The latest fashion season has seen a rise in nostalgia, with vintage items gaining popularity and search interest soaring among consumers.
The recent fashion runway season has stirred a wave of nostalgia, with several collections echoing styles from previous decades, notably the early 2000s. The resurgence of iconic fashion items like Chloé’s Paddington bag, originally designed by Phoebe Philo and launched in 2005, was prominently featured on the runway. Models showcased the bag, alongside other celebrated pieces such as John Galliano’s classic ‘J’adore Dior’ T-shirt from 2000, and the revival of the bullet bra, a product that gained fame in the 1940s and 50s, and was reintroduced to popular culture by designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier in the 1990s.
As reported in Harper’s Bazaar Australia, the revival of these fashion staples has ignited a significant increase in search interest among consumers. According to eBay’s pre-loved style director Amy Bannerman, since the February shows, searches for the ‘Chloe Paddington’ have surged by 63%, while searches for the ‘Dior T-shirt’ and ‘bullet bras’ have risen by 60% and 57% respectively. This heightened interest underscores a growing trend toward vintage fashion, as collectors and consumers alike seek authentic pieces.
However, acquiring these vintage items may have become increasingly challenging. Gabriel Held, a stylist and vintage curator who has worked with celebrities like Bella Hadid and Keke Palmer, highlighted the increased competition in the vintage market. “There’s just a lot more competition now than there used to be,” he stated. This renewed enthusiasm for vintage styles is expected to amplify demand further, creating a bustling marketplace for pre-loved fashion.
Experts in the fashion resale industry have offered insights into which vintage pieces could be wise investments for style-savvy shoppers. Hanushka Toni, the founder of Sellier, advised that it is crucial to identify trends early. For instance, she noted that while the resale value of the Chloé Paddington bag is currently modest, it is trending upward and anticipated to rise dramatically following its runway re-appearance.
Bannerman suggested that classic Saint Laurent suits and vintage leather jackets from the 1980s are likely to gain popularity as new prices rise, making pre-loved versions far more appealing. Held emphasized the importance of iconic pieces, pointing out that items featuring the Dior Trotter monogram logo remain among the most sought after. He also recommended investing in collections from recently departed creative directors such as Johnathon Anderson of Loewe and Donatella Versace, given the current fashion landscape.
Furthermore, Held underlined that Phoebe Philo’s broader collections from Chloé are worth considering as the boho aesthetic gains traction in contemporary fashion. Other notable suggestions include 80s and 90s Giorgio Armani pieces amidst a resurgence in power suits, alongside items reminiscent of stylists’ Rachel Zoe’s clients from the mid-2000s, including Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan, reflecting the return of the Indie Sleaze style.
While the demand for vintage fashion continues to escalate, the availability of genuine pre-loved pieces remains limited, thus intensifying the hunt for these distinguishing items. The rising popularity of re-editions provides an alternative for those not focused on original investments, as they offer broader accessibility to beloved styles.
Source: Noah Wire Services
