Latest news with #MobWife
Fashion Network
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
From mob wife to MAGA woman: TikTok trends are losing steam
It's not easy keeping up with so many flash-in-the-pan fads, from 'tomato girl' to 'pilates princess,' particularly as the economy darkens. Fatigue has set in, and consumers are now prioritizing their personal style over every new 'core' and trend. That's trickier for brands to be part of, but they are tapping in — for example, through bag charms, which fashion and luxury has embraced, and Labubu dolls, playing into the need to express one's identity through customization. TikTok and Pinterest, the photo-pinning app, are also making valiant attempts to continue to shape fashion. 'Castlecore' and 'Medievalcore' are among the few aesthetics to break through recently, though they reflect the broader 'pop girl' phenomenon in culture, as they're inspired by singer Chappell Roan's adoption of chain mail and headwear. (They also demonstrate, as Kayla Marci, who writes the Haute Garbage Substack, told me, that Gen Z's nostalgia has cycled through recent decades and is reaching ever further back.) Yet of the more than 100 micro-trends tracked by market-intelligence company Trendalytics across social media, online search and e-commerce, 60% are declining while only 20% are gaining traction. Even though US users still spend more time per day on TikTok than Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat, according to Sensor Tower, the moment when the platform became the epicenter of trend forecasting, with users naming new aesthetics at a frenetic pace, has passed. We haven't really had a fashion narrative that's broken into the mainstream since Mob Wife. There is one notable exception: the 'recession core' trend, which includes making your own beauty products and finding hair styles that need little maintenance. TikTok posts featuring 'recession core' are increasing by over 3,000% week on week, and average views of tagged videos are up about 1,000% week on week, according to Trendalytics. This reflects the current obsession across society and finance with spotting recession indicators, from sardine-themed fashion (because the fish are cheap and filling) to longer hemlines (said to fall in tough times). There are few, if any, actual products referencing the trend, underlining the challenges for brands of such online conversations coalescing around broader cultural, economic and political themes. These are far more difficult for retailers to navigate than having the right width of jean leg or latest fruit print dress. Take Boom Boom, at the other extreme from 'recession core,' which emphasizes '80s-inspired excess, perhaps reflecting the Trump era's embrace of money and power. The catwalks for fall featured fur, big shoulders, and at Prada SpA's MiuMiu even exaggerated bras. While the minimalism of the past couple of years has been good for some luxury houses, such as Brunello Cucinelli SpA, Prada and LVMH 's Loro Piana, for others, such as Kering SA's Gucci, it has been a disaster. Many companies would love to see a return to logos and more ostentatious dressing. But whether they would fully embrace conspicuous consumption — against the current backdrop of tariff-driven anxiety — is another matter. Even more daunting are politically driven movements, beginning with Trad Wife, which espoused traditionally female roles, and morphing into the more overt MAGA Woman look, characterized by sheath dresses, high heels, flowing tresses and plumped-up lips. Creator Suzanne Lambert took this even further, parodying so-called 'Republican Beauty,' for too pale concealer and clumpy mascara, racking up 6.4 million TikTok views in the process. Few brands have weighed in, despite the potential to sell products. The Mar-a-Lago Face has probably peaked, but given the fracturing of society, it may not be the last divisive trend to emerge. That presents a dilemma for companies. Yet Cassandra Napoli, head of marketing and events at trend forecaster WGSN, told me that consumers are increasingly prioritizing 'ethics over aesthetics,' voting with their wallets and spending their time with businesses that reflect their values. 'Not getting political will not be an option,' she said, even if it was a double-edged sword. Perhaps the narrative that's most concerning for fashion and beauty companies is that of buying less, or nothing at all. Underconsumption has been gaining ground for the past year or so, showcasing a simpler life — streamlining beauty regimes and wearing vintage clothes, for example, are in vogue right now. Brands can respond by focusing on fewer product lines, but more meaningful 'hero' items or embracing vintage in their selections. That's a hard pill to swallow if you believe the whole raison d'etre of the consumer economy is to sell. Making sure stores had enough leopard print and chunky gold jewelry to meet Mob Wife's gaudy tastes feels almost quaint now.
Vogue
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
Alfredo Martínez Mexico Fall 2025 Collection
Alfredo Martínez continues to draw from the allure of powerful, sensual women for his collections. Last season's inspiration was Carmen Mondragón—also known as Nahui Olin, the painter and poet synonymous with Mexican avant-garde femininity. This season he turned to another icon, the actress and singer Sasha Montenegro, a Mexican screen siren of Italian descent known for her glamorous mystique. The opening look set a dramatic tone; the sleek black dress paired and voluminous faux fur coat evoked a collective 'wow' from the audience. It was a clear signal that Martínez continues to deliver for women who want to command attention. 'It's synthetic fur,' he clarified backstage, nodding to the Mob Wife aesthetic trend. The designer's staples—tailored suits, black dresses, and power silhouettes—were elevated through strategic details: oversized gold buttons, plush stoles that emphasized the shoulders, and controlled draping that sculpted the body. The silhouette was classic Martínez: sharp shoulders, cinched waists, and curve-skimming skirts. Decades later, it still works—and he knows it. There's a kind of clothing that functions as armor, and this was it. While sensuality remained front and center—at times overtly so—there was also a sense of mystery, a deliberate withholding. That effect was amplified by the oversized sunglasses that completed nearly every look, Martínez's new venture into accessories. While past seasons leaned heavily into bold colors and metallics, this collection pivoted toward a more grounded palette. Earth tones were the focus, offset by crisp black and white, a timeless combination. Martinez's strength lies in tailoring, and the collection's strongest moments were precisely those where structure met seduction. Perfectly balanced proportions ensured that suiting felt both commanding and undeniably feminine.
Business of Fashion
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Business of Fashion
Are Viral Microtrends Losing Their Cool?
The author has shared a Podcast. You will need to accept and consent to the use of cookies and similar technologies by our third-party partners (including: YouTube, Instagram or Twitter), in order to view embedded content in this article and others you may visit in future. Subscribe to the BoF Podcast here. Background: Viral microtrends, the fleeting aesthetics popularised on platforms like TikTok, have defined recent fashion moments for young consumers. From the playful 'Cottagecore' to the fleeting 'Mob Wife', these trends have rapidly cycled through social media feeds and retail shelves. Post-pandemic experimentation drove this cycle, however, the once-accelerating churn of microtrends is beginning to slow, as Gen-Z shoppers seek authenticity, durability and individuality in their fashion choices. On this episode of The Debrief, senior editorial associate Joan Kennedy joins senior correspondent Sheena Butler-Young to talk about what's behind the slowdown in microtrends and what this shift means for retailers and brands. Key Insights: Microtrends gained momentum post-pandemic when young consumers had extra savings, more leisure time, and a desire to explore various identities through fashion. However, the novelty and playful experimentation eventually led to consumer fatigue. Kennedy explains, 'Young shoppers are really looking to grasp onto something solid right now,' noting an increased awareness that many trends felt 'goofy' or even 'fake.' She adds, 'people are talking more than ever about just this viral churn and how wasteful it is.' Young consumers increasingly align their fashion choices with specific cultural events, creating marketing opportunities for retailers. 'This whole sense of 'what I am doing is how I'm dressing' has become very popular among young shoppers,' Kennedy explains, highlighting opportunities around events like the Barbie movie and Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter tour. Retailers can better predict long-lasting trends by monitoring multi-season appeal and connections beyond social media. Kennedy cites Revolve's chief merchandising officer, Divya Mathur, who recommends looking for trends that 'span multiple seasons' and have relevance across social media, runway, and pop culture. Kennedy advises retailers to 'lean into more evergreen, identity-based marketing,' and rethink 'what virality looks like' as consumer engagement evolves. 'With a lot of these trends, something goes viral and a brand gets a tonne of sales. But let's take a step back as that might shift and brands have to be ready for that.' Additional Resources:
