Cottweiler SS16 collection
Fashion’s fixation on the past is nothing new, with designers regularly romanticising long forgotten styles and transforming them into fresh ideas. Timing is of the essence, and fashion houses must be careful not to rehash a certain trend too soon. While some argue this behaviour leads to stale concepts, it can also bring life to subculture styles that never went mainstream the first time around. Further, it allows this generation of creatives the chance to live out periods in pop culture they were too young to really experience.
Recently, young fashion designers are reimagining trends from 90s rave culture, transforming the decade’s club wear into this year’s high fashion must-haves. But instead of overly-baggy Jncos and sticky candy necklaces, they’re adopting utilitarian cuts and monochromatic colour palettes.
Here are our favourite designers reinterpreting rave wear into high fashion style.
Prada SS17 at Milan Fashion Week, via @prada on Instagram
Prada
Milan Fashion Week kicked off this week, and with it came Prada’s luxurious take on club-ready gear. Models stomped the industrial iron-grid runway dressed in technical nylon paired with silk taffeta.
Alexander Wang Fall 2016 RTW, via @alexanderwangny on Instagram
Alexander Wang
Implementing a healthy dose of sultry edge, Alexander Wang’s fall collection features the tough leather chokers and sturdy combat boots sported by every raver girl in the 90s.
LOVERBOY by Charles Jeffrey SS17 at London Fashion Week, via @_charlesjeffrey on Instagram
LOVERBOY by Charles Jeffrey
Charles Jeffrey became synonymous with London’s club scene during his days at CSM, and the designer just keeps on going. This year’s showcase at London Collections: Men was a continuation of his party boy persona, with the designer presenting at MAN alongside LVMH winner Grace Wales Bonner.
Cottweiler SS16
Cottweiler
Going against the typical all-black colour scheme of traditional night wear, Cottweiler’s design-duo Matt Dainty and Ben Cottrell dream up ensembles in crisp white. The collection of bright looks ensure all eyes will be on you next time you hit the dance floor.
Caitlin Price AW16 at London Fashion Week
Caitlin Price
When Caitlin Price first sent models down the runway earlier this year in a series of ensembles celebrating nightlife, we couldn’t get enough. If Sporty Spice went to a Prodigy gig, we’re pretty sure this is what she would wear.