In the age of social media, endless inspiration can easily be accessed right in your pocket. Social media influencers and trendsetters are influential in making an outfit or accessory go viral. Thanks to the array of endorsements they receive from brands and labels.
After all, drama and hype are the key ingredients to transform a piece from a runway staple to a trendy item that dominates public perception that everybody wants to get their hands on. For those watching the social media chatter, these 2023 “it” pieces have made their way into women’s hearts, demanding an irreplaceable spot in their closets.
If you would like to know more about the hottest trendsetters, here are a few items driving a wave in the fashion industry through digital engagement.
MSCHF’s Micro Louis Vuitton Bag
If you ever questioned the meaning of small, here is a trendsetter that will exceed your expectations. The fluorescent minuscule MSCHF handbag measures just 657 by 222 by 700 microns, less than 0.03 inches wide. The bag was sold at an auction in June 2023 for $63,000 US dollars. Barely visible, the bag is designed after the ever-popular Louis Vuitton brand. The Brooklyn-based MSCHF designer group claims it’s narrow enough to pass through a needle’s eye.
Diesel’s B-Berny Belt Miniskirt
Recently featured in the Spring/summer 2023 runway collection, the Diesel B-Berny belt can also be worn as a mini skirt. Ingenious and creative, it replaces practicality with hardened leather embossed with an oversized oval D logo. Tiptoeing between a belt and a tiny skirt, Diesel showcased several colorful variations that caught the attention of celebrities and influencers.
Miu Miu’s ballet flats found newfound joy after selling remarkably well when first released in the Spring 2016 collection. According to Lyst, a fashion technology company and shopping app, 2022 was the year of Miu Miu, with the brand making giant financial leaps. After their infamous appearance on the runway, the term “balletcore” began trending on Tik Tok. Pinterest also reported that the search volume for “ballerina style” increased on its trending searches.
Flowers say it all; a new tropical bloom went viral after Loewe’s Spring/Summer 2023 collection was revealed. The remarkable anthurium gained increasing popularity adorning dresses, transforming bras into fantastic floral pieces, shoes, and bags. The exotic blooms were quickly embraced by celebrities, including Zendaya, who posted a photo of herself wearing a Loewe anthurium dress, along with other celebrities like Taylor Russel and Jenna Ortega.
Founded in 2013 by Sebastian Meyer and Arnauld Vaillant, the French designer is known for pushing conventional boundaries. Their Spring/Summer 2023 show in Paris created a buzz when American model Bella Hadid walked nearly naked and was sprayed with a white off-shoulder dress. The substance is a patented spray-on fabric developed by a London-based company. It initially looked like a spider’s web and eventually thickened, drying into a pebbled material that effectively mummified the model. In the photos, the dress looked like silk or cotton, but when touched, it felt soft and elastic like a sponge.
Coperni’s Glass Mini Swipe Bag
Looking more like an art piece, Coperni’s glass bag is unique in its own right. The hand-blown glass bag is crafted in northern France without molds or machines. It has a strong celebrity following, with some famous names like Kyle Jenner, Kim Kardashian, and Doja Cat obsessing over it.
Y/Project x Jean Paul Gaultier Morph Dress and Tank Top
Glenn Martens, a Belgian fashion designer, worked collaboratively with the infamous designer Jean Paul Gaultier to reimagine the feminine physique; the result was the iconic Body Morph dress and tank top. The top makes a sexy statement with a second skin silhouette covered in brightly coloured stripes to emphasize the illusion of the feminine form.
With its ultra-low fit, imperfect pleats, raw hemline, and exposed pockets, the Miu Miu skirt graced magazine covers and the bodies of celebrities and influencers. The skirt even has its own Instagram account and is the subject of articles about its reach. The mini skirt complements a crop top and has been making waves on social media, with several celebrities sporting its trendy look.
Released in April 2022, Uniqlo’s mini shoulder bag has been selling like hotcakes and is considered Uniqlo’s best-selling bag of all time. Made of Nylon, it is available in ten colours and can be worn on the shoulder in a crossbody style. The bag went viral when a Tik Tok user posted a 43 second video of herself unpacking her belongings from it. The video has been watched over 700,000 times, with the Uniqlobag hashtag receiving over 80 million views.
The collaboration between the Swiss watchmaker and Omega has taken the world by storm. The watch has been making skyrocketing sales worldwide. The limited-edition collection is priced higher than the average Swatch watch, yet that hasn’t deterred crowds worldwide from queuing up for hours to get their hands on it. Bloomberg reported that Swatch sold over a million MoonSwatch timepieces in 2022 alone.
Aaron Levinson | Staff Writer
