Have you ever watched clips or seen photos of a runway show and wondered where designers find their inspiration? Top fashion houses tend to do a great job of creating full lines that have a consistent thread running through them. This consistency creates a theme, tying the entire line together. It makes it easier for consumers to visualise how the pieces fit together, and how they can work them into their existing wardrobe.
What’s especially interesting is how designers choose a theme to build their line around. Think of it as roleplay, with the designer using identifiable features and touches on every item of clothing.
The Speakeasies of the 1920s Helped Define the Flapper Look
Looking back through American history, a highly iconic fashion era was the 1920s. During the Roaring Twenties, fashion went through a revolution. Suddenly, a woman’s body was being seen and showcased differently. The flapper style was often embodied by women with a tomboyish aesthetic. Hemlines also started to rise, regardless of the skirt or dress style.
This was also a decade that saw the birth of menswear-inspired clothing for women. That’s not to say it was embraced fully, but designers started to dabble in the theme.
Another huge trend in this era was speakeasy bars. Prohibition was in full effect, creating secret speakeasies throughout the big cities. If you wanted to go out to one, you’d need to be dressed appropriately, of course. Designers realised that the typical evening wear wouldn’t work in a speakeasy environment, so instead they started to blend fabrics and accessories. It was still glitzy and glamorous, but in a more understated way.
Love Glitter, Sequins and Glamour? You’ve Got Las Vegas to Thank
If you’re the type who seems naturally drawn to glitter, sequins, gems and beads, you may have Las Vegas to thank. No matter the decade or season, glitter and sparkle inevitably make an appearance. Whether the sparkle is only evident in a few key pieces or the designer’s entire line, it’s clearly a favourite feature of many design houses. Fashion houses such as Maison Margiela, Dior, Gucci, Céline, Tom Ford and Stella McCartney are known for showcasing glittering pieces.
The use of sequins dates back to 2,500 BC, so it’s not as though today’s designers are to thank for inventing it. However, it’s about making these sparkling features commonplace—and for that, you can thank Las Vegas.
Close your eyes and picture the quintessential Las Vegas showgirl—known for elaborate costumes that ooze sparkle and glitz. While you’re certainly not going to purchase a showgirl costume to wear in everyday life, that theme can be carried into your wardrobe through the use of sequins. It’s all about confidence, standing out and revelling in the beauty that is fashion design.
It’s more than just the showgirl look, though; the casino world has a sense of glamour, luxury and excess about it that is a large part of its allure. Of course, people nowadays can just play live dealer casino games at home in their PJs, but where’s the fun and glamour in that?
How 2000s Tech Trends Sparked a Futuristic Fashion Vibe
Not every theme is considered traditionally pretty or delicate. Because designers take inspiration from the world around them, it makes sense that the 2000s have taken a very unique turn. The 2000s have been dominated by advancements in technology. It’s this very concept that has fed into the prevalence of metallic fabrics and colours on the runway. Shiny, metallic fabrics have become the norm. Even the colours used, such as grey, silver, gold and black, get their inspiration from the tech industry.
Accessories have also embraced the tech theme with chunky metal belts, heavy statement necklaces, metal chains on purses and bags and more. It all screams futuristic. Designers seem to have had a lot of fun with this particular trend.
The Annual Met Gala: A Soft Launchpad for Designer Themes
Each year, the Met Gala chooses a clothing theme for attendees to follow. Designers work for months creating the perfect look to showcase on the red carpet. The event is steeped in haute couture, making it less accessible to the average consumer. However, individual pieces, the concept and the theme are things that the general public may end up embracing. In that sense, it acts as a soft launch for the year’s upcoming fashion trends.
Some of the notable themes over the years include The World of Balenciaga (1973), American Women of Style (1975), The Eighteenth Century Woman (1981), Christian Dior (1996), Gianni Versace (1997), The House of Chanel (2005), Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy (2008), Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty (2011) and Superfine: Tailoring Black Style (2025).
Designers Are Constantly on the Hunt for the Next Big Theme
Leading fashion designers always have their eyes open to the world around them. They are constantly looking for new ideas, concepts and inspiration. All of this stems from their desire to spark the next big fashion trend. As you watch the runway shows each season and flip through fashion magazines, there’s no denying that fashion loves a theme.
