Modern Fashion as a Reflection of Society, Emotion, & the World

By: Ava Privratsky

10 / 15 / 2024 

 Fashion has been and always will be a mirror of the times. It is not just a powerful form of self-expression but it completely encapsulates the air and consciousness of a time in history. 

Designers create collections and looks that reflect the social, political, cultural, and economic states of the world. We can see throughout history how fashion has responded to significant events, evolving based on people’s emotions, needs, and desires. 

Trends may lean utilitarian versus extravagant, reserved versus experimental, or muted versus flamboyant; this depends on what is happening in the world and how people react to important events. Stylistic choices made by designers and consumers speak to the rawness of their lives, experiences, and mindsets, as they use fashion as an art in expressing their attitudes, feelings, and overall identities. 

It is exciting to analyze styles and trends with this mindset, viewing them as products of the societal state of the world and a reflection of the current zeitgeist. Two couture brands that stand out in their expression of the current times are Chloé and Schiaparelli. Specifically, in their recently released F/W 24/25 collections, the brands are aligned in their messaging and highlight a collective ideology seen in the world today – the fight for freedom. 

Chloé’s F/W 24/25 collection, by creative director Chemena Kamali, emphasized the idea of dressing intuitively. The collection used movement, lightness, and fluidity among dramatic contrasts of dark and light colors and various textures to encourage feeling and expression. Kamali stated that the collection is about how the clothes make you feel, daring women to be themselves, embrace their emotions, and thrive despite the confining state of the world.

Schiaparelli’s F/W 24/25 collection, by creative director Daniel Roseberry, was titled “The Phoenix”. Every look is a work of art within itself, with Roseberry prioritizing the art of the pieces rather than the marketing and merchandising. The designs have an air of mystification and are meant to elicit emotion in the audience. Like a phoenix, the collection rises up and reinvents fashion itself.

The common theme in both collections is breaking away from how society, politics, and cultural norms attempt to hold people back. These collections encourage individuals to rebel against the confinement of conformity and take control of their own lives and freedom. For Chloé, it is helping women break free from the confines of society and embrace self-expression and emotion. For Schiaparelli, it is breaking free from the confines of the economy and embracing art and meaningful work.

Fashion is a visual communicator, expressing people’s relationship with the world around them. From now on, when you see a new collection or read a statement from a creative director, think deeper about how their work reflects the society in which we live. The next time you reflect on your style, consider taking inspiration from your emotions and perception of the world. Do with fashion whatever makes you feel the most fulfilled, inspired, and free.

Courtesy of Chloé and Schiaparelli