Looking back, there were many iconic moments in fashion in the year 2023. From celebrity fashion like Beyonce’s stunning custom looks for the Renaissance Tour, the comings and goings of creative directors of different fashion houses, or even resurging trends like Mary Janes and everything-bows, this year has been a lot.
Conventionally, we measure fashion by seasons—spring, autumn, Haute Couture, and everything else in between. But since fashion and social media are basically inseparable, the defining fashion moments are essentially what went viral—what piqued interests and got people talking, and the best, broke the Internet.
Read on to discover some of the divisive fashion moments in 2023, on and off the runways.
Kylie Jenner's Lion Head Schiaparelli Dress
Although the Schiaparelli velvet column dress sat faultless on Kylie Jenner, the lifelike lion head on her shoulder sparked an uproar on the Internet as many mistook the head for an actual piece of taxidermy. Schiaparelli later clarified, “No animals were harmed in the making of this dress” in caps.
(Image credit: Marc Piasecki/WireImage)
Viktor & Rolf's Upside Down Dress
No, you are not seeing things. The best way to put on a ballgown might just be wearing it upside down. Viktor & Rolf presented a gravity-defying show for its Haute Couture Spring 2023 that split the Internet.
(Image credit: Elsa Hosk’s Instagram @hoskelsa)
Miu Miu's Knickers' Out
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“To pants, or not to pants?” was the hottest topic after Miu Miu closed its Autumn/Winter 2023 with Emma Corrin in jewel-encrusted briefs. Hemline index? 404 error page not found.
MSCHF's Cartoonish Big Boots
From Loewe’s collaboration with Howl’s Moving Castle to Jimmy Choo’s rendition of Sailor Moon boots, cartooning fashion seemed to be one of the major trends this year, but MSCHF’s Astro Boy lookalike “Big Red Boots” and holey yellow ones with Crocs as seen on Victoria Beckham, surely sent shockwaves across the world.
(Image credit L:Victoria Beckham’s Instagram @victoriabeckham, R:Wisdom Kaye’s Instragram @wisdm)
Maison Margiela's Tabi Saga
Real life Tinder Swindler, fashion edition. Following the Margiela Tabi Saga, the cult-favourite Tabi shoe from Maison Margiela went through a spike in searches in the second half of the year, gaining more love (and hate) than ever since its launch in the 80s.
(Image credit: Alexis Dougé’s Instagram @nextlevellexus)
Balenciaga's RM4,000 Towel Skirt
Skirt over trousers, said Balenciaga, except that it’s a terry-cloth Ikea-towel-lookalike that comes with an eye-watering US$925 price tag and strong opinions on social media.
(Image credit: Balenciaga)
Phoebe Philo's Comeback
For the uninitiated, Phoebe Philo is known as the cult designer of her time for many reasons. The high price point set for her long-awaited label, however, left some of the shoppers and Philophiles flabbergasted. Despite that, her debut collection sold out within hours.
(Image credit: Phoebe Philo)