashionista. It’s her mission to “stock beautiful and fun vintage in all sizes so anyone can feel good about browsing the racks.”

LaRossa isn’t alone in the pro-whimsy mission. New York City showroom The NY Archive looks like it’s been pulled straight from a Y2K-era rom-com. Inside its bright-pink walls, shoppers can browse bright-patterned Pucci pieces, big Chanel bags, Cavalli jeans and Fendi Baguettes. Gianna Corvino opened the showroom this year after operating online since 2024, as she wanted to create a space where women could reconnect with their inner child and have fun playing dress-up. In fact, her first collection resulted from a mission to find all the original pairs of designer shoes that her mother owned in the early 2000s.

“From the response on social media, friends and family, it was clear that people were looking for something that was playful, whimsical and nostalgic,” she says. “I always think of ‘whimsy’ as a reflection of my uniqueness,” she continues, “the fact that it’s okay to love pink and to just represent yourself through your clothes.” Built around community, Corvino keeps fashion’s magic alive, all the while proving that secondhand can be sophisticated — or camp.

But the thrifting landscape wasn’t always so charming. When Laura Wills and Biff Chandler opened Screaming Mimi’s in 1978, the environment was completely different: Most resale stores were presented as charity shops. By seeing the old through a modern lens, Wills and Chandler set out to build a more modern and curated secondhand destination from a stylist’s perspective. And it worked. Customers couldn’t believe that what they were selling had been worn previously. When fashion became more static years later, the Screaming Mimi’s ethos didn’t change.

According to the current owner, Dani Cabot, people come to the store looking for outfits that will set them apart. “We strive to offer a curation of clothing that is boundary-pushing, which sometimes isn’t the easiest thing to sell,” Cabot confesses, “but when the right person finds the right item, it’s like magic.”

Lately, Betsey Johnson has been “flying off the shelves.” But whatever Cabot is selling, one thing always remains: the desire to make people feel like they’re stepping into a world of their own, discovering treasures: “The thrill of finding something you weren’t anticipating or hadn’t imagined existed is a great joy.” 

At Close Friends, owners Liz Ballmaier and Carson Koser share that spirit. “It’s one thing to source cool shit, but making the customer feel confident in it is what’s most important,” the duo states. Founded in September 2024 in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Close Friends bills itself as a “curated shop that feels like you’re walking into Lizzie McGuire or Hannah Montana’s dressing room.” Among their best sellers are silk fringe dresses, calf hair coats, rabbit fur jackets and archival Romeo Gigli pieces. 

While Carson considers whimsical fashion to be in the same trend-based vein as “cool girl,” Ballmaier feels it boils down to adding something eccentric or unique to one’s look: an unexpected pop of color, a fun vintage bag or a shoe that doesn’t necessarily go with the outfit, but ultimately works perfectly for that very reason.

While the whimsical trend keeps growing beyond the vintage realm — see McKenna Grace’s looks for “The Hunger Games” press tour and TikTok guides for “whimsical Halloween costumes” — it aligns so well with the eclectic, retro nature of the secondhand market. Cabot adds another layer to the appeal, namely “the decline of quality in contemporary manufacturing, and how vintage pieces were built to last.”

For Helga Hitko and Sasha Knysh, models and founders of Khata Vintage, individuality is key. They launched Khata – meaning “home” in Ukrainian – in 2024 because, in Hitko’s words, they’re shopalcoholics. “It was enough of a reason to create something where we could fulfill our passion-slash-addiction,” she says. Located on the Lower East Side, the store offers ceramics, paintings, clothes and jewelry that somehow are eerie, elegant, sultry, and whimsical all at once.

While all these businesses continue to champion the playful spirit and condemn self-seriousness, they’re endorsing something else, too: a desire for community and connection. “We just want girls to feel comfortable,” Knysh says. “The whole idea was that you come in and you feel like this is home.” That dedication to community takes different forms across these spaces, from Ballmaier and Koser wanting customers feel like they’re in their best friend’s closet, to Corvinno embracing an ethos of pure girlhood.

Adds LaRossa, “Buyers like to know where their outfits come from and the many stories behind them, so they can feel part of something bigger,” she says. All the shop owners have stories to tell: LaRossa and her ’70s Gunne Sax prairie dress that had to be hemmed into a mini by its previous owner after being damaged; Corvino literally giving a customer the shirt off her back; Cabot discovering a trio of metallic suits with music-note appliqués that were custom-made for a DuWop group in the ’80s; Hitko and Knysh selling a fur coat so quickly that it actually broke their hearts; and Ballmaier and Koser finding wedding dresses for new brides.

Perhaps the whimsical fashion retail movement is less about what you wear and more about the meaning behind it. As La Rossa puts it, “it’s an escape from our everyday lives, it’s a way to make your day feel special.” For these whimsical thrift stores, at the end of the day, keeping fashion’s magic alive is enough.

The annual event regularly delivers some of the year’s most exciting red-carpet looks, and Monday night’s step-and-repeat didn’t disappoint: Dozens of stars showed up at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City dressed in the latest collections of the buzziest American designers.

Little black dresses were popular, like Gracie Abrams’ gown by Emerging Designer of the Year Colleen Allen, Pamela Anderson’s Carolina Herrera dress and Aweng Ade-Choul’s Brandon Blackwood ensemble. Others embraced bold colors and more playful silhouettes, such as Julia Fox in a map-print gown by Miss Claire Sullivan and Tinashe in a colorful Christopher John Rogers set.

Keep scrolling for all the best looks from the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards red carpet.

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“[It’s] an organization that empowers women. And at Simkhai, we very much love women’s empowerment,” the designer and creative director told Fashionista. “I think that fashion has a way of really giving confidence and empowering people, making them feel their best. There are so many days [when] I wake up and don’t feel like doing something and then I have this amazing outfit and I put it on and all of a sudden ta-da, I can do it.”

The collab actually began during Simkhai’s Spring 2027 New York Fashion Week show, when the Frank Family team poured wine for guests and celebrated with celebs at Simkhai’s after party. It was a sneak peek at the new partnership: Simkhai x Frank Family Vineyards 2024 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($90), available as part of Frank Family Vineyards’ annual Frank for a Cause charitable giving campaign.

Simkhai translated the intricate guipure lace detailing on his Lina Lace Mini Dress from the Summer 2026 collection into a custom wine bottle design. On Oct. 24, he presented both the dress and the limited-edition Cabernet Sauvignon alongside his holiday collection at a fashion show and luncheon in Napa Valley.

The lace detail on the wine and throughout his designs has a personal meaning, he told attendees at the wine country event. His grandfather had a lace mill in Iran in the 1970s. “I always try to find ways to incorporate lace into my design,” he said. “Lace is a very important fabric for us and I just love the way that it feels sensual and [transparent] and architectural at the same time.” He was also drawn to the juxtaposition of “something feminine with something architectural or graphic, something hard, something soft,” a contrast that informed the bottle’s design.

The designer wanted to work with Frank Family Vineyards because both companies “really love craftsmanship and attention to detail and really take a lot of pride in what we do: the workmanship, the craftsmanship, the process,” he says. Showing his holiday collection in Napa Valley also allowed him to reach new customers (there was a Simkhai pop-up with clothes to buy on-site).

“Being able to collaborate with industries outside of fashion is always so eye-opening because you see different perspectives as different business owners have different objectives and different ways of running their businesses and also the way that they reach people,” he explains.

It’s also about celebration, Simkhai said. “This is the most beautiful day, the most perfect setting, being here in Napa Valley amongst the great vineyards and seeing fashion and clothing and drinking wine and being amongst friends,” he continued. “So much of what we do at Simkhai is about celebration and dressing for life and dressing for those special moments. And what better way to celebrate a moment than with a glass in hand?”

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Disclosure: Frank Family Vineyards paid for Fashionista’s travel and accommodations to report this story.

Chanel and Miu Miu joined Prada at the top of the podium, respectively taking the silver and bronze. Gucci came in fourth place, followed by Saint Laurent in fifth. Celine entered the top 10 for the first time on the heels of its Reebok partnership, which claimed the third spot on the hottest products list.

As for the newcomers, Dries Van Noten and Khaite made their Lyst Index debuts at numbers 16 and 20, respectively. With a 27% quarter-on-quarter demand spike, the former also boasts the fifth-hottest product of Q3: the $845 Long Wrap Scarf-Skirt. Diesel stood out as this quarter’s only re-entry at 18, as Glenn Martens’ electric final bow pushed the label onto the list for the first time since Q1 2024.

Accessories dominated Lyst’s Q3 top fashion finds: Slouchy top-handle handbags à la COS’ Trullo Flap Bag ($370) and Balenciaga’s Rodeo Bag ($4,590) became summer’s favorite style, while Cartier’s Tank Watch ($3,750) was the first timepiece to enter the list since 2021 as demand for the classic silhouette rose 83% quarter-on-quarter.

Following the resurgence of 2010s-era trends like mullet hems and mint-green colorways, Vans’ nostalgic Premium Authentic Sneakers ($80) are also resurfacing, with demand up 29% year-over-year. Meanwhile, Phoebe Philo’s Peak Sunglasses ($520) reigned as this quarter’s undisputed top shades due to a whopping 525% demand increase in Q3.

In addition to ranking fashion’s big luxury players, Lyst also tracks the industry’s “moving fast” brands, or rising labels worth keeping an eye on. Conner Ives — a New York-born designer currently based in London — led Q3’s cohort, with the brand seeing a 49% quarter-on-quarter lift in searches. This buzz follows Ives’ recent stateside return to show at New York Fashion Week for the first time in September. Plus, the label’s Reconstituted Vintage Robe has become a popular pull among celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Kate Moss and Jennifer Lawrence.

NYC-based label Emily Dawn Long joins Conner Ives on the “moving fast” list, as it saw a 17% spike in demand following its 2026 CFDA Emerging Designer of the Year nomination. Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, Copenhagen-based label Mfpen is also on the rise, with Lyst logging a 37% quarter-on-quarter bump after a buzzy collaboration with New Balance.

Ahead, see the full rankings of the hottest brands and products for Q3 2026, and find Lyst’s full report here.

Hottest Fashion Brands of Q3 2026

1. Prada (+5)
2. Chanel (-1)
3. Miu Miu (-1)
4. Gucci (+1)
5. Saint Laurent (-1)
6. Dior (-3)
7. Burberry (+1)
8. Ralph Lauren (-1)
9. Chloé (+2)
10. Celine (+5)
11. Bottega Veneta (+3)
12. Coach (-3)
13. Massimo Dutti (-3)
14. The Row (-2)
15. Moncler (+1)
16. Dries Van Noten (new)
17. Loewe
18. Diesel (re-entry)
19. Stone Island (+1)
20. Khaite (new)

Hottest Fashion Products of Q3 2026

1. Prada Wish Silk Duchesse Pouch
2. COS Trullo Flap Bag
3. Celine/Reebok Freestyle Lo
4. Vans Premium Authentic
5. Dries Van Noten Long Wrap Scarf-Skirt
6. Phoebe Philo Peak Sunglasses
7. Free People Forever Young Bloomer Pants
8. Balenciaga Rodeo Bag
9. Chanel Ballet Flats
10. Cartier Tank Watch

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After Sarah J. Maas announced the long-awaited sixth installment of her “A Court of Thorns and Roses” (“ACOTAR”) series earlier this year, it was only a matter of time before the beloved romantasy saga started making the licensing partnership rounds. Ahead of Tuesday’s release of “A Court of Splintered Harmony,” brands are catering to one of BookTok’s biggest audiences by stepping into the spellbinding world of Prythian with character-inspired fragrances, Bat Boy embroidered panties and even a Monopoly board. (Yes, really.)

But these aren’t your typical licensing partnerships. Many popular book series first became blockbuster movies or fan-favorite TV shows before venturing into the lucrative world of fan merchandise, but with “ACOTAR,” brands are exclusively pulling from words on a page. While there is an official coloring book with original drawings and an entire ecosystem of online fan art, “ACOTAR” has no accompanying actors, animations or visual aids to merely slap onto merchandise. (Hulu scrapped a planned “ACOTAR” TV series last year, meaning fans have yet to see any movement on the live-action adaptation front.)

So, given that each fan has their own vision of Prythian and the Inner Circle, how can brands successfully translate the written “ACOTAR” world through their own physical branding?

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For Love & Lemons put a fantastical spin on its signature romantic dresses by unveiling a collection of shimmering slips marking Feyre Archeron’s entrance into the Night Court and scallop-edged satin panties donning “Rhysand’s,” “Cassian’s” and “Azriel’s” embroidered on the front; BrüMate printed celestial and tattoo-inspired designs onto its tumblers; and Dolls Kill launched graphic tees and crewnecks, including a paint-stained Chapter 55 sweater (IYKYK).

Intimates label Knix “focused on what readers already connect with: the characters’ personalities, each court’s imagery and fan-favorite moments,” Knix President Nicole Tapscott tells Fashionista over email. Knix’s “ACOTAR” collaboration also stemmed from personal appreciation; both Tapscott and Knix Founder Joanna Griffiths were already devout fans. “Joanna decided to reach out to Sarah J. Maas directly on Instagram, and the rest is history,” Tapscott says.

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Griffiths’ idea soon grew into a “40-person internal fan club” working together to design the apparel collaboration, which evolved into an 89-piece collection spanning bras, underwear, corsets and more. “Because the designers are readers themselves, the references are authentic while leaving room for fans’ own interpretations,” Tapscott explains. The Night Court’s celestial motifs dot across matching undergarments, Nesta Archeron’s sharp edge shines through via a structured corset inspired by Illyrian fighting leathers and Starfall is brought to life in a lace sky blue slip. Plus, Knix’s Spring Court offering includes rose-patterned sets, its Autumn Court selection spotlights fox prints à la Lucien’s mask and its Summer Court section introduces Adriata toile inspired by the fictional coastal city.

Related: The Barbification of ‘Practical Magic 2’

“‘ACOTAR’ felt like a natural fit for Knix because there’s such a strong connection between the two communities,” Tapscott expands. “Knix has always been about helping people feel confident and comfortable in their own skin, while ‘ACOTAR’ celebrates characters who embrace their power, identity and self-expression.”

As for jewelry brand Alex and Ani, the call to collaborate with “ACOTAR” came from inside the house. “We first learned of the ‘ACOTAR’ series from a few of our employees and they’re the ones who truly advocated for this IP,” Alex and Ani CEO Prita Kumar says. However, “ACOTAR” was not available for licensing at the time, so Alex and Ani kept a close eye on it and later became one of the first deals that IMG — the global licensing business representing Maas (and just about any other IP you can think of) — signed for the property.

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Alex and Ani’s first “ACOTAR” collection, which launched in June, honored the Night Court via a winged locket necklace, a sword cuff bracelet and Bat Boy ring stacks. The label has since unveiled two additional fan-approved collections: “Book Club,” a charm-centric offering representing each of the books via bracelets and hand chains, as well as “Starfall,” a celestial-inspired drop featuring dangling earrings and bangles commemorating the celebration of migrating spirits in the form of shooting stars.

“Not having an on-screen version actually gave us more room to play,” Kumar says. “We built the collection around the characters, relationships and moments readers obsess over, then hid little surprises inside: lockets that open to reveal scenes, engraved quotes from the books and interlocking rings representing the relationships… Every fan pictures it a little differently, and the pieces leave room for that.”

Since fragrance plays a pivotal role in the “ACOTAR” series (see: Rhysand’s natural aroma of sea salt and citrus), Fine’ry set out to bottle key characters’ scents by pulling directly from the page. However, when ideating the collaboration’s fragrances, Fine’ry “discovered that some of our signature scents had been capturing the world of ‘ACOTAR’ all along,” per Maesa Senior Vice President Molly Kennedy. Instead of formulating all-new fragrances, Fine’ry reimagined four of its core scents (Flower Bed, No Prince Required, Ultra and The New Rouge) through the lens of “ACOTAR” and presented them in limited-edition packaging.

The resulting reissued fragrances include High Lady of the Night Court (Flower Bed), a luminous floral bouquet of lilac and green pear that captures Feyre’s journey to High Lady; High Lord of the Night Court (Ultra), a powerful salty and citrus scent representing Rhysand; Moonstone Palace (The New Rouge), a warm amber juice grounded in sandalwood and moonflower; and Night in Velaris (No Prince Required), a jasmine and amber blend embodying the City of Starlight. (Tangentially, my campaign for a Rowan Whitethorn-inspired pine-and-snow fragrance begins now.)

“Because every reader pictures the world of ‘ACOTAR’ a little differently, we let scent lead in storytelling, focusing on specific excerpts of the book, the emotions that scent evokes, all tied to characters and settings the books describe,” Kennedy adds.

With an existing customer base to maintain and a fandom to appease, brands need a clear strategy when pursuing licensing partnerships. So, how can they get it right? Tapscott recommends “start[ing] as a fan.” When a brand’s decision-makers already have a built-in appreciation for an IP, that dedication (and insider knowledge) is imbued into the partnership from the beginning. Tapscott also adds that brands should “respect how invested fans are” and “bring something distinctive” to the table.

Kennedy stresses that “authentic alignment” is the key to a successful licensing partnership: “The brand and the property should share a mission and a point of view, so the product feels like a genuine extension of that world rather than a mere logo change.” In Kumar’s view, brands should start with “the elements nearly every fan obsesses over,” hence Alex and Ani’s initial partnership centering around the fan-favorite Night Court. Then, “as sales and engagement show real traction, you go deeper into the details only true fans will catch,” she adds.

Although we may be knee-deep in a literacy crisis (looking at you, Alix Earle), bookish brand collaborations are heading toward an upswing. Just look to Madewell’s recent collab with the New York Public Library, Dior’s “Book Cover” collection which transformed classic literature from “Pride and Prejudice” to “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” into its signature totes or Coach’s miniature book-inspired bag charms.

“We think book-centric collaborations have an exciting opportunity to grow because books create immersive worlds that readers can interpret, connect with and carry beyond the page into their everyday lives,” Kennedy says.

Tapscott concurs: “There’s room for more literary collaborations, but fit is everything. The best ones come from a real connection between brand, story and community.”

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Zooey Deschanel has a memorable aesthetic — and that’s a good thing. From her signature bangs to her vintage-inspired wardrobe and super-cute ballet flats, the actor has long cultivated a personal style that feels distinctly her own. Whether as Jess on “New Girl” or just herself, the queen of twee is so refreshingly loyal to her personal style that the trends she loves have gone around and come back into fashion again.

Now, the millennial icon who screams holiday spirit (“Elf,” anyone?) has teamed up with another millennial icon, Bath & Body Works, for a holiday campaign featuring the new cozy season-ready products, including fine fragrance mist, body cream, lotion, hand soap, candles and more.

We caught up with Deschanel to discuss her current beauty favorites, the body products she’s loving, her secondhand shopping philosophy and whether she managed to keep any of Jess Day’s memorable wardrobe for herself.

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What’s a beauty item you’re obsessed with right now?

I like to keep it simple. I am loving the Sweed Lip Liners. I get into a relationship with a lip pencil. It’s like I’m married to it for years, [and] this one stole my heart this year.

What’s a body product you’re loving?

This is really fun [from Bath & Body Works]. It’s a shapable soap, and this is my favorite overall scent. This is Moonlit Goddess, which we all are, right? We’re all moonlit goddesses. And it smells really beautiful. It’s got this nice subtle pear lavender scent. I love the moisturizing body wash because it’s wintertime and my skin gets dry.

What’s a fashion item you’re eyeing right now?

I actually buy a lot of stuff secondhand. That’s my favorite way to shop. I won’t ever buy something full price. I always look for secondhand because it’s better for the environment. And also, I just like the hunt for a good deal. I love vintage clothes, so I’m always looking for vintage pieces. Some designers I love [are] Courrèges [and] Saint Laurent. A lot of those pieces still look, even from the ’60s, ’70s, they look amazing still. The one thing I like to buy new is shoes because I don’t want to wear someone else’s shoes, but pretty much everything else I buy secondhand.

Where do you get your iconic ballet flats?

I’m wearing Jimmy Choos right now and I love them. I love Repetto.

Where do you go for more affordable pieces?

I think everywhere. When I was a teenager, my parents gave me an allowance that was supposed to cover everything, like music, movies, plus my clothes. And I used to shop at [the] Salvation Army and I put together really cute outfits. I just don’t think that you need to spend a lot of money to be a fashionista.

What’s a fall fashion must-have you swear by?
I love my snowflake sweaters. I love a fair isle situation. I know those were very big last year. There’s also a lot you can buy secondhand that are super cute. One thing is, I don’t like itchy, so I look for cotton sweaters or cashmere.

Did you keep anything from [your “New Girl” character] Jess’ closet and do you still wear anything?

I wasn’t really allowed to… I knew stuff would sell out after I wore it on the show, so I would buy it before the show aired. Jess had a lot of cute stuff, a lot of vintage stuff, but also a lot of J. Crew and Kate Spade and a lot of things [from] brands that are still great and still around.

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“I’m not trying to do Jonathan Cohen at J. Mendel,” he told Fashionista backstage after the show. “This is a J. Mendel collection, and my job is to really go in a new direction for both myself and the J. Mendel brand. I’m looking at who the client is, who the new clients could be and where those wardrobe-building aspects could be enhanced.”

Where Cohen’s eponymous brand is defined by its vibrant colors, floral prints and subversive design details, the designer’s debut J. Mendel collection homes in on the legacy brand’s penchant for craftsmanship. In fact, his starting point was a rack of multi-colored chiffon bias strips — typically used as a hidden finish — he spotted while walking through the J. Mendel atelier.

“I saw a hook that had all these drapes waiting to be sewn on the inside in the seams, and they were just lightly flowing,” he said. “I just found it so romantic. So I thought, ‘How do I take that and put it out on the outside of the clothing?'”

The resulting Spring 2027 lineup features pieces made from bias strips, manipulated around the body and hand-sewn together. This technique appears in tops, suiting and gowns. One look, a bias-strip black gown, took more than three weeks to hand-sew, Cohen revealed. Another standout piece is the finale dress, which features chiffon strips with an unraveling effect.

While Cohen was creating the collection, one priority he kept in consideration was honoring the J. Mendel woman. And who is that woman, exactly? “[She’s] overt,” he said. “She’s very direct and intentional. When she’s sexy, she’s sexy, when she’s cool, she’s cool and when she means business, she means business. There’s no dancing around it, and I thought that really reflected in today’s show.”

See every look from J. Mendel’s Spring 2027 collection in the gallery below.

J. Mendel

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But for the fun of it, let’s take a guess anyway: Perhaps her defining fashion moment was when she wore Jean Paul Gaultier to the 2023 BET Awards. Or maybe it was the corseted Mirror Palais gown she sported at the 2023 MTV Awards. It could even have been one of JT’s many fashion-forward music videos that got her on the industry’s radar.

All this to say, she has many sartorial moments as a contender. So it’s no surprise that she’s finally gained a presence in the high fashion world. (It was a long time coming.)

Most recently, the rapper starred in the debut campaign for L/AB c/o Off-White, Off-White’s accessibly priced, streetwear-oriented sub-label. She fronts the campaign alongside Glaive, PZ, Vivian Jenna Wilson, Mazzy Joya, Julez Smith and Jay Guapõ. “It was such an exciting project, first of all, because we shot it in Berlin,” JT says. “That was my first time ever being in Berlin…The Off-White team made it very magical.”

JT sees being a part of this project as a full-circle moment: She’s a longtime fan of the brand, and even remembers having its iconic Industrial Yellow Belt on her shopping wishlist when she was younger. “I couldn’t afford it at the time,” she says of the piece. “But Off-White has always been super cool.” (And in case you’re wondering, yes, she does own the belt now.)

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She also firmly believes the late Virgil Abloh would’ve liked her if he were alive. “I would’ve never done [the campaign] if I thought, ‘No, this man would think I’m corny,'” she shares. “But I think that he would’ve fucked with me, 100%.”

At the heart of L/AB c/o Off-White’s debut campaign lies a theme of freedom and individuality. JT’s unique style aesthetic reflects that concept wholeheartedly: She describes her personal style as versatile and ever-changing. “My personal style literally [depends] on how I feel when I wake up,” she explains. “It depends on whatever mood I’m in.”

Some days, she’s in the mood for a basic sweatsuit. Others, she wears head-to-toe name-brand designer clothes. “Sometimes I buy shit that I don’t even wear,” she laughs. (Celebrities, they’re just like us.)

That said, the artist has certainly noticed her sense of style mature over the years. The Miami native confesses she used to believe everything she wore had to be designer. “Miami bitches are the fliest bitches in the world…but we are so goddamn designer happy,” she says. “We love designer in Miami. That’s what it’s all about.”

Now? “I can make fashion out of anything versus when I thought that everything had to have a label,” she says.

JT’s adaptable style approach rings true no matter what event she’s stepping out for — whether she’s getting dressed for an on-stage performance or a red-carpet event. Of course, she considers different factors for each occasion: Her on-stage outfits are typically more “comfortable,” and she’s not as self-conscious. “With my fans, I know I could go out there in a white T-shirt, and they’ll accept me for who I am,” she explains. “They’re not going to judge me. They’re going to love me.”

Conversely, the rapper is more conscientious about her outfit choices for red-carpet and street-style appearances. “Girl, I’m worried about whether I look big or small, whether I look short or tall; I’m making sure nothing ain’t in my teeth,” she confesses. “The red carpet [photos] are something that’s going to go out into the world for people to judge.”

The common thread between both processes, though? She stays true to herself and doesn’t chase trends or cater to online critics. “I do what I want to do, and I wear what I want to wear,” she says. “I don’t dress to impress others — I dress to impress myself.”

That commitment to embracing sartorial individuality even rang true at her recent appearance at Paris Fashion Week (PFW) in September. JT sat front row at Schiaparelli and Chanel’s Spring 2027 shows. For the former, she wore a (custom!) sculptural sheer black gown and star-shaped nipple covers. Meanwhile, at Chanel, she wore a more modest black rib-knit sweater set.

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“It was such a good week for me to have good teeth because I could not stop smiling,” she says about attending PFW. “I’m still on that high. I cannot stop looking at the pictures of myself. I nailed it. It was such a beautiful, beautiful moment. I don’t think I’m ever going to come down from this, honestly.”

With an Off-White campaign and multiple fashion show appearances under her belt, is it safe to consider JT a fashion It girl? Honestly, the rapper isn’t caught up in titles. “I just see myself as JT,” she says. “I don’t know why everything has to have such a term to it. I think it always just boxes people in. If people want to call me [a fashion It girl], then that’s what it is. If they don’t, I’m still going to be JT, so it doesn’t matter.”

The most important thing she hopes people take away from her fashion is that it’s okay to be unapologetically yourself. “I didn’t follow nobody else’s rules,” she says. “I didn’t care what nobody said, and I hope that I inspire people to be the same way.”

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That means Whatnot has a lot of data on what people are shopping. The company just released its 2027 Consumer Trends Report, which outlines the “products, trends and communities” the company expects to be huge in 2027, based on 2026 data.

Fashion Live Shopping Trends

Someone call Paris Hilton, because the Y2K revival is getting a maximalist update, according to Whatnot. The platform expects “McBling,” which encompasses the rhinestone-covered, brightly colored aesthetic associated with the early 2000s, to take center stage in 2027. The company reported that searches for baguette bags rose 320% this year, while searches for rhinestones, low-rise styles and tracksuits each rose about 160%. The Louis Vuitton Speedy also ranked among the platform’s top-selling bag styles.

The Coach revival is still going strong, keeping with the vintage fashion boom. Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel and Hermès remained among the platform’s most-searched names, while Coach appeared in nearly half of all vintage bag show titles on Whatnot in 2026. The report says Coach was mentioned about nine times as often as the next-most-mentioned brand, Dooney & Bourke. (Talk about a throwback.)

If you’ve been on TikTok lately, you’ve likely seen the rise of shoppers who look more closely at garment tags than designer labels. Whatnot found that people are paying closer attention to what their clothes are made of and seeking out specific materials. Searches for cashmere rose 140%, while searches for silk rose 100%. Legacy brands associated with craftsmanship and high-quality materials also saw strong search growth per the report, including Brioni (+350%), Zegna (+340%), Brunello Cucinelli (+220%) and Loro Piana (+130%). Whatnot predicts that natural fibers, leather and material craftsmanship will play a greater role in purchasing decisions in 2027.

Elements of classic Americana, including what the report calls the “Ralph Lauren” aesthetic, will continue to show up in fashion next year, but with a more eclectic feel. Whatnot describes the new direction as heritage sportswear mixed with luxurious textures, Western influences and “country-club-meets-ranch” dressing. Searches for tweed spiked 120%, while searches for Western styles shot up 100%, according to the report.

Skirts are more popular than ever, and Whatnot points to the Spring 2027 Prada runway as one indication of their potential prominence in 2027. According to the report, searches for skirts climbed 93%. Other rising trends that seemed ripped from the runways include floral brooches, silk scarves and big sunglasses.

Beauty Live Shopping Trends

Beauty orders on Whatnot nearly tripled this year, according to the report. About 18 fragrance items sell per minute on average, and 72% of fragrance buyers returned for another purchase. Kayali, Tom Ford and Maison Francis Kurkdjian were the platform’s leading fragrance searches. Middle Eastern fragrance is especially growing: Searches and orders for Dubai perfumes tripled in 2026, according to the report, while gourmand notes such as vanilla remained favorites. Other rising fragrance searches included peony (+460%) and woody scents (+230%).

When it comes to skin care, unsurprisingly, K-beauty is still expected to be strong in 2027. K-beauty brands accounted for more than 80% of skin-care orders on the platform in 2026. Buyers also ranked anti-aging products among their top interests, and orders for those items roughly quadrupled. Glow-y “glass” skin was another leading search.

And if you’re tired of the no-makeup makeup, “clean girl” vibe, more glam looks seem to be back, but Whatnot is calling it “worn-in glam.” (Think: 2000s-era messy black eyeliner.) The platform’s data points to growing interest in darker eye makeup: Moody eyeshadow shades appeared at roughly twice the volume of neutral palettes throughout 2026. Textured hair is also expected to be big, as searches for hair crimpers tripled.

Find the full 2027 Consumer Trends Report here.

“I wanted to be able to give other people a voice and for them to know that they’re not the only people who felt [depressed],” Abbe tells Fashionista. “No one really talks about it or how brutal it is to actually feel alone and anxious all the time and confined, and so I wanted to make a space where people felt like they could talk about it.”

During the pandemic, Abbe felt increasingly isolated in her tiny apartment at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Rather than translating her darkest emotions into a doom-and-gloom color palette, Abbe kept imagining a human in a bubble who was protected from both the outside world and themselves. Actually bringing the human bubble concept to life, however, proved to be quite the endeavor.

Abbe began experimenting with various materials, including leather and vinyl, before landing on latex. The only snag? She knew next to nothing about latex. “Everything that I learned about how to put latex together came from online tutorials,” she shares. It took plenty of trial and error, but Abbe gradually perfected her process of creating oversized, squiggly patterns out of the elastic material. To inflate the bubble-shaped silhouettes, Abbe researched pool float valves and translated the rubber nozzles onto her own blow-up garments.

After graduating with a textile and fashion design degree from UW–Madison, Abbe returned to New York to pursue a master’s in fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology. “I really feel like I found myself in my master’s,” she says. “It was just a really good experience. It was all about research and it really just helped me build the foundation of this brand.” Although the designer first began establishing her brand codes in college, Abbe officially founded T’Abbe in 2025 and recently unveiled her label’s Spring 2027 collection during New York Fashion Week.

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Titled “It Runs in the Family,” T’Abbe’s latest collection explores inheritance and memory by spotlighting all the women who have come before Abbe. Her grandmother served as the catalyst for this 19-look collection, as she sent Abbe multiple sketches of a raincoat she previously designed. “I really wanted to find a way to put her vision into my collection,” Abbe explains. Of course, she still added her signature T’Abbe spin: The resulting Nancy Raincoat is a canary yellow jacket accented by a multicolored Peter Pan collar, curving button clasps and matching cuffs.

Across a candy-coded color palette of pastel pinks, wine reds, lemon meringue and powder blue, the collection also features voluminous bubble skirts, pillow-y shift dresses and wearable matching sets. “I really feel like this collection is the T’Abbe girl all grown up,” Abbe adds.

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For Spring 2027, T’Abbe continued its partnership with Bring Change to Mind (BC2M), a nonprofit working to end mental health stigma through youth advocacy, by hosting a nationwide competition that selected a student design to become a custom print in the collection. The winning design — a vibrant artwork by Joanna Yong-An Chen that explores emotions that can be difficult to express — was incorporated into a zip-up shirt, a mesh tank top, a puffy tiered dress and the aforementioned raincoat.

Within the past two seasons, T’Abbe made a strategic push into ready-to-wear by translating her joyful aesthetic into more casual styles like barrel leg pants, frilly tops and cozy sweaters. T’Abbe’s playful brand codes continue into these designs, including the signature “T’Abbe wave” that comes from Abbe’s own electroencephalogram (EEG) scan, or a test measuring electrical activity in the brain. These wavy details can be spotted in hemlines, plackets and seams, further emphasizing the brand’s tie to mental health advocacy.

“I love the editorial pieces and I feel like they’re so creative and they really show my creativity, but I wanted T’Abbe to not only be for the special occasion, I wanted it to be for our every day T’Abbe girl,” Abbe says.

And who is the T’Abbe girl? To Abbe, she’s “someone who’s bold, but warm and fearless.” The T’Abbe customer is a “cool girl” in her own right, marching to the beat of her own drum rather than donning the latest drops from luxury’s top players. Although T’Abbe’s made-to-order model isn’t going away (its custom bubble dresses range from $1,750 to $2,400), the label’s expanding ready-to-wear and accessory offerings give customers an easier entry point. Take its Mini Stuffy Pod Purse ($280), for example: The padded, cloud-shaped tote delivers T’Abbe’s signature cheerful aesthetic for the shopper who still wants a touch of whimsy sans a personal inflator.

While mainly operating via its direct-to-consumer website, T’Abbe is currently stocked at Great Stuff, a contemporary women’s fashion boutique in New York and Connecticut. “I love the specialty stores so much,” Abbe says. “I think they’re such great partners, and I love the close relationship that they have to their clients.” But, T’Abbe isn’t ruling larger retail partners out. The designer notes that she would love to work with major department stores as the label continues to grow its retail presence. Plus, T’Abbe is eyeing possible international expansion, specifically to tap into its “strong clientele” in Asia.

“We are really just trying to expand in every direction to get the brand to be a little bit more well known and to get people [to be] a part of our community,” Abbe says.

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The celebration marked the brand’s final “chapter” in this collection: The Gorgon, inspired by Medusa and the power of the female gaze. In between tarot readings and a spooky candlelit ceremony, we chatted with Wilson about her style icons (she’d steal the late drag queen Divine’s wardrobe if given the chance), jewelry preferences, what it was like to wear a real snake for the campaign photos and more.

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It’s a lot of clothes — it may be easier to identify the trends that didn’t show up on the French runways this Spring 2027 season. Instead, we picked out 10 that felt so fresh, or were so ubiquitous, that we felt they couldn’t be ignored: texture play via 3-D embellishments, netting and crinkled fabrics, cool takes on classic button-downs and rain jackets, revealing designs that put your abs on full display and more. Browse them all in the galleries below.

Petal Pushers

When it comes time to design for spring, designers must decide whether they'll eschew florals altogether or attempt to deliver them in a way that feels fresh. In Paris, many designers sought to push florals forward — literally — with 3-D appliqués and embellishments, and even one strategically placed pastie that practically jump off the runway.

Bubbling This Back Up

Good luck finding a seat on the subway wide enough for your voluminous bubble garments next spring. Designers had a lot of fun with the resurgent silhouette, resulting in puffed-out tunics at Acne, tiered pastel dresses at Chloé, billowing tulle gowns at Matières Fécales and more.

A Crinkle in Time

Big news for those of us who never feel like steaming our clothes: Intentionally wrinkly materials are all over Spring 2027 collections. Stella McCartney, Marie Adam-Leenaerdt, Alainpaul and others utilized fabrics like organza, georgette, taffeta and nylon that that tend to be stiff and crinkle easily; while others like Miu Miu, Maison Margiela and Hodakova seemed to manipulate fabric via wax and plastic coatings.

On the Flipside

What comes after Funnel-Neck-Jacket Fall? Popped Collar Spring. Alongside blazers and jackets, classic shirting was a big focus for designers this season, and many were styled with their collars flipped up — a trend anyone can achieve immediately. But most intriguing were the folded-over jacket lapels at Chanel, Lanvin, Louis Vuitton and Christopher Esber.

Icy Blue

While there were plenty of vibrant, fruity hues on the Parisian runways, we were most drawn to looks in this muted, icy shade of greyish-blue — seen everywhere from Carven to Cecilie Bahnsen to Tom Ford to Victoria Beckham.

Jump Around

A natural side effect of the sporty trend and budding resurgence of leggings and skinny pants, jumpsuits had a major moment this week. While Anrealage, Chloé and Junya Watanabe endorsed skin-tight versions; others like Tom Ford and Isabel Marant made cases for looser, more utilitarian styles.

Nothing but Net

Designers are always coming up with ways to make clothing that fails to conceal what's underneath it. For Spring 2027, Parisian designers expanded the fishnet concept far beyond tights — to pencil skirts, dresses, tops and more that veil skin and undergarments in a loosely woven texture.

Olive Juice

Olive green is set to do a lot of heavy lifting in our wardrobes next spring. The earthy color's sartorial versatility was on full display, skewing more utilitarian at Acne, Sacai and Jean Paul Gaultier, but totally glam at Alaïa, Schiaparelli and Mugler.

Rain on Me

With natural disasters on an upswing across the globe, it's no surprise that designers incorporated stylish weather-protective clothing into their spring collections. Chloé's transparent and shiny-coated raincoats were unforgettable. Practical-chic windbreakers and rain jackets also punctuated Alainpaul, Hermés, Lacoste and more.

Full Frontal

With visible bras dominating the first few Spring 2027 fashion weeks, Paris designers had to take things a step further by removing bras — and shirts — from the equation entirely. The chest and abdominal regions became a focal point for designers, revealed via wide-open jackets, strategic tummy cut-outs, bandeau "tops" and various other creative torso-baring configurations.

Also seen on several recent runways, this roomy, tapered-at-the-bottom silhouette has quickly become the fashion crowd’s trouser of choice across a wide variety of aesthetics. Take, for example, Tracee Ellis Ross and Gabriella Karefa-Johnson’s understated monochrome styling choices: Each style star put her own twist on a sporty version of the garment, with the former pairing the pants with a cozy knit and the latter adding a vintage Britney Spears tee for good measure.

Related: Milan Fashion Week Street Style Evoked a Sexy, Modern ‘Mad Men’

Other PFW attendees chose balloon pants rendered in rich velvet, structured wool, stretchy jersey and dressy satin. When it comes to styling, the right footwear is key to balance out the balloon pants’ bottom-heavy appearance: The Paris street-style crowd wore them with heeled thong sandals, Tabi flats, pointed-toe boots, soccer shoes and slim brogues.

Keep scrolling to see all the ways PFW showgoers styled balloon pants for the Spring 2027 shows.

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What’s the opposite of gatekeeping? Welcome to “Payment Processing,” in which we ask stylish, generally cool people who’ve tried it all about their favorite fashion and beauty buys.

When someone tells me they aren’t familiar with Mckenna Grace, I tell them they probably are, no matter what generation they’re from. The 20-year-old has been a working actor for 14 years. She’s perhaps best known for playing young Tonya Harding in “I, Tonya,” her Emmy-nominated stint in “The Handmaid’s Tale” and her roles in two “Ghostbusters” movies. In 2025, she starred alongside her real-life boyfriend, Mason Thames, in “Regretting You,” a film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, on which she also served as an executive producer.

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And she’s not slowing down. Grace has a handful of buzzy films slated through early 2027 (notably, for this interview: “Scooby-Doo: Origins”), as well as new music; plus, she’s currently the face of Crocs’ cozy fall/winter campaign.

We caught up with Grace on a Crocs set in Los Angeles to chat about her favorite luxury lip oils, drugstore makeup finds and her dreams of having Adéla-pink hair.

What’s a luxury beauty item you’re into right now? Why?

I like the little Dior lip oils, especially because they’ve come out with a lot of purple stuff lately. I’m very much in my purple vibes lately. That’s my era. So I like the Dior purple blushes and their lip oils.

What’s a drugstore/mass market beauty item you love?

Any sort of eyeliner. I especially like getting a nude or a white that I can put on my waterline. I heard somewhere that it makes your eyes pop. But also, I saw it on TikTok actually, I love the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Mascara.

What’s an accessory you’re eyeing right now?

I’m trying to get more in my sunglasses game… I’ve been looking for any sort of purple sunglasses or things like that, but I’ve loved Miu Miu’s sunglasses lately. I think that they’re really pretty.

What shoes do you want to buy right now?

I walked in and I saw [the Crocs Chalet Clogs] today. They’re so cute with the little ribbons. I feel like it’d be really cute to wear these and get a ribbon that looks like that and put it in my hair.

What’s a fall fashion must-have you swear by?

I love cozy socks. I love knitted knee-high. Right now I’m wearing the sheer one that goes with my Crocs. I love a little grandpa sweater moment. Any sort of cozy thing: a scarf, a sweater, knee-highs.

Have you been influenced by a celeb or influencer recently?

Between Adéla, and there’s this influencer that I really like, I think her name is Miranda Ray. She always has really colorful hair and she’ll pop up on my For You Page every once in a while. It’s making me want to have pink hair, but I don’t think my job would like that. It’s not a product or anything, but I feel like I really want pink or colorful hair.

Of all the characters you’ve played, which one’s wardrobe did you love the most?

I definitely loved [Scooby-Doo’s] Daphne Blake’s wardrobe, and I feel like that’s pretty self-explanatory. Everything in my life is slowly becoming purple. I definitely maybe stole a few items. I did steal a lot of my wardrobe from “Regretting You” because it was really cute, easy, everyday items. And coincidentally, that was Erinn [Knight], who was our costume designer on “Regretting You,” [and] was our costume designer on “Scooby.” So that makes sense as to why I loved both of those characters’ wardrobes.

For Meryll Rogge’s sophomore collection at Marni, the designer unveiled colorful shift dresses, belted silhouettes and quirky sequin skirts. At Alberta Ferretti, jewel tones exploded on the runway via patterned balloon pants, feather-tipped skirts and romantic lace-lined slips. Jil Sander reimagined its signature minimalist approach with a slightly undone quality, and MSGM embraced coordinating tie-dye sets and psychedelic-looking prints. Meanwhile, Prada embodied the bra-and-skirt trend sweeping the Spring 2027 runways with its 63-look, skirt-centric collection.

Click through the galleries below to see Fashionista’s favorite Spring 2027 collections from Milan Fashion Week.

Alberta Ferretti Spring 2027

Bottega Veneta Spring 2027

Diesel Spring 2027

Ferragamo Spring 2027

Jil Sander Spring 2027

Marni Spring 2027

MM6 Maison Margiela Spring 2027

MSGM Spring 2027

Prada Spring 2027

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Of course, the weather played a part. In New York City, the 80-degree temperatures and high humidity caused a “fuck it, it’s hot” vibe. But still, it was in the high 70s for MFW, so most of the crowd dressed more for style than comfort. Layers were everywhere, with office-inspired looks featuring on-trend twists like visible bras (also big at NYFW), sheer skirts, cropped blazers and tons of mixed prints.

If London Fashion Week’s “Gossip Girl”-esque street style took us back to school, Milan is the sexier, modern “Mad Men” version. Keep scrolling to see the best street style looks from outside the Spring 2027 shows in Milan.

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A good heel adds polish and sophistication to a look that flats simply can’t match, but for the average person, comfortable heels are hard to come by. Re-enter wedges: Supportive, sturdy and easier than a stiletto, they’re a simple answer for anyone seeking a little extra height (and, for city dwellers, getting a heel caught in a subway grate becomes one less thing to worry about).

Once seen as clunky and plain (at best), the wedge is making a comeback with sleeker, more stylish iterations. They’ve had a strong presence on runways for a few seasons now; most recently, Sandy Liang put her playful stamp on the style for her Spring 2027 New York Fashion Week show.

According to Cate Khan, CEO of Trendalytics, the trend is part of a larger shift in footwear preferences: “Consumers are gravitating toward low-profile silhouettes, opting for shoes that are sleek but visually interesting. I think that’s where wedges come in,” she says. “We’re seeing more minimal, sculptural and eye-catching iterations, whether in sandals or peep-toe wedge boots.”

Trendalytics reports average weekly searches for wedges are up 14% year over year, with market adoption climbing 28% as they show up in Pre-Fall 2026 collections from designers like Ulla Johnson and Diesel. But it’s street style that’s pushing the trend further, Khan notes. “TikTok views for wedges are growing by eight million per week, fueled by buzzy brands like Naked Wolfe, especially following its NYFW brand activation,” she tells Fashionista.

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The especially polarizing wedge sneaker, popularized by Isabel Marant in the early 2010s, is part of this comeback as well. Anyanna Anako (@fashunadict), who’s built a following online for her trend forecasting videos, noticed this on the resale market. “It was when I first saw the Isabel Marant sneakers come back into popularity. It was very much in the early adopters phase, as I remember being able to find them for as low as €70 ($80) on Vinted,” she says. The sneakers now sell for upwards of $140 on resale apps like Depop and Poshmark, and searches are up 48% year over year, according to Trendalytics.

Anako also points out that bottom (pants, skirts, etc.) and shoe trends are reciprocal; and as we head back into an era of skinny jeans, a slim wedge silhouette is complementary. “People really want that 2010s vintage look with the skinny jeans. The more authentic, the better,” she says.

The shoe style is “projected to continue experiencing accelerated growth over at least the next 18 months,” per Khan, so the verdict is in: The wedge has officially “wedged” itself back into the zeitgeist. Below, see (and shop!) our favorite wedge heels of the moment.

Dolce Vita Birk Wedges, $130, available here

Kinadese Shakira Fringe Heels, $120, available here

Akira Azalea Wang Vincent Plaid Printed Open Toe Boot, $100, available here

Jeffrey Campbell Romee-F, $230, available here

Chelsea Paris Jarvis, $450, available here

Xarea Crush Wedge, $140, available here

Puma Speedcat Wedge, $120, available here

Gimaguas Slip-On Wedge, $313, available here

Amina Abdul Jalil Misa Wedge, $598, available here

Black Suede Studio Alper 70 Mule, $395, available here

Tony Bianco Milan Chocolate Venice, $190, available here

Isabel Marant Bekett Sneaker, $815, available here

Reformation Gabriella Wedge, $298, available here

Aeyde Suzanne Mesh Wedge Sandals, €345 ($393), available here

Fredal Salvador Peyton Heel, $478, available here

Jamie Haller Kit Slide, $695, available here

Kkira Nellie, $1,424, available here

Maile Etsu Pink Orange Feather Wedge, $380, available here

Maryam Nassir Zadeh Ballet Wedge, $580, available here

Le Monde Beryl Victoria Wedge Knotted, $735, available here

Khy Muse Thong Wedge, $390, available here

Maeve Wedge Mules, $158, available here

With all the (figurative) hats she wears, Akers has also recently found the time to be in front of the camera: She joins fellow fashion stylists Dani Michelle and Elizabeth Stewart as the faces of U Beauty’s “Styled From Neck to Décolleté” campaign. They each appear in self-styled portraits featuring The Sculpt Neck + Décolleté Concentrate, highlighting “the essential first step” for every look, per press materials.

Ahead, Akers shares her thoughts on celebrity dressing, styling yourself and the upcoming project she’s most excited for (we are, too).

What’s one piece of styling advice you’d give a celebrity client that you find yourself coming back to again and again?

To just not take yourself too seriously. I think Rihanna is a huge success in fashion because it doesn’t look like she takes herself too serious[ly]. Doja Cat even. They’re doing what looks good, what feels good to them. And then everyone else I think has had to evolve in that way…It’s fashion. We are not over here doing rocket science. We are not curing cancer.

What have you learned from working with your celebrity clients that’s changed the way you approach styling?

The way I approach styling is really [about] realizing and acknowledging that it’s a collaborative effort. I’m not here to place a costume on you or just give you a look. It has to be in you as well. Most of the time I’m working with women who are powerful in their own right. I have to acknowledge that process. I often try to give them what they ask for and things that I know that they’re comfortable with, and then also have a rack of things that I know I want to try. That person has to walk out, be confident, feel good.

What’s one piece that everyone should have in their wardrobe this fall?

A beautiful coat. The coat is going to save you. The jacket is the dress.

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What are some of the biggest styling mistakes you see people making when getting dressed for an important event?

I think that often people overdo it. Sometimes the hair has to be simple or the makeup has to be simple. I think when everyone’s trying to have their big moment, they don’t consider the woman that’s wearing the thing and the woman that’s going out on the carpet. Everything needs to have a balance.

For the U Beauty campaign, you’re stepping in front of the camera and styling yourself. How was that different from styling a client?

It’s just easier. I don’t talk back. I know what I like. I know how to dress myself and I know what looks good on me. I went over to my showroom, grabbed a couple of things that I thought would look good and powerful. But recently I’ve been kind of struggling [with] what to wear. I’m not going to lie. I feel like I’ve turned 40 and I’m hitting this curve and I’m somewhere in between feeling younger and feeling more mature and not knowing the balance. Hence the black T-shirt with the feathers that I have on today.

The neck and décolleté can completely change a look. How do you think about that area when you’re styling someone?

I am constantly considering the neck and déc when I’m styling because [when] I’m styling someone like Chaka Khan, who often wears big hair but is a little more petite in size, I need to keep her neck long. We’re going to do long earrings with her long hair. We’re almost never going to do a necklace. We like to keep the neck long and lean, keep the chest kind of open.

Are there any fashion brands or designers you’re particularly excited about right now?

Probably what most excites me at the moment is working on my own collection. My cousin and I are exploring some new designs and to kind of step it back into that space of actually developing product is exciting.

I really love to watch the growth and evolution of my really good friend, Sergio Hudson. I mean, just watching how women really show up for him and really how he makes women feel. And to watch him evolve into a brand with real staying power is really beautiful. I also have always commend[ed] Brandon Blackwood for the way he evolved from the “End Systemic Racism” handbag to just being a known go-to bag for the girls. I love watching his evolution and we actually have a really cool project coming up really soon. I can’t give you too many details, but it’s exciting.

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This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

The style’s moniker speaks for itself: Just like a good ol’ Midwestern mullet, the hemline is short in the front (business) and long in the back (party). Depending on your persuasion, it’s a welcome return for nostalgiamaxxers like myself — my very 2017 homecoming look was a black mullet-hem dress — or merely a reminder that everything comes back around in fashion.

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Wherever you fall, designers are breathing new life into the knee-baring silhouette this season. Back in the 2010s, celebrities like Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga and Selena Gomez rocked a rather bulky version of the style, but now, the hemline is noticeably lighter and sleeker. Over in Copenhagen, Almada Label and The Garment introduced sheer, breezy iterations that mirrored the movement of gauzey capes. The Danish designers also played with textures, as seen in By Malene Birger’s feather-detailed mullet tank, Herskind’s fringe-tipped top and OpéraSport’s tactile dresses.

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In New York City, minimalist mullets at Lii and Michael Kors juxtaposed billowing high-low trains at Christian Cowan and Aknvas. Several designers took more of a sideways approach to the mullet hem’s asymmetry: Monse, Simkhai and LaQuan Smith all draped the hemline over one leg, rather than equally baring both knees. Meanwhile, Bibhu Mohapatra presented feather-lined mullet hems, while Conner Ives reimagined the silhouette as a drop-waist mint green slip.

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The London designers had some fun with the asymmetrical hem (the Brits love a mullet, after all) as Erdem unveiled bustle-like skirts, Bora Aksu explored a particularly frilly interpretation and Dreaming Eli embraced high-low lace dresses. For its London Fashion Week return, McQueen debuted bulbous knee-baring gowns that heightened the drama of the 2010s-era red-carpet mainstay. Also intriguing: Keburia applied Grecian-like draping to the mullet-hem silhouette, Lovebirds paired bright-yellow bloomers with an elongated skirt and Aaron Esh’s sheer layered slip dresses revealed colored tights.

With Milan Fashion Week in full swing and Paris on the horizon, we’ll likely see even more of the high-low hemline that once had millennial celebrities in a chokehold. Ahead, see all of the mullet-hem looks from the Spring 2027 runways (so far).

Mullet Hems at Copenhagen Fashion Week

Mullet Hems at New York Fashion Week

Mullet Hems at London Fashion Week

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“A skirt may be abstracted, a fragment of a whole with a mutating rapport with the pieces it juxtaposes: a sweater, a shirt, a bra top, can each suggest alternate readings of a whole,” read the show notes. At Prada, some bras were slightly obscured by a jacket or shirt, but most were worn solo in a powerful co-sign of an outfit formula we’ve been seeing throughout the Spring 2027 shows, from New York to London to Milan.

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Sandy Liang (whose designs often have a certain Prada-ness to them) included a number of bra tops, paired with both skirts and culottes, in her show styled by Dean DiCriscio. She aimed to evoke the joy of being outdoors in the spring by focusing on utilitarian functionality through a princess-y lens. “It’s technical dressing filtered through fantasy, practicality made precious, for the girl who lives in a fairytale, whose home team is Versailles,” read the show notes.

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Also in New York, Altuzarra Spring 2027 featured several skirts styled with bras, mostly peeking through an open shirt or sweater towards the end of the collection. Inspired by Casa Susanna, a retreat in the Catskills where men would gather to dress as women in the 1960s, the designer aimed to capture their spirit with “a wardrobe that explores self-invention, nostalgia and the liberating possibilities of summer,” the show notes read. The clothes became more feminine and expressive as the show progressed; towards the end, “femininity is no longer contained beneath the surface but breaks through it,” per the show notes. “The wardrobe moves from the uniforms of everyday life toward something more expressive, romantic and free.”

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Later on in London, Mowalola showed minimalist bra-and-skirt looks in an effort to “return, laser-focused, to the codes that first defined her brand’s inception: autonomy, sensuality and a radical liberation of self,” according to the show notes. Worn alongside sharp pencil skirts, these looks apparently offer a new approach to office wear. “I’m running my company, and I wouldn’t dress like a ‘CEO’” Mowalola said in a statement. “This is how I show up – and these are the women like me: other women who enjoy, and find power in, their sensuality.”

Whether it’s for your incredibly open-minded office (I dare someone to wear this while holding an iced coffee at their next job interview), a playful way to beat the summer heat or an accidentally chic getting-ready outfit you wear at home before deciding on a real shirt, the bra-and-skirt combo is undeniably appealing.

Ahead, see how this trend is showing up across Spring 2027 runways.

Spring 2027 Runway Trend: Bras With Skirts

Fittingly, most of the Spring 2027 trends we spotted across London runways are rooted in color play, subversion of conventional garments, using old-school materials in new ways and visible handiwork (a rebellion against AI, perhaps?).

Scroll through the galleries below for the eight coolest Spring 2027 trends we spotted at LFW.

Underwear as Outerwear

Lingerie staples are all over the Spring 2027 runways. Whereas New York designers tended to let bras peek out beneath jackets, the Brits have put them front and center: At Agro Studio, Ashley Williams and Erdem, bras and corsettes were worn on TOP of garments; while others like Knwls, Alexander McQueen and Mowalola did little — or nothing — to cover them.

New World Organza

Designers across the pond are modernizing organza, a sheer textile that dates back 2,000 years and was traditionally associated with wedding gowns and frilly prom dresses. And it's never looked cooler, from the colorful, metallic-looking pieces at McQueen and Mulberry, to the relaxed translucent separates at Mowalola and Lovebirds. Meanwhile, Pauline Dujancourt, Susan Fang and Simone Rocha used innovative techniques to create statement-making textural gowns and scarves out of the material.

Cloudy Skies

Pale, washed-out colors were all over the London runways, but blue was the most ubiquitous: Designers dialed down the intensity of baby blues, sky blues, teals and aquatic shades across outerwear, suiting, dresses and more.

Aprons to 'Serve' In

Fashion's embrace of the humble kitchen apron continues after Miu Miu's apron-forward Spring 2026 collection, via Talia Byer, Bora Aksu, Natasha Zinko and others. Is it giving tradwife? Is it subverting gender norms? Is it just cute? Let's let the wearers decide.

Physical Touch

It's hard to imagine that any major hub of designers could be more resistant to AI design than London's, where creativity and innovation reign supreme. So it's not a surprise that Spring 2027 collections were rife with details and techniques that very clearly reflect the work of physical human hands: Unfinished hems, hand draping, multimedia work, myriad fabrics patchworked together and other feats of manual manipulation were seen everywhere from Ashley Williams to Chopova Lowena to Yuhan Wang and beyond.

Choking Up

We saw a range of neck-encircling accessories across the London runways: Choker necklaces went punk at Chopova Lowena and more glam at Di Petsa, while mini scarves and fabric chokers had a more delicate vibe at Agro Studio and John Richmond.

Shrug it On

The shrugs and boleros that (barely) covered our arms circa the early-to-mid 2000s are very much back. London provided quite a variety: stretchy knit shrugs at Ashley Williams and Agro Studio, sheer options at Bora Aksu and Chopova Lowena and purely decorative (and beautiful) boleros at Annie's and Dreaming Eli.

Neck and Neck

While accessories provided neck coverage at some shows, many had it built in via turtleneck designs that turn out to me more spring-appropriate than you might think. Sleeveless turtlenecks were especially ubiquitous, as seen at Erdem, Edeline Lee, McQueen, Roksanda and more.

Related: NYFW Showgoers Get Casual for the Spring 2027 Shows

But these academia-adjacent looks offered surprising range. Sure, there were plenty of expectedly prim, tailored ensembles typically associated with prep school uniforms. (Headmaster Charleston would approve.) But creative showgoers also got playful by subverting stereotypes and personalizing the back-to-school aesthetic with punk or boho elements. Combat boots, asymmetrical hemlines, wallet chains, Kangol hats, vivid color schemes, baseball caps and black leather came into rotation, lending just enough edge to keep all those Mary Janes and socks from looking overly twee.

Keep scrolling to see all our favorite street style looks from London Fashion Week Spring 2027.

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Rather than throwing in the towel, the British Fashion Council/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2026 finalist revisited an unrealized collection she designed in 2020 entitled “Rising From the Ashes.” Perhaps in a stroke of serendipity, Onalaja reworked her original sketches through the lens of a phoenix, drawing upon her experience with the devastating fire and her courage to start from scratch. The particularly poignant collection, which debuted at LFW on Sunday, explores “a new story of a rebirth, moving from the darkness into a new life,” Onalaja tells Fashionista.

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Separated into three stages — The Burn, The Ash and The Rebirth — Onalaja’s Spring 2027 offering begins with textural burnt oranges mirroring crackling embers and molten lava before settling into a smokey gray color palette representing stillness. Just as the dust settles, flashes of color and light emerge from the darkness, symbolizing a brand reborn. Intentionally broken beads embellish evening gowns, while fringe and feathers abound, fusing the label’s signature ’70s “disco glam” aesthetic with phoenix-inspired motifs.

“We’re in an in-between [moment] where we know who we are as a brand, but it’s like a new beginning and it’s a time for us to explore a slightly different path,” she says.

Rewinding to Onalaja’s fashion beginnings, the British-Nigerian designer pursued a master’s degree in fashion design at Istituto Marangoni and later worked as an embroidery consultant. While collaborating with other designers, Onalaja got a first-hand look at the industry’s size-inclusivity issue: She noticed most sizing stopped at a U.K. 12 (U.S. 8), with the largest she saw going up to a U.K. 26 (U.S. 22).

“I wanted to create a brand that fused the size inclusivity aspect, but also it was an expression of my heritage and being able to take things that I’ve learned over time, cultures that we have in Nigeria, and fuse it with my love for textures and embroidery,” Onalaja explains.

Thus, in 2014, Onalaja founded her own luxury label, which she calls a “maximalist dream.” Rooted in craftsmanship and cultural storytelling (the designer hails from the Yoruba and Edo tribes), Onalaja’s vibrant offering explodes with beads, tassels, sequins, feathers, fringe and crystals. The designer’s penchant for intricate embroidery shines throughout the label’s assortment, which already stands apart in the occasionwear space thanks to its extended 2XS to 5XL size range.

“When you walk into a room, people can hear you,” Onalaja said, reflecting on what initially drew her to textural techniques. “It was about creating very statement pieces with the embroidery.”

And statement pieces are exactly what the brand’s customer is searching for. The Onalaja woman is a “global citizen,” filling her social calendar with parties and galas. With the label’s prices ranging from $130 to $6,680, the Onalaja consumer is looking for clothing with a deeper connection. This isn’t an audience merely seeking overpriced elevated basics; Onalaja’s tactile wardrobe, which is built on three-dimensional ornamentation, caters to its community’s appetite for individuality.

Onalaja already counts multiple celebrities among its fans — Chloe Bailey, Jennifer Hudson and Lizzo, to name a few — and it also recently crafted a custom look for Olivia Dean’s “The Art of Loving Live” tour. At her Atlanta concert, Dean donned the label’s Zellie Slip Maxi Dress, an elongated gown with three-dimensional embroidery inspired by the African tradition of body marking. “A lot of the scars and a lot of the bead placements would be exactly where they would be on a body,” Onalaja notes.

But how do these glittering gowns actually come together? For each collection, Onalaja starts by nailing down her fabrics, embroideries and prints. Then, she “work[s] backwards” to incorporate her beloved ’70s references, often turning to Studio 54 or Diana Ross. “I always focus on texture and fabrication first and then infuse the silhouette after so that the embroidery is the standout and then the silhouette complements it,” Onalaja says. The label collaborates with artisans worldwide, but the designer handles all final finishings.

As a demi-couture label, Onalaja operates on a made-to-order business model. Each garment is handcrafted with intention, which helps prevent overproduction. As she continues to gradually scale the business, the designer notes that the label is exploring more capsule collections, along with expanding into footwear and accessories. Currently, Onalaja is stocked at major players like Revolve, Saks Fifth Avenue and Cult Mia, in addition to its global retail presence across the U.S., the U.K., the UAE, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa.

“We cater to women that luxury forgot, especially with the size inclusivity and every woman being a different body type,” Onalaja said. “So our retailers really respect that and they really champion our larger sizes and our very small sizes as well.”

Looking ahead, retail expansion is on the horizon for Onalaja. With one brick-and-mortar flagship in Lagos under its belt, the designer wants to continue building out the brand’s retailers in different regions, along with hosting more IRL activations with its community. After all, Onalaja’s tactile pieces — dresses dripping with beaded fringe and sparkling with sequins — benefit from in-person discovery.

“We’re at such a crossroads of rebuilding and trying to find out what our new story is,” she says. “Even though we do have some core pillars, for me, it’s an interesting journey because we’re also seeing and learning and seeing where this rebirth will take us.”

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Some trends were difficult to pin down this time, which speaks to how varied (and stacked) the New York schedule has become, and perhaps the increasingly individualized evolution of personal style in general. But there were some clear standouts: Sweaters and scarves moved from our shoulders to our waists; a winner was chosen in the battle of capris vs. culottes; primary and diluted colors all found their place and traditional details like buttons and symmetrical sleeves were rendered irrelevant.

Scroll through the galleries below for nine NYFW trends you should definitely know about.

Low Tied

For too many seasons to count, the practice of artfully tying a clothing item — usually a sweater or a scarf — around models' shoulders was every designer's go-to runway styling trick. The preppy trend has finally loosened its grip and, for Spring 2027, these items — suit jackets at Coach, silk shirts at Cult Gaia, light knits at Tibi and fringe scarves at Heirlome — are instead being styled around models' waists. It feels more down to down-to-earth (literally and figuratively).

Bras Out

New York designers proposed a solution to something showgoers dealt without throughout the week: overheating and sweating under our clothes. The answer: just leave your blouses, jackets and cardigans wide open. (Were buttons, like walkable shoes, in short supply?) But make sure you have a really pretty (or outfit-matching) bra on underneath.

Primary Source

Many designers went back to the literal basics when it came to choosing their Spring 2027 color palettes: Primary colors — red, yellow and blue, in their purest forms — were all over the runways, underscoring the Americana vibes at Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren, and bringing a playful feel to TWP and Sergio Hudson. "Luminous Blue," the 2027 color of the year, was especially popular.

Sheer-Review

It's official: The naked skirt is the new naked dress. There's something so fun and subversive about pairing an otherwise conservative outfit with a see-through skirt, as seen at Calvin Klein, Eckhaus Latta, Brandon Maxwell and Thom Browne. That said, wearing revealing separates from head to toe is also an option; see: Aknvas, Prabal Gurung and Vettese.

Wearing Thin

The resurgence of long, skinny, purely decorative scarves, largely popularized in the 2000s boho-chic era, continues into Spring 2027. They do put excess fabric to good use, and given their size, they shouldn't cost too much at retail. (Recession indicator?)

Good as Marigold

Spring 2027's most overwhelmingly popular color was marigold: It felt like the floral orange-y yellow was popping up at every runway, from Ashlyn and Emily Dawn Long, to Carolina Herrera and Michael Kors — and it's not even a "color of the year" ...yet.

Right to Bare Arm

One of Spring 2027's least straightforward trends involved deliberate attempts to subvert the traditional two-sleeve (or -strap) concept we've come to expect from clothing. At Collina Strada, Cult Gaia, Rio and 6397, models walked the runway looking liked they'd begun the process of removing their sweater and just decided to stop with one arm out. Carolina Herrera achieved the cardigan equivalent of whatever that was. Elsewhere — Zankov, Ashlyn, Grace Ling and others — garments were designed to keep one arm (or at least part of it) free and bare, while clothing the other. Good luck with hangers!

Modern Mauvel

For whatever reason, it's rare to encounter a pink-free collection these days; this season, several designers seemed unable to decide what shade of pink to go with, so perhaps they mixed them all together to create an assortment of muted, dusty mauves.

Big 'Lottes

Capris and culottes are going neck-and-neck (calf-and-calf?) for the title of fashion's favorite cropped pant silhouette, and judging by the New York collections, culottes may be winning. The elongated shorts came in all shapes in sizes: sleek and tailored at Fforme and Calvin Klein, big and baggy at Area and Collina Strada, and even sequined at Patbo and Advisry.

Showgoers swapped heels for sensible flats, loafers, ballet sneakers, low-profile trainers, thong sandals and all manner of boots (cowboy, construction, Chelsea — you name it). Breezy skirts, oversized Bermuda shorts, baggy jeans rolled down at the waist, denim skirts and, yes, jorts served as the grounding focal points for most looks. Graphic T-shirts, ribbed tank tops and easy button-downs were popular top choices.

This laissez-faire approach to personal style extended to showgoers’ beauty choices, too: The most-worn looks included tousled waves, natural curls, center parts and low ponytails, usually appearing in combination with no-makeup makeup.

Keep scrolling to see the dressed-down street style looks from outside the Spring 2027 shows in New York.

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As showgoers took their seats at the New York Live Art theatre on Friday afternoon, a giant rendering of a head stood center stage, with four models covered head-to-toe in gray, ruched, figure-hugging dresses slowly walking and posing around it. Then the lights dimmed, and the real show began: The models continued to slowly walk around the statue while two additional models walked in dressed in voluminous ball gowns.

“We meet our society on the last day on Planet Silk,” designer Jackson Wiederhoeft explained of the opening act in a backstage interview. “The reasons are not necessarily known, but we do the generations past, present and future. They are harvesting, collecting and always on the hunt.”

Eventually, the true runway show began, with a glamour-filled lineup (to be expected given Wiederhoeft’s couture-trained roots). The collection hones in on eveningwear and bridal, with back-to-back looks defined by their intricate corsetry, beadwork and lace detailing.

“A lot of what you see here is more hyper-feminine and more girly compared to what we usually do…I really wanted to honor the client this season. Especially with us only doing one collection a year, I really wanted to honor what the client was looking for,” he added.

Closing out the show, a model walked in a cream-hued, shimmering draped gown, holding a (fake) baby. “[The symbolism of the baby] is up for everyone to decide,” he told a group of press.

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Ahead, see every look from the Wiederhoeft Spring 2027 collection.

Wiederhoeft Spring 2027

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The late artist, playwright, novelist, nightclub singer, Emmy Award-winning comedy writer and professional wrestler (!) had a distinctive presence in New York City’s cultural scene. (And even performed at the Judson in the 1960s.) Comey and her team went into Drexler’s archive and pulled out imagery, writing and ideas to inform the collection. It’s not a literal interpretation of her work, but more so an exploration of her life and legacy through colors, shapes, textures and motifs.

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According to press materials, Drexler’s independence, humor and ability to move between different creative disciplines remind Comey of her customers, whom the brand characterizes as “fiercely independent, courageous, fun and good-looking.”

Models came down the runway in vibrant shades of green, with some looks paired with sequin fringe between layers of tulle. These colors came from Drexler’s paintings and photographs, with greens, cobalt blue, lilacs and bold color combinations shown throughout the show.

As a nod to the multi-hyphenate’s wrestling career (under the name Rosa Carlo), championship-belt motifs became coin paillettes on sport-inspired shorts. Drexler’s painting techniques were translated into fabric treatments, and actual ephemera from Drexler’s time at the Judson popped up throughout the collection, printed on bags, silk scarves, T-shirts and shoes. Again, they aren’t literal reproductions of her work, but instead “fragments rearranged,” according to the brand.

The collection’s accessories include sequin fringe carryalls, belt bags and a silver clutch that’s a partnership with chocolate brand, Unreal.

“We’ve got a lot of chocolate in the development office to R&D and figure out how many tiny pieces we can hide in our outfits,” Comey joked backstage. “We like pockets, so we made a chic bag so you can put your bag in another bag filled with chocolates.” The bag features graphic striped cotton lining with colors pulled from Unreal’s brand and Comey’s Spring ’27 collection. The Coco Bag retails for $425 and is available for pre-order.

Ahead, see all the looks from Rachel Comey’s Spring 2027 collection.

Rachel Comey Spring 2027

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As usual, Copenhagen Fashion Week already teased a handful of street style trends we can expect to make their rounds in New York, London, Milan and Paris. What else is Team Fashionista predicting to see outside the Spring 2027 shows? We expect sporty aesthetics to infiltrate this season’s outfits, along with luxury It bags. Plus, it’s not September fashion week without preparing for a potential heatwave — so we’re betting on lots of chic sandals and lightweight, breathable bottoms.

Whether you’re making last-minute outfit preparations or want to stay updated on what fashion insiders are wearing, we’ve compiled a list of the standout items we predict to see take over the NYFW street style crowd this season below.

Balloon Pants

Barrel pants are giving way to an even more abundant silhouette this season. For fall, fashion’s most stylish people are embracing balloon trousers. Defined by their billowy shape that tapers at the ankle, this pants style dominated the Fall 2026 runways, including Chloé, Moschino and Dior. Coming in a range of fabrics — such as linen, denim and cotton — and easy to style, balloon pants are a versatile yet practical trend.

Balenciaga Rodeo Bag

As “American Horror Story: Coven”‘s Myrtle Snow (Frances Conroy) said in her final remark, “Balenciaga!” The Balenciaga Rodeo bag — first introduced in February 2024 — has emerged as one of the It bags of 2026, co-signed by celebrities like Sarah Pidgeon and Lori Harvey. The slouchy leather tote is also a hot luxury resale item, with searches up 258% this year, per The RealReal’s 2026 Resale Report.

Heeled Thong Sandals

Last season, ballet sneakers were the trending hybrid shoe style to know. This time around, heeled flip-flops are coming for that title. Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner step out in the sleek shoe style often, and they’re a practical option for September’s warm temperatures. Plus, heeled thong sandals — specifically, Gucci’s Vittoria Heels and Massimo Dutti’s Toe Sandals — made it onto the hottest product list for Lyst Index Q2 2026.

Raglan Shirts

It’s been a sports-filled summer (U.S. Open! NBA championship! FIFA World Cup!), so of course we expect that sporty energy to make its way to the NYFW street style crowd. In particular, we’re anticipating lots of raglan shirts. Beloved brands including Guest in Residence, Tibi and Bode offer a range of the sporty tees, from graphic numbers to logoless styles.

Mathieu Blazy-Era Chanel Accessories

The fashion crowd is obsessed with Matthieu Blazy-era Chanel, as evidenced by the French Maison taking the top spot on the Lyst Index 2026 Q1 and Q2 as the world’s hottest brand. Fan-favorite accessories include the two-tone slingback pumps, the 2.55 Handbag, the Souplissimo Flap Bag and the ponyhair flats. And if any showgoers are feeling particularly daring, we might spot the infamous “sole-less sandals” on the street.

Mandarin Collars

Mandarin collars are experiencing a Western fashion revival, largely driven by the mainstream popularity of tang jackets. Although the trend has sparked online debates about whether it constitutes cultural appropriation, it hasn’t stopped brands like Adidas and Róhe from releasing Mandarin-collar garments.

Headscarves

The Copenhagen Fall 2026 street style crowd confirmed it: Headscarves are making their fashion week rounds this season. This multifunctional accessory is quite a versatile styling piece, from serving as a cute and functional hair accessory (no bad hair days here!) to doubling as a makeshift belt.

Lace-Trim Shorts and Skirts

Chalk it up to the “Wuthering Heights” effect or ’90s fashion nostalgia, but lace-trimmed, slip-style skirts and shorts have become considerably more popular lately. Street-style-wise, the romantic style is a more practical option for New York City’s humid weather. A-listers such as Olivia Rodrigo, Zendaya and Jennifer Aniston have co-signed the romantic look, plus Dôen’s Iona Shorts made eighth place on the Lyst Index Q2 2026 hottest products list.

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When “Practical Magic” was first released in 1998, it was considered a box-office failure. Critics panned it (Roger Ebert gave it two stars, blasphemously criticizing the iconic “This Kiss” scene), and it made only $46.7 million against its $75 million budget. Nearly 30 years later, though, it’s built a devoted following made up of OG fans and newer converts alike, drawn in by sisterhood, witchcraft and pre-whimsigoth ’90s style. We could sum it up as nostalgia, but it’s more than that.

This week, on Sept. 11, the highly anticipated sequel will hit theaters, but it comes with enough brand partnerships to put “Barbie” Summer to shame. Target rolled out graphic tees and cropped hoodies, while Wayfair built its first-ever film partnership around Owens house-esque home decor. Flamingo Estate curated a beautifully thought-out “Everyday Alchemy” seasonal box, while Ninja rolled out a whole line of Slushi machines in “Practical Magic”-inspired hues. Blaze Pizza joined in with a”Mystic Margherita” pie, and even M&Ms got in on the fun with its very own limited-edition “Spell and Snack” pack. The only thing we’re missing is a McDonald’s Happy Meal (which we fans would still happily buy). 

For Barbie, the MCU or any other kind of movie backed by a multi-billion-dollar franchise, that kind of marketing avalanche makes sense. But for a niche film about a family of witches who live under a centuries-old curse and make margaritas at midnight, it’s a little unexpected. So how could a 30-year-old “flop” become such a hot commodity that its merch rollout is this intense?

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Jannine D. Lasaleta, a professor at Yeshiva University whose research examines how nostalgia shapes spending, says that when we’re nostalgic, we care less about money. “The motivation to hold onto it, to make more of it, goes down… you’re more willing to spend it,” she says. (Which probably explains why millennials will pay top dollar to see the Backstreet Boys at the Sphere in Las Vegas.) Nostalgic memories are tied to feeling socially supported, she explains, and when you implicitly feel like your needs could be met by the people around you, money stops feeling as urgent to hold onto.

There’s a scarcity multiplier, too. Unlike Marvel or Barbie, “Practical Magic” IP isn’t everywhere, and that rarity, combined with the nostalgia, makes the moment feel more valuable when it does arrive. That’s also why she doesn’t expect the movie’s merch to trigger the kind of consumer fatigue that might hit other franchises. It simply was never everywhere to begin with. (Fans, like me, had to custom-make our own merch.) 

Nostalgia does something else, too: It gets folded into identity. “Nostalgic entities can facilitate a sense of self-continuity,” says Lasaleta — buying into something that shaped you as a teenager has a way of connecting who you were to who you are now. It’s also, she notes, tied to authenticity: Nostalgic objects feel more real to us than new ones, even when they’re objectively the same thing.

According to Stefany Lopes, the events and culture strategist at trend forecasting firm WGSN, the hype around “Practical Magic” goes beyond nostalgia. “It gives audiences a comforting world they can actively step into at a time when reality feels increasingly complex,” she says. “For millennials, the film offers emotional refuge and a return to something familiar. For Gen Z, it taps into a fascination with the perceived simplicity, intimacy, and analog charm of the 1990s, even if they did not experience the decade firsthand.”

Lopes also connected the moment to something WGSN has dubbed “the New-Age Mystics,” a youth subculture she flags as key for 2026. Young people rattled by climate anxiety and economic instability are building “personal belief systems shaped by Wicca, alchemy and folklore,” offering a sense of control outside organized religion. It makes sense — historically, in times of turmoil, people turn more to witchcraft and the occult. 

“Practical Magic 2” might appeal to some for comfort, aesthetics and plain old trend contagion, but it’s also happening during a perfect storm — a broader cultural turn toward magic as a coping mechanism. Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock’s sisterly chemistry is just the cherry on top. Lopes doesn’t see it slowing down, either, but she’s clear about the actual risk. “Cultural credibility comes from contribution, not visual borrowing,” she says. “Without that substance, brands risk being dismissed as ‘culture vultures’ rather than welcomed as meaningful collaborators.”

One of these meaningful collaborators is Awe Inspired, a jewelry brand that has built its identity around goddess mythology and female empowerment. It spent about a year building the collection with Warner Bros., working from real script pages and prop references. (“Practical Magic 2” isn’t the brand’s first film collaboration, either; it also did a collection for “Forbidden Fruits,” another witchy, if far smaller, film.) 

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But Jill Johnson, Awe Inspired’s co-founder and artistic director, says the film’s themes make this collaboration feel different. “It told the truth about how power moves between us, mother to daughter, sister to sister,” she says. “Every family carries its own mythology, the objects and stories we hand down without ever explaining why. That’s what drew us to this collaboration, the chance to turn that inheritance into something a woman can hold and one day pass to someone she loves.” Her son and co-founder, Max Johnson, adds: “It’s one of the few films that made women’s intuition look like strength instead of something to be tamed. Almost 30 years later, that idea feels more relevant, not less.”

Poppy and Pout, a “sustainable” lip balm brand, got the same kind of call on a much smaller scale. “We knew we wanted it to feel witchy, but modern,” says co-owner and chief brand officer Krysta Morgan. Her team leaned into their existing junk-journal aesthetic, with its collage-style packaging, florals and botanicals to create two flavors: Garden Spell and Midnight Margarita. 

But nobody has watched this shift more closely than the fans who were making their own “Practical Magic”-inspired merch years before the sequel was in motion. Ladymoon founder Lauretta Wong began designing items nearly a decade ago. Her Midnight Margarita Coven pin became a bestseller in what she calls a “niche little club” of fellow obsessives.  “I think once the internet witch became a whole-ass situation, everything witchy became popular again, and more and more people started coming out for that specific fandom,” she says. Over the past year, she’s noticed her sales ramping up, so she’s had to order triple what she normally would. 

Watching the official rollout, Wong was surprised and mostly delighted, but she noticed which brands did their homework and which didn’t. “It was really smart to include such a wide range of home, beauty and fashion products. Just like Sally and Gillian — it feels relatable.” She singled out Flamingo Estate for using sustainable mugwort instead of white sage in a smoke cleanser — a detail that shows the brand actually researched the tradition instead of borrowing its aesthetic. She questions others for either slapping an “inspired by ‘Practical Magic 2′” sticker on an already existing product or for what seemed like AI-generated work. “That doesn’t compel me to buy,” she says. Instead, she would have liked to see a cast iron cauldron collab with Smith & Clark, or an eye-shadow palette with a brand like Half Magic (though, given Half Magic’s ties to A24, a Warner Bros. crossover was probably never in the cards).

Kristina Babich and Justina Carubia have spent four years interviewing “Practical Magic” fan-artists on their podcast “Magnolia Street” (named after the street where the Owens sisters live), and they feel this tension firsthand. Babich had been waiting for this world to expand for years, watching earlier attempts, like the HBO prequel series “The Rules of Magic,” fall apart.

“For fans, there really wasn’t much of anything for such a long time,” says Babich, which is what makes her reaction to the current wave complicated. “The irony is that we went from having almost nothing to suddenly having so much that it can feel oversaturated,” she says. “I’m thrilled that the franchise is finally being celebrated on this scale. I just wish some of that celebration had been more intentionally rooted in the incredibly creative fan community that helped keep ‘Practical Magic’ alive in the first place.”

Carubia, for her part, describes herself as “somewhat of a purist” about the original film, and admits she’s approached this whole rollout with cautious excitement. Like Wong, her critique of the merch is more specific than “too much” — it’s about what’s missing. She wants more of what actually lived in the Owens house, such as apothecary jars, seed packets, herbs, beautiful glassware and kitchenware. “I’d much rather own something that makes another fan say, ‘Wait… is that a ‘Practical Magic’ reference?’ than something with the movie title printed across it,” she says.

Some of what’s rolled out so far, she says, is “giving ‘department store'” — with more contemporary, conventional looks over the thrifted, inherited, decades-collected wardrobe that the original film’s costumes by Judianna Makovsky evoked. “I don’t expect Sally and Gillian to still be wearing their ’90s wrap skirts and lace camisoles, as they’re at different stages in their lives, but the original wardrobe felt collected, lived-in and timeless,” she says.

The best collaborations, Carubia says, are “the ones that understand what fans actually love about ‘Practical Magic’, rather than simply recognizing that it’s having a moment and putting the name on another product.” Again, Aunt Jet did warn us. We wished for the sequel, and we got it — margarita blenders, M&Ms and all. 

If you don’t know Yulee Choi, you will soon. Her career in music stretches back more than a decade. The Korean singer-songwriter began her career as a composer. In 2020, she founded SRP Entertainment, where she developed and managed artists. In 2023, she launched her own solo career, followed by her first full-length album in 2024. Basically, she can’t be stopped.

It’s not just music, either. In 2025, Choi had her feature-film debut in Netflix’s “Food Truck: Stolen Love… and Moo Deng,” which catapulted her right into the rom-com world. Now, as she continues to build her career in the U.S., she’s using clothes, music and some major performances (just wait and see) to explore the different sides of her personality.

That’s especially apparent in her latest musical era. On Aug. 28, Choi released two new singles, “Honey On My Lips” and “Love All Over Me.” Each offers a different perspective on her evolving sound and look, with the accompanying music videos bringing those distinctions to life visually and fashion playing a central role in each song.

“The songs have different feelings,” Choi tells Fashionista. “‘Honey On My Lips’ is more playful and catchy; ‘Love All Over Me’ is more sexy and bold and confident.” She was involved in every aspect of bringing the songs to life, she explains, from the music and videos to the performances and fashion.

That creative, hands-on involvement has also helped shape Choi’s personal style. She describes it as “feminine and confident.” Her approach to getting dressed, whether alone or with the help of stylist Monica Rose, is rooted in that same confidence.

When Choi wants to feel especially self-assured, she reaches for a fitted dress that feels “feminine and sexy,” she says. And there’s one category in her closet she says she simply can’t live without: heels. “I love how I feel when I wear them,” she says.

When it comes to fashion inspiration, Choi looks to one of pop’s biggest style icons: Rihanna. Choi counts Ri as one of her favorite artists, pointing to her “strong character, performance and drama” that she looks up to. It’s an apt reference for an artist who is thinking about her music as a full visual experience, rather than simply a list of songs.

That approach was evident at Choi’s Aug. 28 release celebration at the iHeartRadio Los Angeles Theater, where she premiered both music videos and performed the new singles live with a team of dancers. (Just watch them move in the videos above and below.) The evening was hosted by iHeartRadio personality JoJo Wright, with creative direction and choreography from Richy Jackson, whose credits include Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande and Beyoncé. Rose styled Choi’s looks for the event and for her music videos.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Yulee for the past few years, and I’ve loved watching her style evolve,” Rose said in a statement. “She’s fearless; she trusts the process; she’s never afraid to take a fashion risk. With every project, we build a new fashion story together, creating a look that matches the energy of the moment.”

Choi is for sure meeting the moment — and whether it’s acting, music or being a boss, she isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Watch our interview with the star below.

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“That piece kicked off a whole new era for her,” Cheshire, England-based knitwear designer Paul Aaron recalls over email. “I was the first person to make the hibiscus flowers that became part of her looks, and it turned instantly recognizable…After that, her stylist had many designers making hibiscus pieces for her.”

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The Central Saint Martins graduate first got on celebrity stylists’ radar in 2018, when Rita Ora’s stylist, Karen Clarkson, commissioned a custom look for Ora’s headlining set at Manchester Pride. “From there, things really took off,” he says. “It only takes one person to believe in you and give you a chance to prove yourself.” To date, his work has been worn by Shakira, Christina Aguilera, Shenseea, Blackpink’s Lisa, Kylie Jenner and more.

Most recently, Aaron designed a piece for Hilary Duff: Her stylist Neelo Noory tapped the designer to create a silver, fringe, beaded gown for the artist’s “Lucky Me” tour. “I grew up watching her play Lizzie McGuire as a kid,” Aaron says. “So, getting to work with her and her team now, all these years later, is genuinely a full-circle moment.”

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Comprising more than 20,000 handwoven glass beads, the look was inspired by early-2000s party dresses — early Gianni Versace gowns were on the reference board. (“I wanted to bring that kind of gown back under the spotlight where it belongs,” he notes.) It took more than three months and 500 hours to put the dress together. Aaron says he hand-wove the glass beads between star crochet motifs to create the fabric, then embellished it with thousands of rhinestones and hundreds of meters of crystal chain for extra movement. “Every second was definitely worth it the moment I saw her wearing it on stage, especially watching it catch the light,” he says.

Would he consider any of these experiences his “big break,” though? Not quite. “I’ll let you know when that happens,” he says. “I’m currently being gatekept! But I am sure my big break will come soon.” 

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Aaron’s interest in fashion began with Barbie dolls. “I know, very typical,” he says. As a child, he’d play dress-up with his dolls and create new outfits for them from his mom’s old clothes. When he got older, he didn’t know what he wanted to do, so he applied for an art and design course at a community college. However, the school enrolled him in a Fashion Design and Textiles class instead. Clearly, what was presumably an accident turned out to be fate stepping in: He slowly fell in love with design and has never looked back.

Later, he attended Central Saint Martins. But despite it being one of the most notable fashion schools in the world, that wasn’t his favorite period of his life. “I didn’t have a great experience mainly because I didn’t have the resources a lot of the other students had,” he says. “If you don’t have the financial capacity to create what you imagine, it’s genuinely difficult. Scholarships meant for working-class students were often handed to kids who were already wealthy and didn’t need them […] it wasn’t always about pure talent and passion.”

He’d often skip class and grow his skills at home, he adds. He didn’t quite find his niche for beaded knitwear until after he graduated in 2020. “It came from a love of texture, and wanting to make absolutely everything by hand,” he says. “It is all personal — creating a piece out of imagination and watching it take form in front of you. I think it’s one of the most underrated feelings knitwear can give a designer; you’re not starting with a whole piece of fabric that you shape into a dress, but with a thread, building the entire thing from nothing.”

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Even with the complexity of Aaron’s designs, he still operates as a team of one — no interns, admin or patternmakers. He alone does all the sourcing, sketching, sewing, rhinestoning and fitting. It’s certainly not the easiest gig, and it’s even more frustrating when his hard work goes unrecognized.

“One of the biggest challenges for an emerging designer trying to get their big break is people not crediting our work,” he says. “It’s definitely difficult when you haven’t been born into the industry, especially at a time when there are barely any jobs for designers, and new individual brands are launching every single day.”

Lack of financial support is another common struggle for independent designers like Aaron: “There’s no real way to start a brand, build a full team, use the highest-quality materials — which are the foundation of your craft and what your clients will come to know you for — and still turn a profit, all at once,” he explains. “It’s simply almost impossible.”

It’s why he’s working to partner with financial investors before he launches a full-fledged brand. Until then, he’s focused on custom work and perfecting his craft (and starting to hire some help). Ultimately, he hopes to change the way we all think about knitwear.

“I’m positive that people will start to recognize the impact of Paul Aaron knitwear in redefining knitwear away from the stigma of ‘cozy-wear,’ and shaping the craft into the future of red-carpet and stage performance looks,” he says. “I truly believe this is only the beginning.”

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What’s the opposite of gatekeeping? Welcome to “Payment Processing,“ in which we ask stylish, generally cool people who’ve tried it all about their favorite fashion and beauty buys.

For those who have also spent hours wondering how Hailey Bieber’s glam looks like an IRL Instagram filter, let us introduce you to Mary Phillips. The makeup artist-turned-brand founder is behind some of Bieber’s best beauty moments, including her bronzed glow for this year’s Met Gala. She also counts Kendall Jenner, Megan Fox, Zoë Kravitz, Kaia Gerber and Bella Hadid among her A-list clientele.

As the mastermind behind these stars’ glow-from-within looks, Phillips is known for her signature “underpainting” technique (a method of contouring and highlighting beneath foundation for a sculpted, but natural, look). In 2025, Phillips brought this technique to the masses with her Sephora-exclusive beauty brand M.ph, which launched with the Underpainting Face Palette as its its hero SKU, alongside a cream blush, lipstick and lip liner. She even stars in a new Sephora campaign spotlighting MUAs-turned-founders: Danessa Myricks, Patrick Starrr (One/Size), Violette Serrat (Violette_FR), Nikki DeRoest (Ciele Cosmetics) and Natasha Denona are among those featured as well.

With more than two decades of makeup artistry experience, Phillips is particularly well versed in the beauty industry’s best products. Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream stands out as one of her favorite luxury skin-care staples, while Lancôme’s mascaras regularly top her restock list. Phillips’ taste for luxury also extends beyond the beauty world: Right now, she’s eyeing Chloé’s lavender jeans, Bottega Veneta earrings and The Row T-shirts.

Ahead, Phillips shares the affordable fashion staple she’s “obsessed with,” her best beauty advice, the lip product Bieber influenced her to buy and more.

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What’s a luxury beauty item you’re into right now?

The Lyma Laser. It’s a red light laser and it’s amazing. I’ve seen such a change in my skin. I know it’s pretty expensive. I was luckily given it. Or my Augustinus Bader Rich Cream. It is so luxurious. Morning and night with a couple drops of their facial oil is heaven.

What’s a budget beauty product at Sephora that you’re loving?

I’m obsessed with the Sephora brand waterproof eyeliners. They’re incredible.

What’s a beauty staple you love so much you’ve bought multiples?

Probably Lancôme mascaras. I’m such a fan of mascaras in general. I go through them really fast because I feel like they get gross when you have them for a little too long. Dior, the lash curl Diorshow mascara.

What’s a fashion accessory you’re eyeing right now?

Oh my gosh. What am I not eyeing? I’m really into the Chloé lavender jeans. Love a Bottega [Veneta] earring, love everything from The Row. I live across the street from it and it’s so dangerous.

What’s an affordable fashion item on your wishlist?

I’m obsessed with the Re/Done white and black plain tank tops, like the ribbed ones. They’re the best for summer, just with a pair of vintage jeans or a cute tight pair of jeans with some heels. They’re just great. Fit super well.

 What’s a wardrobe staple you love so much you’ve bought multiples?

I tend to buy in bulk when I love something. It’s probably a [The] Row T-shirt, honestly. They’re so crazy expensive for just a T-shirt, but they fit so well. And if I love them, I’ll buy three of them just to have because it’s a good white tee and I’m always scared I’m going to drop something on it and I won’t have it anymore. So while it’s in season, I need a few. 

What’s one piece of beauty advice we could all use?

A good foundation is so important… good skin care. Your skin is the base of everything. So investing in good skin care and a good foundation, I feel like you can’t go wrong. 

What’s the last product that one of your clients influenced you to buy?

Hailey Bieber got me to buy the Violette_FR Bisou Balm, and I’m obsessed. It’s a great product.

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“I’ve always told myself, ‘I will not leave this earth without having a fashion brand,'” she tells Fashionista. Consider that goal achieved: On Tuesday, the musician and fashion influencer launched her clothing line, Fabtopia. “Fashion to me is my favorite form of art,” she shares. “Being able to basically channel that into something that I can share with my audience was always something that I really, really wanted to do.”

Fabtopia takes her #Aliyahcore aesthetic — which Bah describes as alternative, eclectic and bold — and packages it into clothing that’s accessible to everyone. Ranging in size from XS-3X, the inaugural collection includes leg warmers, handbags and four crop-top and mini-skirt sets, all priced between $30 and $60 on shopfabtopia.com.

Bah started the development process two years ago after seeing other brands co-opt her image. It was her dad who encouraged her to take action: “[He] was like, ‘I feel like these brands are making so much money off you; you should just start your own brand. These girls really love the way you dress,'” Bah recalls. “He was the one who told me that and put that battery in my back that had me thinking, ‘Okay, you need to lock the fuck in.'”

The first order of business was landing on a brand name. It wasn’t easy to find a strong one that wasn’t already trademarked. Ultimately, Barbie’s “Fairytopia” — Bah’s favorite childhood movie — and McDonald’s’ discontinued Fruitopia drink — her go-to after-school beverage — emerged as unexpected sources of inspiration. 

“I have so many memories with the word ‘utopia’ in it, and I was like, ‘What do I say a lot to that’s cunt?’ Obviously I can’t use ‘cunt’ because that’d be crazy. But I say ‘fab’ a lot. So I decided on Fabtopia. It’s a utopia of fabulousness.”

Then came time to create the debut collection: an extension of Bah’s Aliyahcore aesthetic that would also, crucially, allow space for people to express their own individuality. “My brand ethos is all about acceptance, loving your body and just being really fabulous,” she emphasizes. “Going against the grain and wearing things that are super bold and eclectic and designing with that in mind — and [to] truly stop caring about perception — was really my biggest thing.”

Her moodboard was largely made up of photos of girl groups, including K-pop stars and the Spice Girls. Despite being too young to experience the latter at their peak (“My knowledge of the Spice Girls came from the movie ‘Chicken Little,'” she laughs.), she loves how each singer had a distinct personality and style, yet still looked collectively cohesive and “fab.”

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Fabtopia’s inaugural collection channels that “girl group” energy via matching sets that both stand out individually and complement each other. “I want this to be something that you can wear with your girls and go out, and people be like, ‘Oh, y’all all look so cute.’ Not just one person in the group, but everybody looks cute,” Bah says.

Size inclusivity was also a non-negotiable brand pillar for Bah. She’s witnessed firsthand how unaccommodating the fashion industry is to thicker bodies. Fabtopia challenges that gap head-on by offering up to size 3X. And contrary to what less-inclusive brands like to claim, it wasn’t difficult or extraordinarily costly to offer extended sizes. 

“Plus-size women deserve to look beautiful as fuck in every single thing that they wear,” she says. “A lot of brands do the cop-out thing where it’s like, ‘Oh, we can’t make this many sizes’ and all that stuff. But I feel like, in 2026, it’s just a lie. It’s really a lie because it wasn’t that hard to get bigger sizes. You just have to be really intentional about measuring and making sure it fits bigger women’s bodies properly.”

And intentional, Bah was: She spent months sending samples back and forth from the factory until the fit was perfect. She also taught herself every aspect of the business, from corporate jargon to profit margins to creating croquis to communicating with manufacturers (all thanks to the best teacher there is: YouTube). “I never want to be the type of person who goes into an industry without any set of skills and just tries to have a quick money grab,” she shares. “I wanted to be really intentional about my getting fashion education right.”

That thoughtful mentality trickled into her marketing tactics as well: Bah deliberately spotlighted Black women and plus-size models in Fabtopia’s first campaign. 

“When it comes to alternative fashion, a lot of Black women are not in the marketing, the design process or even in the photo shoots or social media,” she says. “Fabtopia will 100% be putting Black women first through all of it, although this is a brand for everybody.”

This decision isn’t just a performative money-grab: Behind the scenes, Bah sent 90% of Fabtopia’s PR packages to Black influencers. She also worked with a Black photographer and producer to bring the campaign to life. “Women of color deserve to see themselves in the forefront,” she adds. “We deserve to be alternative and see ourselves in that light.”

Already, Bah has plans for where she wants to take Fabtopia in the future. Runway shows, community events and a standalone store are on her vision board. 

“I really, really, really want to have a bigger impact so that my clothes are not just about buying stuff,” she says. “It’s more about entering a universe and a culture of queer joy, Black joy, alternative Black girl joy and alternative queer girl joy. I really, really, really want it to have an impact on culture.”

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“Butter yellow was a theme for her — it was on the album artwork and went into a lot of the creative — so the overall colorway was yellow. We had picked a full yellow look she wanted specifically for her main wardrobe,” Wade tells Fashionista. Wade’s reaction to seeing what Mai wore instead? “I thought [what she chose] was perfect because it had some structure, snatch and shape, but then the skirt was flirty and had a little drama. It fit her vibe really well.”

That “vibe” in question is one that’s strong, hardworking and thoughtful, while also silly and easygoing, Wade shares. “Those two sides are the perfect marriage of the type of women we dress.”

That duality is what prompted Mai’s stylist Dianne Garcia to reach out to Wade for the project. Garcia has been a longtime supporter of the emerging label, regularly attending its fashion week shows and pulling the brand for clients. She’s drawn to Wade’s ability to create standout, fashion-forward pieces that aren’t fussy or uncomfortable to wear.

“Our pieces, although they can be corseted in design, are very comfortable and flexible for wear,” Wade says. “So I think that when [Mai] was thinking and speaking with Dianne about what kind of designer she wanted to do for the tour wardrobe, [Garcia] thought of me. Ella likes to be comfortable and feel like herself when she’s performing. So I was honored that [Garcia] thought of me.”

From the very start of the design process, it was a collaborative effort, Wade says. Garcia gave the designer a few reference photos and broad inspiration, but allowed Wade the creative freedom to develop her own vision. 

“A lot of stylists come, and they’re like, ‘Here’s a bunch of other people’s work and we want you to do the Jane Wade version of that,'” Wade explains. “What I really loved about Dianne’s approach is that it was very minimal in terms of references for garments. She gave me words and feelings like, ‘I want [the clothes] to feel like these words and emotions.’ And then the references that she gave were from my own collections.”

One descriptor in particular that resonated with Wade was “ethereal.”

“Ethereal was one of the words, and I was like, ‘This isn’t normally in the Jane Wade universe, so how do I Jane Wade-ify this feeling?'” she shares. She chose to explore it through a gorp-core lens, incorporating nylon ripstop fabric that gave the pieces that trademark Jane Wade outdoor-chic look while also having flirty, effortless qualities. “That was really fun to play in a new language, but then being able to rehouse it, make it my own,” Wade adds.

By the end of the process, the designer had created seven full outfits for Mai’s eight-week (North American leg) tour run. But in true Jane Wade fashion, each outfit is modular — a pillar of the brand’s world. It allows Mai to easily mix and match pieces to create entirely different looks, reimagining the garments herself. Wade also added fabric finishes that match across the looks so each outfit can be remixed while still looking cohesive. 

“That was the first piece of our strategy approach: How can we create a wardrobe and pieces that can be broken apart and segmented in a clever way to be remixed and reworn so that it feels fresh, but it also still feels like it has the same ethos and the same feeling every night?” Wade explains. For example, she designed a strapless top with a short cap-sleeve capelet that can snap on and off. 

The second essential part of her design approach was creating outfits that aren’t too constricting to perform in — a particularly unique challenge given that corsetry is another Jane Wade signature. “Everybody wants to be snatched on stage, but you also don’t want to be uncomfortable as a singer,” she shares. Wade ended up designing boning-free corsets, utilizing seams, batting fabric and finishing treatments to give it structure without the restriction. 

Although this was the first time Wade designed a custom wardrobe for a singer, she emphasizes that the creative process was very similar to ready-to-wear. Commercial fashion, like on-stage fashion, prioritizes functionality and easy movement. “In ready-to-wear, there’s just certain logistical executions that the garment needs to be able to do,” she explains. “We think very critically in the design phase of, ‘Can this person wear this pant in an everyday way?’ Is this an easy shirt to put on and off?’ So I think there is a very similar approach to performance wear in terms of the practicality.”

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The biggest difference between the two categories? Bringing the drama in the silhouettes. “You want to be able to create something that feels dramatic and feels eye-catching just in the shape alone,” she says. To that end, two of her favorite standout looks are fitted, corseted dresses: one featuring bustled canvas panels on the hem to create the skirt, and the other made of a cotton twill bustier with a parachute-like billowing skirt.

The biggest learning curve was working with the technological aspects of on-stage performances, according to Wade; accounting for the mic packs, wires and in-ear monitors wasn’t something the designer had initially thought of when she took on this opportunity. But like with every other aspect of the process, she welcomed the challenge. 

“We were like, ‘Oh, we should make matching mic packs and then integrate those into the looks so that way they’re completely seamless,'” she recalls. “That technical side of the integration of her onstage tech was a surprise, but cool to work through.”

With one custom design experience under her belt, Wade is eager to take on additional bespoke projects. Whether it’s for another tour or a one-of-a-kind piece for press rounds, she hopes to not only grow her custom design presence, but establish a clear identity in the space.

But until then, she has a Spring 2027 runway show to focus on. Wade can’t share much about what she’ll present during New York Fashion Week this September, but she teases that some of her work for Mai influenced her ready-to-wear collection:

“There’s definitely going to be some pieces that are going to mirror some of the silhouettes that we gave Ella and the material composition, mirroring the parachute fabric and that nylon ripstop. You will see that on the runway.”

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It’s not a secret that some of the biggest beauty innovations happen in Seoul. It’s where so many of our favorite products are created, so of course, brand founders from all over the world flock to the South Korean capital to make magic happen. But for esthetician and Superegg founder Erica Choi, it’s even more personal. The New York-based skin-care founder was born in Busan (South Korea’s second-largest city), and spent summers there growing up. Now that she has a skin-care brand, she still heads to Korea every summer to mix business with pleasure.

“Because our products are manufactured in Korea, I’m able to spend time much closer to the development process, while also immersing myself in everything happening around beauty, wellness, food, fashion and design,” she says.

Choi finds unlimited inspiration in Seoul — and not just in the beauty and aesthetics world (though, of course, there’s that too). “A meal, a beautiful space, a new treatment, the way something is packaged or even just observing how people are living and taking care of themselves can spark an idea,” she says. “I consider those lived experiences some of my most valuable forms of research, but I also take genuine pleasure in all of it. Seoul is constantly evolving, so every time I return, there is something new to discover.”

Given her first-hand experience, we asked the skin-care expert for an insider-approved itinerary of must-visit shops, restaurants and more. Read on for all her hidden gems, from her favorite indie shops and beauty stores, to the dinner spots she swears by.

What’s one food/dish everybody who goes to Seoul should try?

It’s impossible for me to choose just one! For Korean food, I love Nanpo (난포) for a contemporary take on Korean comfort food. Their gangdoenjang ssambap (강된장쌈밥), seasonal sashimi with aged kimchi (제철회묵은지말이) and shrimp potato jeon (새우감자전) are great for sharing, so you can order several things for the table and experience a little bit of everything.

For Korean barbecue, Sancheong Sutbul Garden (산청숯불가든) is a favorite for charcoal-grilled pork. There’s something about the smoky flavor you get from cooking over charcoal that makes it especially satisfying. I also love Samwon Garden (삼원가든), a Seoul institution that has been around for decades. It’s a more classic, polished Korean barbecue experience and a great place to go with family or a group.

For something completely casual, Puradak’s Ilpum Kkanpung (일품깐풍) fried chicken is such a fun take on Korean fried chicken. Range is what makes eating in Seoul so exciting. You can have something deeply comforting and traditional or creative and contemporary, and both can feel equally special.

Where is your favorite place in Seoul to get breakfast?

I’m usually quite simple when it comes to breakfast, so I love starting the morning at a bakery. Seoul has such an incredible bakery culture right now, and I love the variety. You can find everything from beautifully made European-style breads and pastries to distinctly Korean interpretations.

Artist Bakery and Jayeondo Salt Bread (자연도소금빵) are favorites for salt bread — that perfect combination of a crisp exterior, soft center and just enough salt and butter. I also love MIMU (미무) and Beton (베통), and I tend to pick up a few different things to try with coffee rather than have a big sit-down breakfast. Seongsu Baking Studio (성수베이킹스튜디오) and Standard Bread (스탠다드브레드) are other favorites when I’m in the mood for something a little more substantial. I think visiting bakeries is also one of the nicest ways to experience a quieter, more everyday side of Seoul. I love picking something up in the morning and walking around the neighborhood before the city really gets going.

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Where is your favorite place to get lunch?

I love House of Shinsegae for lunch because there’s such an ample selection, and they’ve brought in outposts of many popular restaurants all under one roof. It’s perfect when you simply don’t know exactly what you’re in the mood for, and the space itself is beautifully designed.

Afterwards, I always recommend stopping by Shinsegae’s Sweet Park, their incredible dessert destination, which brings together some of Korea’s most sought-after names alongside renowned sweets from around the world. You can have lunch, pick up something sweet, and then wander through the department store. It’s a very Seoul way to spend an afternoon.

Where’s your favorite place to get coffee?

Seoul has an incredible coffee culture, so I have a few options depending on what I’m in the mood for: Camouflage Coffee has wonderful, bright, acidic beans, and their latte is fantastic. If I want something on the sweeter side, I love the signature Camel Coffee at Camel Coffee. And for a true coffee experience, unpage, by coffee creator Ahnstar, is incredibly special. They have some of the best Geisha pour-overs I’ve had. It’s the kind of place where you go specifically for the coffee and take the time to experience it rather than simply grabbing a cup on the way somewhere.

Where is your favorite place to get dinner in Seoul?

Restaurant SAN is very special. I went for my birthday last year and the entire experience was incredible. The cooking is refined and contemporary, but there is still a very distinct sense of Korea and seasonality throughout the menu.

I love restaurants where the experience feels considered from beginning to end — not only the food, but the pacing, service, wine and environment — and SAN does that beautifully.

If you were to plan a trip for yourself in Seoul, where would you stay?

I stay with family when I’m in Seoul, but for visitors looking for a luxury experience, I recommend Josun Palace and the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul. For something more accessible while still being centrally located, Four Points by Sheraton is a good option. Where you stay can really shape your experience of Seoul because the city is so expansive. I always recommend thinking about the neighborhoods you’re most interested in exploring rather than choosing a hotel based solely on the property itself.

What’s one tourist attraction you think is well worth the visit?

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). There is always so much happening there, from exhibitions and installations to fashion and design events. I also love the design store there for shopping. It has a nicely curated selection of elevated souvenirs and Korean design objects, so you can find something that feels a little more special to bring home.

If you had time to visit only one museum or gallery while in Seoul, which would you pick?

MMCA Seoul is my favorite museum. It’s large, so I like giving myself enough time to wander rather than trying to rush through it. The exhibitions are consistently interesting, and I love its contemporary perspective and how the museum interacts with the surrounding architecture and neighborhood. It’s also perfectly located for continuing on to explore Samcheong-dong and the surrounding area afterward.

Where do you shop for fashion in Seoul? What do you think are the most unique stores you frequent?

I genuinely love department stores in Seoul. Lotte World Mall, The Hyundai Seoul and Shinsegae Department Store are all destinations in themselves, and the retail experience in Korea is on another level.

But I equally love spending an afternoon walking around Hannam-dong or Seongsu-dong and discovering things organically. Those neighborhoods change so quickly that there is almost always something new. Some of my favorite stores are Monoha, Amomento, Beaker and Recto. They each have such a strong visual identity and point of view, which I always appreciate in a retail space.

What about beauty?

A trip to Seoul wouldn’t be complete without Olive Young. I actually love visiting the smaller locations in different neighborhoods because the assortment can feel localized to the area, and it’s usually a much calmer way to browse. But if you want the full experience, Olive Young Myeongdong Town, Olive Young N Seongsu and Olive Young Beauty Mansion are enormous and have pretty much everything you could want to discover, from products popular internationally to what people in Korea are actually buying.

I also love OWM — Optima Wellness Museum. It’s a very chic, contemporary interpretation of a pharmacy and wellness store, and the spaces themselves are quite beautiful. 

Beyond multi-brand stores, I always recommend simply walking around Gangnam, Hannam, Seongsu and Jongno. So many Korean beauty brands have their own standalone stores and flagships now, and they often create much more immersive experiences around the brand than you would get from seeing the same products on a shelf elsewhere.

Favorite aesthetic clinics & jjimjilbangs (Korean bath houses)?

For aesthetic clinics, a few I like are The Hill Dermatology Sinsa (더힐피부과의원 신사본점), HEV Dermatology Sinsa (헤브피부과의원 신사), Hoan Clinic (호안의원) and Diore Clinic (디오레의원). Each has its own approach, atmosphere and point of view, so I always recommend booking a consultation first and finding the practitioner and environment where you feel most comfortable. With aesthetic treatments, I think that sense of trust and understanding is just as important as the treatment itself.

For something more restorative and hands-on, I also love SPA GOGYEOL (스파고결). It’s focused on slowing down and taking care of the body and face through a dedicated treatment experience.

For a larger Korean spa experience, I love CIMER at Paradise City (씨메르). It’s near Incheon Airport, so it’s actually a great stop if you arrive on a red-eye and have a few hours before you can check into your hotel in Seoul. You can shower, unwind, and reset after the flight before heading into the city. If you have more time, it’s expansive enough to easily spend half a day there.

What’s a good place to buy souvenirs in Seoul?

Walking around Insadong and the hanok neighborhoods is still one of my favorite ways to shop for more traditional Korean souvenirs. You can find ceramics, crafts, stationery and small objects that feel connected to Korean culture rather than something made specifically for tourists.

For something more contemporary, I would go back to the design store at DDP. Their selection feels much more curated and design-focused, which makes it a great place to find elevated Korean objects and gifts.

What’s the place to take in nature in/around Seoul?

I love taking walks in Seoul Forest or Seoul Children’s Grand Park when the weather is nice. I also really love Yeonnam-dong and Yeonhui-dong for a slower afternoon. You can walk along the Gyeongui Line Forest Park through Yeonnam and then wander toward Yeonhui, stopping at little cafés, shops, and galleries along the way. It’s one of my favorite ways to experience how nature and everyday city life coexist in Seoul.

If you’re able to venture farther outside the city, Museum SAN is beautiful. The architecture, art, and landscape are so integrated that I would dedicate a full day to it rather than trying to squeeze it into a packed itinerary. It’s somewhere you really want to slow down and spend time.

What’s your favorite recent discovery in Seoul?

One thing I’ve become fascinated by is the number of mu-in (무인), or unmanned, stores tucked into different neighborhoods. They’re completely self-service, often open around the clock and surprisingly specialized. You’ll find unmanned ice cream and convenience stores, pet shops, snack stores and all sorts of niche concepts.

What struck me most is how commonplace they are and the level of trust the concept relies on. You walk in, choose what you need, pay at the self-checkout and leave, without an employee necessarily being there at all. It’s such a small detail of everyday life, but I find it fascinating because it says something about the convenience, efficiency and sense of collective trust you encounter in Seoul. I love discovering things like this when I’m there. Sometimes the most ordinary parts of a city can tell you as much about it as the places everyone goes to see.

What about shopping for your new cat?

Seoul definitely has more stores geared toward dogs than cats, so for everyday things I’ve found Petfriends (펫프렌즈) to be the best place to order online. But I really enjoyed Molly’s Pet Shop at Starfield Goyang when I visited.

The most memorable experience, though, was Gungdi Pang Pang Cat Festa (궁디팡팡 캣페스타), which is essentially a huge convention for cat parents that travels around Korea several times a year. We happened to be in town when it came to Seoul, and it was incredible seeing the entire cat-parent community together in one place. People literally arrive with one or two empty suitcases and go absolutely wild shopping. You could say I came home with quite a few variations of Churu! It was one of those experiences that was so specific and joyful, and I loved seeing just how passionate the cat community is there.

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“Ibiza is so much more than the parties people associate it with,” Annie Doble, founder and creative director of Annie’s Ibiza, tells Fashionista over email. As someone who has regularly visited the island since she was a teenager and has come to love it like a second home, Doble emphasizes that the true allure of Ibiza lies in its history, creativity and people.

“Ibiza is unlike anywhere else in the world,” she explains. “It has this incredible ability to bring people together; you meet people from all walks of life, and somehow everyone connects.”

She opened the first Annie’s Ibiza boutique in Ibiza’s Old Town, and she regularly draws inspiration from the island while designing. “There is a freedom here to be completely yourself, whether that’s through music, fashion, nature or simply spending time with friends,” she shares. “It has such magical energy.”

Given her expertise, we asked the designer for an insider-approved itinerary of must-visit shops, restaurants and more. Read on for all her hidden gems, from her favorite flea market to the breakfast spot she swears by.

What’s one food/dish everybody who goes to Ibiza should try?

This one is a little tricky for me, as I’ve been vegetarian my whole life. But one thing everyone should try is the ice cream at Es Moli — it’s really famous in Ibiza and such a lovely treat, especially after a day in the sun. 

Where is your favorite place in Ibiza to get breakfast?

I love a slow morning at my home in Dalt Vila, but if I’m going out, my favorite place for breakfast is The Croissant Show. It’s such a special little spot and the perfect place to sit outside, enjoy the island’s atmosphere and take in the peaceful Ibiza mornings before the day begins. There’s something so lovely about having a drink, enjoying a beautiful view and watching the island slowly come to life.

What’s your favorite place in Ibiza to get lunch?

La Paloma is one of my favorite places for lunch, especially at the beginning of the summer. It has such a beautiful setting surrounded by nature; the food is incredible, and it always feels so authentic to Ibiza. It’s the kind of place where you can relax, take your time and really enjoy the magic of the island.

What’s your favorite place to get dinner?

La Oliva in the Old Town is one of my favorites. It’s directly opposite my shop, on my favorite street in Ibiza, Carrer de la Santa Creu. It has such a special atmosphere and feels like part of the island’s history. They always make me a special vegetarian dish, usually their truffle pasta, which I love.

Where is your favorite place to get drinks?

I love spending the day at the beach and then heading to Tirrapalla afterward. One thing I always enjoy is a Sparkling Lemon — it’s crisp, refreshing and perfect under the Ibiza sun (just sparkling lemonade and Bombay Sapphire gin). I first tried one while working on the E1 Series, where I designed a bespoke RaceBird with Bombay Sapphire inspired by the signature prints and aesthetic of my collections.

If you were to plan a trip for yourself in Ibiza, where would you stay?

I would stay at La Torre del Canónigo in Dalt Vila. It’s such a special place — full of history, character and incredible views over Ibiza.

What’s one tourist attraction you think is well worth the visit in Ibiza?

Dalt Vila is a must. Walking through the old castle walls and cobbled streets feels like entering another world. The history is incredible, and the views from the top are some of the most beautiful on the island. Some people even come into town just to explore the unique shops, and of course I love when they come to visit Annie’s Ibiza, my little treasure trove of magical party wear, archival vintage pieces and one-of-a-kind finds.

If you had time to visit only one museum or gallery while in Ibiza, which would you pick?

I would choose the Contemporary Art Museum in Ibiza Town. It’s actually just a 30-second walk from the shop, which makes it a very special place for me. It has an incredible mix of contemporary art and history, including fascinating Roman ruins inside, showing the beautiful layers of Ibiza’s past. It’s the perfect place to experience both the creative and cultural side of the island.

Where do you shop for fashion, beauty, etc. in Ibiza?

I love walking around the Old Town at night and discovering all the little shops and boutiques. There are so many unique places to visit, especially my friend Laura’s shop, Porta Official, and Archive Closet. 

What’s a good place to buy souvenirs in Ibiza?

I love the markets. Sant Jordi flea market is amazing for finding antique treasures, vintage pieces and things with a story. Las Dalias is also a beautiful experience.

What’s your top beauty or wellness experience in Ibiza?

Free diving is probably my favorite wellness experience. Being underwater with no phone and no distractions is the ultimate reset. It’s where I feel the most peaceful.

What’s the best place to take in nature in/around Ibiza?

Cala Xarraca has always been very special to me. I’ve been going there since I was young, and it’s one of those places that reminds you why Ibiza is so magical:  crystal-clear water, beautiful nature and a feeling of complete escape.

What’s your favorite recent discovery in Ibiza?

I always love discovering new hidden corners of the island, but one place I always return to is the north of Ibiza. It feels like the soul of the island, more peaceful and surrounded by nature.

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Danish designers can be relied upon to provide nuanced takes on rising fashion trends without sacrificing comfort or individuality, resulting in looks that feel rooted in (an exceptionally stylish) reality. Labels like Baum und Pferdgarten, Skall Studio, The Garment and OpéraSport held up that reputation this season, confirming that our closets are about to be filled with: color- and pattern-blocking, pops of light blue, elastic headbands, balloon pants and perhaps even mullet hems. But if that’s not your speed, I’d recommend the “I literally just rolled out of bed” look that dominated several runways.

Peruse all the standout Spring 2027 trends from Copenhagen Fashion Week via the galleries below.

Bedtime Story

Pajama dressing took many forms across the Copenhagen runways: The Garment focused on dressed-up sets and slips, Skall Studio did nightgowns to take you from bed to the prairie, and others like Freya Dalsjø and Institution by Galib Gassanoff took a more literal route as models appeared to be swathed in (very luxurious) white sheets.

Mullet Over

Mullet hems never stay out of the trend cycle for long, it seems. Designers love a party in the front/business in the back moment, and in Copenhagen they're creatively applying the silhouette to tops, dresses and skirts alike. Several showed high/low garments as layering pieces: over capris (OpéraSport), trousers (By Malene Birger) and cargo pants (Herskind), while The Garment doubled up on nostalgia trends with bubble-hem mullet gowns.

Battle of the (Head) Bands

Tradwife-coded headscarves are still prevalent on runways (and in street style), but another hairline-covering accessory seems poised to take their place: thick elastic headbands. They were seen keeping models' hair out of their faces and giving a casually polished vibe to various looks at By Malene Birger, Baum und Pferdgarten and Nicklas Skovgaard.

Balloon Pants Pop Off

Fashion loves to get excited about a new(ish) pant silhouette, and right now designers are all about balloon pants — or genie pants or parachute pants or whatever you happen to call these voluminous, rounded trousers with tapered hems.

Blockbuster

Many Danish labels eschewed quiet minimalism for bold, unexpected color and pattern combinations, often within the same garment. Nicklas Skovgard mixed colors and ginghams alike; Caro Editions went all-in on '90s-tinged maximalist clashing; and Mr. Larkin blended colorful plaids with stripes. On the simpler end, Gestuz and Baum und Pferdgarden did sporty contrasting accents and Munthe showed classic patchwork denim.

Blue Pilled

Even though it's been trending for a few seasons now, there's something about these pale blue shades that continue to feel fresh whether they're worn head-to-toe like at The Garment and Mr. Larkin, or used as a pop of color like at Munthe and Gestuz.

CPHFW Spring 2027 showgoers turned up wearing headscarves, lacy layers, bloomers, prairie dresses and baby bumps — the ultimate tradwife accessory — en masse. One attendee even went so far as to wear a literal apron as a dress, layering it over a distinctly anti-“Little House On the Prairie” tailored blazer and collared shirt for a study in creative contrasts. In most cases, the street style set modernized their throwback looks in some way, whether via a leopard-print East/West handbag, studded leather accessory, pair of statement sneakers or brightly colored print (in direct opposition to the inherent drabness of the standard neutral trad color palette).

Other non-tradwifian trends we spotted (and loved) in Copenhagen: creative layering, 2000s-era going out tops, balloon pants, ample use of sheer fabrics and a variety of minimalist thong sandals. Keep scrolling to see the best street style looks from outside the Spring 2027 shows in Copenhagen.

View the 40 images of this gallery on the original article

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Demand for the product skyrocketed 4,276% quarter-on-quarter around the team’s history-making title win. (Knicks in five!) Spanning May through June of this year, the Q2 report covers a big moment for sporting events and their deepening connection to fashion, with the NBA Finals, Wimbledon and the FIFA World Cup happening at the same time. In fact, it was the latter that pushed the Adidas x Willy Chavarria Jersey onto this quarter’s list of the top 10 hottest products, landing at number nine.

Issey Miyake’s Madame T-Stole ranked second, with a 501% increase in searches. Summer footwear largely dominated the rest of the list, with Skims Jelly Shoes, Gucci’s Vittoria Heels, Chloé’s Jelly Mules and Massimo Dutti’s Toe Sandals ranking third through sixth, respectively. Rounding out the lineup are more summertime styles: Chanel’s Shield Sunglasses ranked seventh with a 363% increase in demand; Doen’s Iona Shorts came in eighth with a 96% demand increase; and Zimmermann’s Daylight Dress landed in spot 10, with searches up 322%.

Though Chanel didn’t top the hottest products list, it did manage to keep its throne as the world’s hottest fashion brand (a feat it accomplished for the first time ever last quarter). Creative director Matthieu Blazy’s work continues to drive consumer demand, the latest example being the launch of the Coco Beach and Métiers d’Art 2026 collections. Miu Miu climbed back up the ranks to second place, while Dior kept its position at number three.

Saint Laurent dropped two spots to number four, Gucci stayed in fifth and Prada jumped up one to rank sixth. Ralph Lauren, Burberry, Coach and Massimo Dutti (up eight points from last quarter) rounded out the top 10.

Phoebe Philo cracked the hottest brands list for the first time, landing at number 18, driven by a 29% increase in demand and reflecting growing momentum behind the designer’s retail strategy. Coming in at number 19 is Jacquemus, which re-entered the top 20 following a 20% increase in demand for the summer-friendly brand.

Ahead, see the full rankings of the hottest brands and products (most of which you can shop!) for Q2 of 2026, and find Lyst’s full report here. 

Hottest Fashion Brands of Q2 2026

1. Chanel
2. Miu Miu (+2)
3. Dior
4. Saint Laurent (-2)
5. Gucci 
6. Prada (+1)
7. Ralph Lauren (-1)
8. Burberry (+1)
9. Coach (-1)
10. Massimo Dutti (+8)
11. Chloé (+3)
12. The Row (-1)
13. Versace (-1)
14. Bottega Veneta (+1)
15. Celine (+5)
16. Moncler (-3)
17. Loewe (-1)
18. Phoebe Philo (new)
19. Jacquemus (re-entry)
20. Stone Island (-3)

Hottest Fashion Products of Q2 2026

1. New York Knicks Cap
2. Issey Miyake Madame T-Stole
3. Skims Jelly Shoes
4. Gucci Vittoria Heels
5. Chloé Jelly Mules
6. Massimo Dutti Toe Sandals
7. Chanel Shield Sunglasses
8. Doen Iona Shorts
9. Adidas x Willy Chavarria Jersey
10. Zimmermann Daylight Dress

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What’s the opposite of gatekeeping? Welcome to “Payment Processing,” in which we ask stylish, generally cool people who’ve tried it all about their favorite fashion and beauty buys.

Even if you don’t know the name, you’ve definitely seen Vittoria Ceretti’s face. The Italian supermodel has graced the runways of every major designer — Versace! Fendi! Chanel! — and fronted campaigns for the likes of Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein and Gucci. (It would probably be quicker to list the brands she hasn’t worked with.) She’s also a Victoria’s (Vittoria’s?) Secret angel, a repeat Vogue cover star and the newly-appointed global makeup ambassador for Giorgio Armani.

But as an international supermodel who interacts with top luxury brands on the daily, which products actually make it into her fashion and beauty rotations? Online, “off-duty model” aesthetic content typically promotes slick-back buns and elevated basics, but Ceretti reaches for “random” graphic T-shirts from Etsy on her days off. “They make the outfit,” she tells Fashionista. On the higher end, she’s shopping for a classic vintage watch that she can wear every day. “It’s a vintage summer,” Ceretti says. “Etsy and vintage.”

Ahead, Ceretti shares her favorite beauty products, the timeless wardrobe staple she keeps buying multiples of, the unexpected luxury item on her wishlist and more.

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What’s a luxury beauty item you’re into right now?

It’s the Dolci blushes by Armani.

What’s a drugstore beauty product you love?

I’ve been loving Aquaphor. Big fan.

What’s a beauty staple you love so much you’ve bought multiples?

It’s the [Armani] Luminous Silk Foundation. [I have] many versions because, depending on the time of the year when I’m more tan or less tan, it’s a different shade.

What’s an accessory you’re eyeing right now?

I think it’s time for me to get a watch, like a new watch. I’m not sure what kind yet, but something nice and simple and little that I can get away with wearing every day. I probably will go for something vintage… Vintage, classic, timeless, beautiful, effortless. That’s it.

What’s an affordable fashion item on your wishlist?

It’s actually in my cart currently as we speak. I’ve been really into getting graphic T-shirts from Etsy, random graphics, and I just love them. They’re so affordable and they’re great and they’re fun for the summer especially. I just bought one with a unicorn on it. Last week, I bought one with a flower on it that’s yellow. They’re so easy to play around with and you just throw them on with a pair of jeans and they make the outfit.

Are there any luxury fashion items you’re lusting after?

A new car. I don’t need a new car, but I feel like it’s always a good time to consider getting a new car. I know these people that take vintage cars and they rebrand them and they redo the interiors and they look so gorgeous and they’re really expensive. So it might never happen, but it’s on my wishlist of things that I would love to do, but I’m probably never going to do.

What’s a wardrobe staple you love so much you’ve bought multiples?

Oh my gosh, I have bought so many tank tops over the years. I feel like you can just always get more and the slightest difference within the tank top can just make for a completely different outfit. You need all of these different white tank tops that look exactly the same.

What’s one piece of beauty advice we could all use?

I would say less is more. Less is more when it comes to everything from the makeup to the skin care to the clothes, the whole thing.

What’s the last product a friend influenced you to buy?

I was influenced to buy this EMS face tool that gives you a massage. That’s really great.

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At least, that’s the case if we’re basing the scenario on Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey”‘s press tour fashion. Over the past few weeks, leading women Zendaya (Athena), Anne Hathaway (Queen Penelope), Lupita Nyong’o (Helen of Troy) and Charlize Theron (Calypso) have turned out multiple Mount Olympus-worthy looks. (Can someone please make statues of them?)

Styled by Law Roach, Zendaya has delivered the most appearances and, unsurprisingly, has fully leaned into method dressing. For her first premiere appearance, she kicked things off in an ivory Jacquemus gown, featuring a column silhouette, halter neckline, super-low back and an attached headscarf. While it doesn’t exactly scream “goddess of war” at first, Athena is famously known for wearing white, which symbolizes her civic order and purity. The actor accessorized the look with ancient-coin-like gold earrings.

A day later, Law Roach did his biggest one, putting Zendaya in a sculpted Schiaparelli gown that had just debuted on the Haute Couture Fall 2026 runway that happened in Paris only a few hours earlier. The piece features a white porcelain bodice with a plunging waistline and a beaded ombre skirt, making Zendaya look like a statue that came to life.

Then, on July 14, the actor took Athena’s “guardian angel” role seriously, attending the NYC premiere in a floor-length white Matières Fécales Fall 2025 gown that featured feather angel wings. In an interview on the premiere red carpet, Law Roach revealed that when he saw the look two years ago, he immediately asked the designers Hannah Rose and Steven Raj to hold the dress. “I knew she had this movie coming up—I don’t think the movie was made yet,” he said. “I asked them to hold the look for us, and they held the look this entire time. They didn’t send it to anyone else.”

Meanwhile, Zendaya’s co-stars have also held their own sartorially — albeit with a much subtler approach to Grecian fashion. Hathaway, styled by Erin Walsh, went full on regal — a fitting approach given her character — wearing many elegant, flowy maternity gowns; Nyong’o and her stylist Micaela Erlanger kept it contemporary with nods to the original text through unique textures and detailing. She’s been very versatile with her looks, ranging from a feathered Lapointe suit to a sculpted Nicholas Oakwell Couture gown.

As for Theron, who’s styled by Leslie Fremar, she played into her sea-nymph character with water-adjacent colors and textures. Take, for example, her Tom Ford short suit worn at a Paris photocall. The look sported reflective satin short-shorts that gave a liquid finish. A day later, she stepped out in a cascading Dior gown, featuring a peplum waist and waterfall-effect skirt.

Ahead, see all the looks from the leading women of The Odyssey.

Zendaya

Styled by Law Roach

Lupita Nyong'o

Styled by Micaela Erlanger

Anne Hathaway

Styled by Erin Walsh

Charlize Theron

Styled by Leslie Fremar

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What’s the opposite of gatekeeping? Welcome to “Payment Processing,” in which we ask stylish, generally cool people who’ve tried it all about their favorite fashion and beauty buys.

In an era when there are too many reality TV shows to keep count, it’s impressive when someone not only emerges from one as a breakout star, but also maintains that relevance in the pop culture zeitgeist long after the final episode airs. In the “Summer House” universe, season 10 fan favorite Mia Calabrese is the latest such example.

During the show, she became the fandom’s darling thanks to her confident yet drama-free vibe and loyal friendship with fellow fan favorite Ciara Miller. Calabrese also won over the fashion crowd with her trend-forward looks.

“I wanted to show off my curves, but not [be] over the top,” she tells Fashionista of her on-screen style. “I also wanted to be comfy and have airy clothes, because it is hot in the Hamptons. I don’t think you really understand how muggy it can get out there.”

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That approach is on par with her day-to-day personal style, which she describes as “sexy and comfy at the same time.” It even extends into her red carpet style, as seen in her fitted leopard print gown at the 2026 Las Culturistas Culture Awards or in her Jennifer Lopez-inspired Versace dress at this year’s American Music Awards.

“The J. Lo-inspired dress that I wore to the AMAs, if I could have slept in that I would have,” she says of the look. “If I could’ve shown up to the airport in that I would have. I loved it so much. That has been my favorite look I’ve worn probably since birth.”

Recently, Fashionista caught up with the reality star — who appeared as a special guest at a Fenty Beauty event — to find out about her beauty and fashion favorites, including the body butter her friends steal from her, the shoes that make her feel like a “bad bitch” and the athleisure set she buys multiples of.

What’s a luxury beauty item you’re into?

Serums, and I hate that for me because they are not cheap, but I love them.

How about a drugstore beauty item?

I have a long list: The La Roche-Posay Gentle Cleanser is incredible and works so well. I also love the Neutrogena Body Oil. I love the Dove beauty bars; I think those are very slept on. Sometimes we need to go back to what we know — get a bar of soap. Go back to the basics.

What’s a beauty staple you love so much you’ve bought multiples?

The Fenty Beauty Body Butter. The problem is, I talk about it so much that when my friends come over, they do a little pump. I’m like, ‘Where did all my lotion go?’ And then they are walking around and smelling like me, and I’m like, ‘Oh, they’ve been using my products.’ [Fenty] just released the Amber Bouquet one, and it smells like heaven and flowers. I feel like a princess when I wear it.

What’s an accessory you have your eye on?

I’m really into customization right now. I want a customized hair clip, a customized bonnet and a customized pillowcase. Put my initials everywhere.

What shoes are you loving?

Here’s the thing: I’ve never been a cool sneaker girl. That was never my vibe because, growing up, we couldn’t afford cool sneakers. So I’m starting now to get into sneakers. I also love a good heeled sandal. It’s so sexy and I feel like whenever I wear them my legs look so long. When I wear a heeled sandal, I feel like a bad bitch.

What are affordable fashion items on your shopping list?

I love the Alo sets. Not that those are particularly affordable, but [they are] when you compare them to luxury items. Those are super comfortable. I also just bought a few Monday swim sets. I’m a big fan of them, too.

What’s a summer beauty staple you swear by?

SPF. Let me shout it from the rooftops. I’m a big fan of the Fenty Beauty SPF. I’ve been wearing it for the past three weeks, and I’m someone who’s tried probably 80% of the sunscreens on the market right now.

What’s the last product a friend influenced you to buy?

This is going to sound really random, but nipple cream. My friend told me to buy nipple cream and put it on my lips because my lips are always dry, so I tried it, and now I’m like, ‘Oh, I get it.’ I’m into it.

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Huge news for people with both skin and taste: UPF, or UV-protective, clothing is actually chic now. No, really. Did everyone else already know about this? (Anne Hathaway did!)

For years, fabrics with sun-blocking capabilities were used only in the most utilitarian of styles: gloves for drivers and gardeners, oversized hats for boomers on walking tours, rash guards for serious surfers and dermatologists on the beach. But the thing is, those aren’t the only people who spend time outdoors. There’s a whole demographic who cares about avoiding skin cancer, preventing age spots, protecting their collagen and fashion. (It’s me, I’m that person!) And as the ozone layer keeps depleting and the earth keeps warming, the reality is that we’re all gonna need more sun protection.

The industry is finally catching up with that fact. More brands operating in the resortwear, swimwear and athleticwear categories — alongside specific UV-protection-focused labels — are embracing tight-weave UPF fabrics that shield skin, no sunscreen required (except on the parts of you that aren’t swathed in UPF fabric, of course).

First, a quick primer on what makes UPF clothing different: “All clothing offers some degree of sun protection. When the sun’s rays hit fabric, some of the energy is changed to heat and is no longer dangerous to the skin. The UPF rating, similar to SPF for sunscreen, tells us the amount of UV rays that a garment can block,” explains NYC-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King. “The higher a fabric’s UPF rating, which runs between 15-50, the more protection it offers. The rating equates to the [fraction] of UV rays that pass through the fabric, so UPF 50 means that about 1/50th, or 2% of rays, can get through.  Another way to think about this is a UPF 50 shirt blocks 98% of UV rays.”

For reference, a typical cotton T-shirt is rated between UPF 5-8, meaning it allows up to 20% of UV radiation to reach the skin. But according to the UPF standard, no rating below 15 can be called “sun protective.” To know if a garment offers UPF-rated protection, simply check the label — it should be clearly marked, per Dr. King.

While some UPF fabrics do lose efficacy over time with multiple washes, this isn’t as much of an issue as people think, advises Dr. King: “Many high-quality garments achieve UPF through tight weave, dense knit, darker colors and synthetic fibers like polyester or nylon.  These generally maintain their protection for years.” Garments that have been chemically treated for UV protection do gradually diminish from the original UPF rating, but “the fabric still may provide substantial protection,” she says.

UPF clothing can be very effective sun protection since, unlike sunscreen, it doesn’t require thorough reapplication. Dr. King recommends it to her patients and wears it regularly herself. “For large body areas — especially during prolonged outdoor activities — UPF clothing is often the more reliable form of protection.” Dr. King highly recommends UPF swimwear and athleticwear in particular, since sweat and water can easily rinse away sunscreen. Plus, “water, reflection and prolonged exposure increase UV risk,” she adds.

Sun-focused brands like Claudent (which counts Kendall Jenner as a fan), Tied Sunwear, Sevy, Watskin and Daise make entire resortwear and accessories lines with UPF fabrics, creating a whole new fashion category. Meanwhile, Uniqlo, Outdoor Voices, Hunza G, Left on Friday and Splendid are now incorporating sun-protective outerwear, swimwear and even chic matching skirt sets into their offerings.

Ahead, we’ve rounded up 19 (actually!) chic UPF-50+ rated pieces that are sure to hold their own in the most fashionable of closets. Keep scrolling to see and shop them all.

Alex Eagle Sporting Club x Rashi World Short Sleeve Ringer UPF 50+, $166, available here

Claudent Boatneck Mini Dress UPF 50+, $325, available here

Uniqlo Pocketable UV Protection Parka UPF 50+, $40, available here

Sierra Madre Golf Sun Flyaway Cardigan UPF 50+, $74, available here

Daise Pru Oversized Button Down UPF 50+, $175, available here

Left on Friday Rays Short Sleeve Top UPF 50+, $85, available here

Splendid SunSoft UPF 50+ Midi Skirt, $118, available here

Hakea Swim Terrain One-Piece Surf Suit UPF 50+, $208, available here

Hunza G Short Sarong UPF 50+, $140, available here

Sevy Lake Short Bandana UPF 50+, $58, available here

Free-Est Fallon Board Short UPF 50+, $198, available here

Tied Sunwear Lettie Front-Tie Top UPF 50+, $148, available here

Outdoor Voices Places to Go UV Protection Half Zip Jacket UPF 50+, $158, available here

Watskin Andie Short Bodysuit UPF 50+, $345, available here

Hunza G Resort Shirt UPF 50+, $285, available here

Daise All Day Terry Playsuit UPF 50+, $218, available here

Cover Scallop Cut Swim T-Shirt UPF 50+, $125, available here

Claudent Relaxed Short UPF 50+, $145, available here

Solbari Base Layer UPF 50+, $89, available here

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As if she’s not busy enough, Walsh teamed up with luxury lifestyle and concierge platform Velocity Black as an official partner to create exclusive fashion experiences for its members through curated styling sessions and fashion programming. To celebrate the World Cup, she created a shoppable capsule in partnership with Moda Operandi, inspired by how fashion shows up around the game (complete with a limited-edition collection of hand-painted Marc Jacobs World Cup Tote Bags).

We caught up with the stylist while she was in Los Angeles for the partnership and talked all things fashion, sports and intentional dressing.

Why do you think sports and fashion feel more connected than ever?

Because these high elite athletes are in such a spotlight, it becomes this thing that brands and partners go after them to represent them as ambassadors. Also, when you’re that visible and you’re operating at such a high level, fashion can up-level how you feel. So it’s an obvious thing to harness fashion when you’re in the spotlight as an athlete. And it can be so much fun, too. People are looking up to you anyway.

Then, in the chicken and the egg of it, if you look at how a lot of high-profile athletes end up becoming the face of a brand, that’s because they were already becoming that supernova version of themselves for the public.

Your philosophy is all about intentional dressing. Do you think people are becoming less interested in trends and more interested in personal style?

Trends matter because they give us ways to think of what we’re not thinking of and to expand and up-level, which is always important because we’re not here to stay the same. I think the idea of a trend being the only piece of information that you use when you get dressed, that doesn’t sound interesting to me. And I don’t think that resonates with a lot of people because, ultimately, fashion is meant to make you feel like the best version of yourself.

When you ask yourself, when you go to get dressed, ‘How do I want to feel?’ — that’s something that will resonate and serve you on a much deeper plane than just, ‘Is this bag trending on Instagram or Fashionista right now?’ The world is also quite complex right now. So to use fashion as a means to embody that version of the person that you want to be, that’s a much more substantial, worthwhile use of it.

Luxury brands seem to be investing more in experiences than products alone. Why do you think consumers are craving those kinds of moments right now?

I talk a lot with brands about the new landscape of partnerships and for VICs, Very Important Customers, what is the most effective way to engage with their customers and to have them really feel like they’re being brought into the world?

I think when you invite people to interact in a more experiential way, it becomes something that you actually try on for size, and it’s immersive. When done well, you leave an immersive experience transformed and changed. So as opposed to just being sent an item from a designer or being invited to shop, when you’re being educated and inspired and immersed in something in a sensorial way, it’s just so much more fun.

What advice would you give to aspiring celebrity stylists who want to build a career like yours, and eventually branch out into books, brand partnerships and entrepreneurship?

It was around COVID that it became very apparent, because our industry shut down as celebrity stylists. It really gave you time to think about: How can I use my talent and my abilities to keep creating and, both from a professional point of view [and] creating income for my family, but also: I believe we’re all here to serve the world in some real way. So, how do we keep doing that?

I think the celebrity styling business is a service business. Your worth can be determined by whether somebody else is working. So, in terms of creating a business outside of that, social media is such a great means to do so. It’s such a great storytelling medium. Start figuring out what you want to say to the world and why.

The way that I did it… I genuinely want to shift the way women view their possibility and their potential. And that’s been an underlying thread, incidentally, with both my celebrity styling and all the things that I’m working on, from the book to all the extensions of that that are coming, including an app that I’m working on.

But don’t limit yourself and your possibility. Keep finding out what makes you tick, what makes you connect with people, what’s your message, what story do you want to tell? Then the opportunities around that will come when you start being brave enough to put that out there. And don’t worry about the money of it to start because if you start telling that story to the world, the opportunities will follow.

It only takes a quick glance at Patricia Bonaldi’s brand, PatBo, to see just how much her Brazilian heritage informs her artistry. Season after season, the label showcases its cultural pride through distinct handcrafted details, bold colors and sensual silhouettes. Fourteen years in, PatBo has evolved into an internationally beloved name — shown regularly at New York Fashion Week and worn by celebrities including Beyoncé, Olandria, Suki Waterhouse, Chloe Bailey and Selena Gomez. But its Brazilian core hasn’t changed even a little bit.

Bonaldi has an especially strong tie to the vibrant city of São Paulo. It’s where PatBo opened its first-ever store in 2014 (and still has a flagship).

“São Paulo is a city in constant reinvention, and that is something I deeply admire,” Bonaldi tells Fashionista over email. “My relationship with São Paulo is one of admiration and creative and professional connection. It’s a place where different cultures, styles and references coexist, and that has always been a major source of inspiration for me.”

Naturally, we asked the designer for her advice on the perfect fashion-forward São Paulo itinerary. Below, Bonaldi shares all the best places to drink, dine, shop, sleep and more.

What’s one food/dish everybody who goes to São Paulo should try?

I would say a good Brazilian moqueca. It’s a dish that so elegantly reflects the richness of our cuisine — full of color, aroma and personality. I love how authentic Brazilian ingredients come together to create something so sophisticated, with layers of flavor and presence.

Where is your favorite place in São Paulo to get breakfast?

I really enjoy having breakfast at Fasano. It has such an elegant, calm and welcoming atmosphere. It’s one of those places where you can start the day slowly, even within the rhythm and intensity of the city.

Where is your favorite place to get lunch?

I love having lunch at Maní. It’s a restaurant that beautifully translates Brazilian ingredients with both sophistication and creativity. I find it inspiring to see our culinary culture expressed in such an original and refined way.

Where’s your favorite place to get coffee?

I really like Suplicy Cafés. Beyond excellent coffee, it’s a pleasant space for small pauses throughout the day.

Where is your favorite place to get dinner in São Paulo?

One of my favorite places for dinner is Taraz, at Rosewood São Paulo. It represents the city’s new culinary scene very well — sophisticated, creative and rooted in Brazilian ingredients reinterpreted in a contemporary way. It’s more than a dinner — it’s a complete experience of atmosphere, aesthetics and flavor.

If you were planning a trip for yourself in São Paulo, where would you stay?

I would choose Rosewood São Paulo. It reflects the new Brazilian luxury — sophisticated, contemporary and deeply connected to art, design and local culture. I love the feeling of being in a space that celebrates Brazil in such an authorial and elegant way, without excess, but with a strong identity.

What’s one tourist attraction you think is well worth the visit?

Avenida Paulista. I think it represents São Paulo very well: movement, culture, architecture, art and diversity all in one place. Especially on Sundays, when the avenue takes on an even more special energy.

If you had time to visit only one museum or gallery while in São Paulo, which would you pick?

I would choose MASP. Beyond being an architectural icon, its collection is extraordinary. Art has always been a major source of inspiration for me, especially when it comes to color, form and storytelling.

Where do you shop for fashion, beauty, etc. in São Paulo? What do you think are the most unique stores you frequent?

I really enjoy the Jardins neighborhood, especially for its curated selection of both Brazilian and international brands. I also love visiting smaller, more artisanal stores where I can find pieces with identity and craftsmanship.

What’s a good place to buy souvenirs in São Paulo? Is there a spot you like for its specific item?

I like Feira da Benedito Calixto for finding pieces with a Brazilian soul — handcrafts, decorative objects and vintage items. I think these are souvenirs that carry history and authenticity.

What’s the place to take in nature in/around São Paulo?

I really like going to a farmhouse in Atibaia. It’s a place where I can truly slow down and reconnect with nature. I love the simple sophistication of the countryside — the silence, the greenery and this slower rhythm that contrasts so beautifully with the intensity of the city.

What’s your favorite recent discovery in São Paulo?

My most recent discovery has been observing the growing movement of new Brazilian creatives — artists, designers, chefs and entrepreneurs who are reinterpreting Brazil in very interesting ways. São Paulo continues to be a major stage for this.

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Once upon a time, in a land of logomania and iPods, a young Anne Hathaway performed a glittering rendition of Queen’s hit song “Somebody to Love” at a giant’s wedding during the quest to find her fairy godmother — ah, 2004’s “Ella Enchanted,” Y2K Medievalism at its finest. 

The fantasy-comedies of the turn of the century introduced a new subculture, one that revived the Arthurian fantasies of the Middle Ages through a meta-satirical lens on 2000s politics. Or, in the words of medieval revival enthusiast and historical costume designer Samantha Franco, it’s about “reimagining the past with modern sensibilities.” The fusion led to brightly colored velvet mini dresses, metal-infused designs and intricately beaded corsets infiltrating mainstream fashion.

This style actually harkens back to the medieval revival that preceded it, in the mid-1960s. Born amid the counterculture movement, revivalists rerooted medieval fashion with ’70s-inspired silhouettes, flowy blouses, flared pants and psychedelic patterns. 

And once again, as fashion cyclically does, we’ve arrived at its next resurgence. Nowadays, Phoebe Bridgers parades as a magical elf in a suburban American neighborhood for her new single; Brittany Broski knights celebrities into her “Royal Court” kingdom and the inescapable “GRWM to go to the Ren Faire” videos on my FYP every fall seem all too familiar. The revival seems like a natural progression of the coquette, upcycled fashion wave, and a complete antithesis to quiet luxury. Ahead, we welcome flowy “Shakespearean” tops and chainmail accents, giving otherwise medieval silhouettes a 2026 twist.

Most everything the medieval revival brings reads as a refusal of everything modern. Earlier movements were, in large part, reactions against social turmoil: class consciousness during Victorian-era industrialization, the Vietnam War and McCarthyism in the 1960s, and the onset of the digital age in the 2000s. It was only a matter of time before big tech and rising conservatism brewed a dark age of our own, priming the fashion landscape for another medieval resurgence.

“The nostalgia mixed with the ultimate form of escapism, romantic fantasy, gives people the chance to escape the pressures of the real world under a chainmail hood,” Rosie Evans, a “high fantasy” fashion designer, says.

What better way to shield oneself from the stripping away of bodily autonomy than by putting on a sheer tunic by Ralph Lauren (a piece that vaguely resembles a 15th-century chainmail coif)?

At its core, the medieval revival aesthetic is an act of resistance, deeply rooted in society’s yearning for a way of life that pre-dates ChatGPT and the term “broligarchy.” The concept brings with it notions of slower living. “Medieval clothing was all made by hand out of natural fibers, and I think the fatigue with fast fashion is making us long for that again,” Franco says.

“I think we all wish that we lived within walking distance of each other and [were] gossiping in the town square rather than in group chats,” says Ali Ambrose, a digital content creator who champions the revival through beauty and hair content. “[The medieval] revival feels authentic, but within the aesthetic bounds that we’re all spoiled by nowadays.”

Ironically, but not unexpectedly, the style’s popularization is being led by groups that were marginalized in medieval times. Women, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ creators are curating and designing looks that subvert historical norms — from Chappell Roan clad in Joan of Arc-style armor to the Pinterest-viral dress from Betsey Johnson’s 1997 fall collection that many, including Ambrose, are “obsessively searching” for.

Now, look forth, see (and shop!) our favorite medieval revival pieces of the moment.

Samantha Pleet Muse Corset in Midnight Tapestry, $230, available here

Samantha Pleet Joan of Arc Baby Tee, $90, available here

Anna Sui Lingerie Lace Knit Camisole in Blush, $250, available here

En Route Cordelia Dome Bangle, $52, available here

The Ekhator Label Sisi Heels, $380 $258, available here

Reformation Palmira Top, $168, available here

Vivaia Square-Toe Mary Janes (Margot Mary Jane), $149, available here

Parallel X Studio Leather Belt Bag Brown, $144, available here

Madomorpho Cream Silk Bloomers, €230 ($263), available here

Andrea Iyamah Dani Mini Lace Dress Ivory, $380, available here

Free People Cora Crochet Knit Skull Cap, $30, available here

Free People Spring Fling Mini Dress, $168, available here

Hey Ricochet Illuminated French Pin, $28, available here

Joélle Bone Cross Cuff, $109, available here

Rosie Evans Knight Cardigan, £300 ($396), available here

Lelet Dahlia Jacquard Padded Headband, $128, available here

Rosie Evans Time Can Change Jumper, £350 ($462), available here

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