Written by Morgan Perry
This year in fashion, we’ve seen Barbie’s red carpet takeover, a controversial figure honored at the Met Gala, innovative Paris Fashion Week runway shows, and concert couture from Beyonce and Taylor Swift. Let’s count down the most memorable fashion moments of 2023.
Schiaparelli Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2023
Schiaparelli started the year off with a bang during Paris Fashion Week. The Spring-Summer Haute Couture runway show presented stunning looks on and off the runway. Doja Cat made headlines for attending the show covered head to toe in 30,000 Swarvoski crystals. Meanwhile, Kylie Jenner matched model Irina Shayk with her lion head dress.
Margot Robbie Barbie Press Run
Margot Robbie referenced several looks from the iconic doll during the unforgettable, but short, Barbie press run. Robbie’s stylist, Andrew Mukamal, dressed her in custom looks from Schiaparelli, Versace, Vivienne Westwood, Moschino, and Emilio Pucci, and also pulled many vintage ensembles from the Chanel and Versace archives to transform Robbie into a human Barbie. Some looks directly reference classic Barbie dolls, such as Day to Night Barbie, Totally Hair Barbie, Solo in the Spotlight Barbie, and the first version of the doll in her iconic black and white swimsuit. Although red carpets were limited in 2023 due to the SAG AFTRA strike, Robbie and Mukama made Barbie one of the best film press runs last year.
Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty (Met Gala)
Karl Lagerfeld was the creative director of Chanel from 1983 to his death in 2019 and also worked for fashion houses Fendi and Chloe during his lifetime. Lagerfeld is hailed for being one of the fashion industry’s best designers and for reviving the luxury fashion house Chanel by revamping its ready-to-wear line creating the 90s iconic tweed suits. On the first Monday in May, celebrities gathered at the Met Gala to honor Lagerfeld’s legacy by pulling looks from the Chanel, Fendi, and Chloe archives and paying homage to the man himself by dressing as him and his living pet, cat Choupette. Of course, there was some controversy regarding Lagerfeld’s past sexist and body-shaming comments regarding plus-sized women, including singer Adele, as well as his stances on fur and the #Metoo movement. The controversy was speculated to be the reason that iconic Met attendees Zendaya and Blake Lively were not in attendance. Besides, celebrities who wore pink may have done this as a silent jab at Lagerfeld, who famously hated the color.
Rihanna’s Superbowl Halftime Performance
Rihanna’s music comeback certainly did not disappoint on the fashion front! The singer rocked a red Loewe jumpsuit with a matching breastplate, a floor-length Alaïa puffer coat with built-in gloves referencing Andre Leon Talley, and a pair of MM6 Maison Margiela X Solomon.
Renaissance Tour Fashion
To match the futuristic dancehall vibe of the Renaissance Album, Beyonce pulled out all the stops for her tour, causing a global silver fashion comeback. On stage, she wore designs from Mugler, Loewe, Balmain, Telfar, Emilio Pucci, Diesel, Alexander Mcqueen, Gucci, and many more.
Eras Tour Fashion
Taylor Swift wore 16 different looks that changed in each city to showcase the ten eras of her highly decorated music career. The singer transformed herself by transitioning from bedazzled bodysuits, fringe mini dresses, and matching skirt sets to whimsical gowns that looked straight out of a fairytale. The concert featured pieces and gowns from designers Robert Cavalli, Versace, Nicole + Felicia, Alberta Ferretti, and more.
Quiet Luxury
Quiet luxury became the most sought-after aesthetic in 2023. The term refers to clothing made with high-quality materials; neutrals and basics with good tailoring and beautiful fabrics. The internet deemed Sofia Richie, Gweneth Paltrow, and Jennifer Lawrence as celebrity inspirations for the trend. The HBO show Succession is also credited for pioneering quiet luxury. Cardigans, long pleated skirts, loafers, straight-leg jeans, trousers, and long trench coats are top quiet luxury items. The trend brought brands The Row, Bottega Venetta, Max Mara, and Brunello Cucinelli to the forefront of fashion popularity.
Halle Bailey The Little Mermaid Premiere
The highly anticipated The Little Mermaid live-action film finally premiered summer 2023. Star Halle Bailey wore numerous looks referencing the sea and her character Ariel during the L.A., London, and Sydney, Australia premiere. She wore custom Ms. Sohee in London, an iridescent shell look in L.A., and a sleek, blue satin dress with a bodice structured to look like coral for the Syndey premiere.
The Best of Zendaya
Last year was bound to be Zendaya’s with the prospective release of her starring films, Dune Part Two and Challengers. Once again, the SAG strike stopped us from beholding breathtaking movie press tour looks, but we were still able to get glimpses of Zendaya at the Paris Fashion Week Louis Vuitton show (whom she is an ambassador for), and the SAG, NAACP, and NMACC Gala in Mumbai, India. Her best looks include a handcrafted rose gown from Valentino, a vintage Versace gown, and a stunning sari from Indian designer Rahul Mishra.