BTS, Barbiecore, Beyonce : 2023 a year of bold fashion trends and iconic styles

Jungkook was one of the BTS members who became fashion brand ambassadors this year. Photo: Instagram/Calvin Klein

This has been a year of the continuing popularity of K-pop, a movie turning a doll into a fashion favourite and new names in the industry.

K-pop stars were at the forefront, pulling in crowds everywhere they went, and with some of the most popular names becoming brand ambassadors for luxury fashion houses.

When it came to trends, the most hyped up was probably the Barbie craze which made the colour pink a staple after the movie premiered.

Concerts became fashion events with Beyonce and Taylor Swift turning them into runway shows.

This year also saw the movement of high-profile fashion designers to lesser-known ones heading fashion brands, and the passing of Paco Rabanne and style icon, Jane Birkin.

K-wave hits fashion

Danielle of K-pop girl group NewJeans was announced as Burberry's global ambassador in January. Photo: Burberry

Fashion houses continued their love affair with K-pop stars in 2023. Numerous big names from South Korea were appointed as global ambassadors.

Jungkook from BTS left everyone hot under the collar in March, when he was announced as the face of Calvin Klein Jeans and Calvin Klein Underwear.

Fellow BTS members were also appointed as ambassadors this year – Jimin (Dior), V (Cartier), J-Hope (Louis Vuitton), Suga (Valentino) and RM (Bottega Veneta).

This is in addition to various other appointments throughout the year such as Danielle from NewJeans for Burberry, Yujin from IVE for Fendi, RIIZE for Louis Vuitton and lots more.

The list is simply endless. The dominance of K-pop stars in fashion did not wane at all throughout the year.

Not to mention that South Korean stars were also familiar faces at fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan and Paris.

K-pop stars who are already ambassadors for brands still drew excitement when new campaigns were released throughout the year.

Blackpink’s Jennie, the most popular South Korean female celebrity (pictured on the cover), brought French chic to Seoul in April.

A Chanel ambassador since 2017, she was photographed carrying the 22 bag alongside other Western celebrities.

She also made headlines recently as the face of cult brand Jacquemus’ “Guirlande” campaign.

Read more: Not so celebrity-driven: Welcome the era of low-profile fashion designers

Pink rules the world

All eyes were on Margot Robbie, as she showed off one pink outfit after another on the red carpet at the Barbie premieres. The colour was even celebrated as a staple for a larger part of 2023.

The live action film also showed how much a doll can act as a fashion inspiration.

The term “Barbiecore” was coined to to coincide with the Barbie film’s release on July 21. It involves dressing up in hot pink and with an extremely feminine aesthetic.

Beyonce in one of the many stunning outfits during her concert tour. Photo: Instagram/Beyonce

Also, don’t forget how rival film Oppenheimer (released on the same date) resulted in a meme being created.

The “Barbenheimer” phenomenon involved fans comparing fashion aesthetics between the two – one dark and sombre, while the other, cloyingly happy.

The red carpet became a battleground where the cast of the two films dressed up according to the vibes. It was as different as night and day.

Barbie recently scored nine nominations for the 2024 Golden Globes, while Oppenheimer snagged eight.

At the Gotham Awards in November, Robbie spoke about portraying the doll.

When asked by E! News on the red carpet, she said that sadly, the clothes were not hers to keep. It shows how much Barbie continues to pique the curiousity of fashion lovers.

The music stage as a runway

Rabanne's death was mourned by those in the industry. Photo: Instagram/Paco Rabanne

This year also gave new meaning to concert fashion. Musicians like Beyonce and Swift made good use of their global tour to parade jaw-dropping designs.

From Alexander McQueen to Balmain, it was a long list of fashion houses on Beyonce’s roster of concert outfits. She even partnered with Tiffany & Co, which designed custom jewellery to be worn on stage.

Swift showed off her style evolution throughout her career. In Versace, Roberto Cavalli, Zuhair Murad, Oscar De La Renta and more; she stunned with her choice of costumes.

Rihanna, who did not stage a concert tour, somehow still became one of this year’s most influential fashion figures.

Together with Beyonce, she was named the most influential in the “Year In Fashion Report” from global fashion shopping platform Lyst.

According to the report, searches for Loewe jumped 140% on Lyst after Beyonce appeared in an outfit designed by the label.

The report also says that Rihanna’s outfits at every one of her red carpet appearances defined fashion. From the Oscars and Golden Globes to the Met Gala, she made headlines whenever she stepped out in front of cameras.

Trend of low-profile designers

Before this year, the people who headed fashion houses comprised some of the largest and loudest personalities. Then, companies decided to hire artisans who are relatively unknown to the public.

Pharrell Williams’ appointment to head Louis Vuitton menswear is the only one bucking the trend.

It has to be said that low-profile does not mean inexperience.

One good example is Chemena Kamali, who replaced Gabriela Hearst as Chloe’s creative director in October.

She has had experience in the fashion industry – she was previously women’s design director at Saint Laurent and has worked for Chloe early in her career. Her name is not as well know as Hearst though.

The same goes for Sean McGirr, who became Alexander McQueen’s creative director that same month. He was head of ready-to-wear at JW Anderson prior to that. He also had stints at Dries Van Noten and Burberry.

Davide Renne was made the head of Moschino in October. Replacing Jeremy Scott, who has a larger-than-life personality, Renne was seen as a counterbalance with his quiet demeanour.

Sadly, Renne died on Nov 10, just nine days after taking on the role.

Read more: Fashion renaissance? How Beyonce's current world tour is like a runway show

Mourning the death of fashion figures

Famous fashion creatives also passed away this year.

Paco Rabanne died at age 88 on Feb 3. The celebrated designer left behind a daring and provocative legacy.

He launched his own eponymous fashion house in 1966, which saw him attain international acclaim.

Rabanne’s designs can be seen as thought-provoking – depending on the zeitgeist of that time, like his debut collection, which featured the use of sharp metals and other unconventional materials.

“I have always had the impression of being a time accelerator,” he was quoted as saying about his designs in 2016.

“Of going as far as is reasonable for one’s time and not indulge in the morbid pleasure of the known things, which I view as decay.”

The fashion industry was also saddened by the death of British and French actress and singer Jane Birkin.

Birkin, who passed away at 76, was known for her effortlessly cool style and was the inspiration for the famous Hermes Birkin bag.

The story goes that she happened to be sitting next to Jean-Louis Dumas, the then- CEO of Hermes, when she spilled the contents of her basket bag.

This then led to Dumas sketching a bag to meet her needs – a spacious hold-all large enough to carry all her belongings.

At the announcement of Birkin’s death on July 16, sales of the Birkin bag reportedly surged on resale sites.

The bag is an extremely exclusive fashion item with a long waitlist. It remains one of the most expensive too, especially if it is crafted in exotic leather or is accented with diamonds.