5 key trends from Paris Fashion Week SS23

The Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2023 shows are officially over, along with this “fashion month” season as a whole. From iconic brands like Balechiga and Givenchy to designers like T LABEL and HODAKOVA, there are a number of key trends that will pop up at more than a few shows.

London Fashion Week SS23 spawned trends like motorsport and metallics, both of which headed to Paris in some capacity thanks to Junya Watanabe and Sakai. General trends, however, include the likes of a glitzy resurgence and rising wealth alongside new developments on the low end.

Read on to learn more about the five key trends that dominated the runways at PFW this season.

Glittercore

If London Fashion Week was all silver, Paris Fashion Week’s rebuttal silver was then limited. Glittercore is back with a vengeance, featuring Vivienne Westwood’s knee-high boots and two-pieces, Stella McCartney cap dresses and Balenciaga strapless gowns. Brands like Givenchy and Ester Manas featured glittery pieces in their SS23 collections, and as party season approaches, we can expect to see a lot more where they come from.

Low-rising layer

The low-rise trend is still alive, although it is not very inclusive. That said, this season designers seem to have taken that into consideration by offering fans of the trend new ways to wear it. By layering low-rise pieces over other clothes, it creates an opportunity to show visible waist belts, to show off the variety of photos, and to show comfortable trends for many body types. With Miu Miu’s low-cut belts, Sakai’s statement dresses and Kiko Kostadinov’s dress and flash ensembles, it’s clear that the popular fashion trend isn’t going anywhere fast, but at least it’s becoming a little more wearable.

Useful fabrics

With the looming recession, rising cost of living and rising prices, designers are taking it upon themselves this season to reduce, reuse and recycle more than ever. From Germanier’s upcycled bead co-ord to emerging brand T LABEL’s beloved white glove dress, this season saw brands use existing materials to create something new without waste. Swedish designer Ellen Hodakova Larsen of HODAKOVA was one of those, especially when she used old bras to make skirts, vintage belted tops and shoes, and military shirts to make miniskirts.

Anything is interchangeable.

The previous trend may continue, with PFW accessories giving a whole new life (or old life, shall we say), taking existing furniture and turning it into statement pieces. From Balenciaga’s fake baby bags and Loewe’s deflated balloon pumps to Botter’s tongue-in-cheek condom gloves, this season has shown that with a little creativity, anything can be an accessory.

Feminism is back

Celebrating all things feminine, from corsets and heels to historical women, PFW aims to celebrate designers’ choices and, most importantly, reclaim the female form. Characterized by nipple-bearing fabrics, ultra-cuts and reinvented corsets, brands such as Ester Manas, Kiko Kostadinov and Dior have demonstrated their commitment to femininity.