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Fashion, like cinema, can express bold visions of an unwritten future. Characters in iconic films become inspirations for fans, prompting major fashion houses to bring their styles to the runway.

The glamorous 1920s

In the U.S., the 1920s are known as the “golden age” due to the economic boom following World War I. This was a decade of lavish, spectacular and stunning fashion. When watching recent films set in the 1920s, we can see how directors continuously recreate that splendor. During this period, women loved to flaunt short bob hairstyles, wear glittering flapper dresses that reached the knee and dance to the vibrant rhythms of jazz music. Whether the fleeting American dream in The Great Gatsby (2013) or the explosive transformations of the entertainment industry in Babylon (2022), cinema knows how to immerse us in the era’s aesthetics through costumes and settings. These values have inspired major fashion houses to create exquisite designs on the runway.

Ballet muse

Balletcore, a trend inspired by the attire of ballerinas, has permeated cinema, creating dreamy scenes with soft colors, feminine outfits and romantic settings. However, the aesthetic trend of balletcore did not originate from cinema but came directly from the performance stages of skilled dancers. Only when this style, characterized by tulle, wool, bows and airy color palettes, entered famous films did balletcore truly elevate and spread globally. To this day, images of Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City (1998) with her voluminous tulle skirts floating across New York streets, or Audrey Hepburn with her signature ballet flats, continue to captivate fashion lovers. Recently, the film Emily in Paris (2020) has become a new lookbook of ballet-inspired outfits, contributing to a sophisticated and feminine fashion style.

The many shades of punk

The punk movement exploded in 1970s England with a manifesto expressing a rebellious spirit and prioritizing individual freedom. When it comes to glamorous yet gritty outfits, fashion enthusiasts found a touchstone in Cruella (2021), a film that created luxurious evening gowns in punk style. Rewinding further, aficionados recall the fashion legacy of legendary designer Vivienne Westwood, immortalized in the animated film NANA (2006), adapted from the manga of the same name by Ai Yazawa. In the film, characters appear in fur coats from Vivienne’s classic Anglomania collection, particularly the iconic British plaid designs from her 1993-1994 line. The Saturn symbol also adorns accessories punctuated with studs, spikes and chains for a rebellious flourish.

Tenniscore – Inspired by the court

As the world eagerly embraces major sporting events from Euro 2024 to the Paris 2024 Olympics, dynamic sportswear has already graced fashion runways. But the resounding success of the film Challengers (2024) has brought tennis into the spotlight as a source of inspiration for high fashion.

For a long time, the basic white sports uniform has sparked the creativity of many designers, resulting in a fresh, sophisticated and elegant look for tennis fashion. Creative director Jonathan Anderson has incorporated many elements of this sport into the collections of Loewe and JW Anderson and conveyed his design philosophy into the costumes of Challengers. Gucci is another prime example of continuing a sustainable relationship with tennis since the 1970s, with its latest campaign featuring rising tennis star Jannik Sinner.