Latest news with #designer
Fast Company
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Fast Company
The Y2K fashion revival tells a story that brands need to hear
It's no secret that we see fashion trends come full circle. But sometimes a trend resurfaces not because of how it makes people look, but because of how it makes them feel. The revival of Y2K fashion, which had redefined what clothing was meant to be seen versus hidden, is one case where the message is driving the trend. THE RETURN TO UNAPOLOGETIC SELF-EXPRESSION In the Y2K era—the late '90s and early 2000s—people dressed in ways that highlighted their individuality, and what we now call 'innerwear' was often what anchored their looks. Items like tank tops and bralettes became the foundation of an outfit, and boxer waistbands were confidently displayed. The style's characteristic innovation is what gives it intergenerational appeal and staying power. Today, consumers are revamping this aesthetic by styling those familiar pieces in ways that speak to a modern-day lifestyle. A Y2K-inspired work outfit could be a ribbed tank paired with tailored pants, while an event look might combine a bralette and an open blazer. This fashion moment isn't just about replicating a cultural phenomenon. It demonstrates a craving for self-expression that's original, bold and genuinely effortless. With classic pieces of innerwear as their foundation, people are discovering their unique style, whether that means embracing the past, staying grounded in the present, or experimenting with what is still to come. And that's a lesson clothing brands should take to heart. As a designer, it's essential to identify emerging trends that align with the cultural values and identity of the brand you are designing for. Strategizing based on consumer insights and data helps you determine the right timing for introducing new items or collections that harmonize with your existing offerings. You can also refresh your core offerings with updated fabrics, colors, patterns, or silhouettes. By understanding the context behind a trend, you can forge authentic connections through thoughtful styling and targeted marketing. Whether you're trying to attract new consumers or re-engage with existing ones, the key will be establishing a reputation as the go-to source for in-demand products. HOW HANES HAS EMBRACED THE Y2K REVIVAL At Hanes, our design philosophy has always been about the connection between everyday essentials and personal expression. Our pieces were never meant to be purely functional. They're crafted with personality, comfort, quality, and fit in mind—things that never go out of style. So the reemergence of Y2K fashion gave us an opportunity to think about our basics in a new way. How can a simple cotton tee make a statement? How can a boxer brief send a message? We weren't looking to take a trip down memory lane for nostalgia's sake. We wanted to lean into this cultural moment and tap into a style mindset that still connects with today's consumer. That's how we came up with our recent Urban Outfitters collaboration. The capsule collection features new takes on early 2000s staples like ribbed tanks, cropped crews, haltertops, bodysuits, and boxer briefs. But we also stayed true to our core value of creating trustworthy clothing that's uncomplicated, expressive, and, most importantly, comfortable for every body. Fashion constantly evolves, yet it's often the simplest pieces that leave the deepest, most lasting mark. Y2K fashion's revival is more than a nod to the past. It's a cultural shift toward embracing style as a way of expressing confidence, individuality, and comfort. The reemergence highlights how foundational fashion pieces have lasting power as tools for personal storytelling. For designers and brands, success lies beyond identifying what's trending. It requires knowing why it matters, when to act, and how to deliver with authenticity and brand positioning. By staying agile, listening to consumers, and taking calculated, creative risks, brands can stay relevant and inspire genuine connection.
Vogue
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vogue
Why the Clueless Costumes Still Feel Timeless 30 Years Later
Transcendent as it may be, the film's fashion is not exactly meant to be attainable in terms of affordability. 'This is a movie about girls who have daddy's credit cards and they can go shopping at runway shows and designer clothes,' May says. Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs, and Alexander McQueen were on the mood board, while Alaïa ('an A-what-a?') and Calvin Klein are name-dropped in the script. But in reality, the film's $25 million budget—roughly $60 million in 2025, still on the lower end of a mid-budget movie—did not allow for the Rodeo Drive wardrobe that the characters would have owned. 'I went for the designer pieces, but then I had to get the thrift store stuff and alter everything,' May says. 'Nobody mixed things like that before. The high and low didn't exist. I think that also is what gave this timelessness.' ph: Elliot Marks / © Paramount Pictures/ Courtesy: Everett Collection What kept May grounded, at the end of the day, was the realization that the film was about teen girls. Sure, they were shopping with grown-up cash, but they were still figuring it all out. (Brands like Trina Turk, Miss Sixty, and Betsey Johnson helped inject the youthfulness.) 'It's young girls, 16 years old. They're not supermodels walking around. They're innocent,' May says. 'I think that's why the movie is beloved—because they feel real.'
New York Times
2 days ago
- General
- New York Times
Tear It Down, They Said. He Just Kept Building.
The structure teeters over fields of knee-high grass, looking like a cross between a camping tent and a giant wedding cake. Eleven stories of dark red wooden rooms, diminishing in size as they ascend, balance atop one another, seemingly held together by only the thicket of cords that stretches from the peak to the ground. Inside feels no less precarious. The ceilings are propped up with repurposed utility poles. Power strips and wires dangle from low-hanging beams. Giant buckets of rainwater help support the weight of the structure. The homemade ladders that connect the floors perch at steep angles, often without handrails at the side. Chen Tianming — the tower's 43-year-old designer, builder and resident — does not need them anyway. He climbed lightly up the ladders, past the fifth-floor reading nook and the sixth-floor open-air tearoom. From the ninth floor, he surveyed the sturdy, standardized apartment buildings in the distance where his neighbors live. 'They say the house is shabby, that it could be blown down by wind at any time,' he said — an observation that did not seem altogether far-fetched when I visited him last month. RUSSIA MONGOLIA Beijing CHINA Hangzhou GUIZHOU INDIA Xingyi MYANMAR 500 MILES By The New York Times Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Wall Street Journal
3 days ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Goodbye, Gold Jewelry? Budget-Friendly Silver Is Now ‘Cooler, Sharper and More Fashion-Forward.'
Call it the opposite-of-gold rush. You might say it started in 2022, when the debut of Bottega Veneta's bulbous silver-drop earrings spawned countless dupes, leading many women to ardently seek out argent accessories. Over the past few seasons, silver has arguably overtaken gold as the metal de rigueur. What's behind the shift?
The Herald
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald
Meet the designer behind the glamour of Mzansi's A-listers
From the red carpet to reality TV, Zah Makhanya is the creative genius behind some of the most iconic fashion moments in South Africa. Founder of Miracle Lux Couture by Zah, she is not only a highly sought-after fashion designer, but also a dynamic businesswoman, entrepreneur and wife whose style empire continues to grow. Zah has styled and dressed Mzansi stars including including the late kwaito legend Mshoza, veteran actress Baby Cele, rising star Lorraine Moropa, Big Brother Mzansi 's Ashley Ogley, Omuhle Gela and Zamo Dlamini. Her designs have also made appearances on popular Mzansi reality TV shows, further cementing her influence in the entertainment industry "I believe in helping women feel powerful, confident, and beautiful, not only through what they wear, but how they carry themselves. Fashion is more than fabric. It's a way of being," Zah told TshisaLIVE. "My most memorable moments must have been dressing the late Mshoza, who was always representing my brand with courage and style. I remember watching TV and seeing my dresses on the reality show. I cried and said I wish my mother was alive to witness this. She was always motivating me to work hard. Recently seeing Ashley from Big Brother Mzansi wearing my dresses at the Durban July warmed my heart. It makes me happy to see people loving and feeling great in our pieces." When Zah started in 2014, she was selling clothes and juggling a corporate job. Today she curates special designs to make women feel beautiful, confident and strong. Her flagship brand is renowned for its show-stopping gowns and sophisticated suits. "My process starts with a vision. I look at what's trending, what clients need and what makes a woman feel good. I choose quality fabrics, sketch ideas and work closely with my team to bring them to life. I'm also influenced by what I see during my travels and what people are asking for. We get many of out garments from different parts of the world and bring different styles for our clients." Expanding beyond fashion, Zah launched Zahfro Vietnam Hair, a luxury hair brand offering premium Vietnamese hair products. "Hair is part of how women express themselves. By offering the products, I'm giving women more ways to feel confident and beautiful. It's not only about looks, it's about how you feel. I used to self-test and buy quality hair products. Clients kept asking me about my hair and if I sold the products. I started Zahfro Vietnam Hair to meet the demand." Zah has plans in the pipeline to cement her name in the fashion industry. "We recently opened a store in Midrand, and we plan to expand to more areas in South Africa and even abroad. I also want to start masterclasses to help women and young girls with self-esteem and confidence through fashion. We believe with time we will be one of the biggest boutique stores in history. Our vision and aim is to make it a generational business and feed hundred of families through job creation."
