As 2025 approaches, industry analysts highlight key music figures like Charli XCX and Beyoncé who are expected to significantly influence fashion trends.
Fashion’s connection to the music industry is once again under the spotlight as industry analysts predict who will dominate as the key influencers in style trends for 2025. The rise of pop stars as fashion muses continues to shape consumer choices and marketing strategies, as demonstrated by the impact of previous trendsetters.
Last year, British singer Charli XCX emerged as a significant fashion influence, mainly due to the success of her sixth studio album “Brat.” As a 32-year-old avant-pop and electronic artist, she secured numerous high-profile campaigns with notable brands including H&M, Skims, Acne Studios, Google, and Converse. Each campaign was distinctive, contributing not just to her visibility, but also significantly enhancing brand engagement and revenue. For instance, her role in promoting Converse’s Chuck Taylor sneaker led to a 150 percent increase in U.S. inventory of the product, according to retail analyst Karis Munday of Edited.
Charli’s collaboration with Skims also driven remarkable sales, achieving a 35 percent majority sell-out rate within its first three months, surpassing other recent campaigns, as detailed by the retail intelligence firm. Keith Fraley, an assistant professor of fashion business management at the Fashion Institute of Technology, remarked, “The degree to which Charli XCX was featured in 2024 is remarkable,” noting her influence allowed brands broad and impactful reach.
As 2025 approaches, the focus now shifts to which luminaries will take center stage in the fashion world. Aoife Byrne, a senior fashion and retail analyst at Edited, highlights 35-time Grammy Award winner Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, who is expected to lead trends, particularly with her upcoming “Cowboy Carter & the Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit” tour commencing April 28 in Los Angeles. “Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour this summer will no doubt be one of the most impactful for trends,” Byrne stated, identifying country-inspired fashion elements such as suede jackets, cowboy hats, and boots as likely to gain popularity.
Designers have already begun to draw inspiration from Beyoncé’s anticipated tour, including Brooklyn-based designer Lucas Stowe, who launched a pair of embellished assless chaps priced at $300. They reflect the bold fashion choices associated with Beyoncé’s aesthetic, which continues to evoke consumer enthusiasm. Notably, her partnership with Levi’s has proven fruitful, as illustrated by the reimagining of classic advertisements, including a modern take on an iconic 1985 commercial. The campaign with Beyoncé garnered considerable media exposure, amassing $1.3 million in Media Impact Value shortly after launch.
Other pop stars are also set to influence fashion trends in 2025. Chappell Roan is emerging as a trendsetter through her festival performances, capturing interest in emerging subcultures like Castlecore and the Rococo Renaissance. According to Byrne, searches related to these styles among younger audiences have surged, reflecting their growing appeal.
Billie Eilish’s upcoming “Hit Me Hard and Soft” tour also positions her to affect fashion with her signature oversized clothing style, expected to boost sales in casual apparel categories. Furthermore, Lady Gaga’s recent projects, including her new album “Mayhem” and her collaboration with Bruno Mars, draw on retro fashion elements that signal a shift in consumer tastes toward distinct, statement looks.
In the realm of men’s fashion, Kendrick Lamar is making waves following his Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show performance, where he wore a pair of notable bootcut jeans. His appearance, featuring the often-overlooked silhouette, led to a remarkable spike in searches for flared jeans, showcasing the potential of performance art to shift fashion narratives in real-time.
This year, the integration of Western-inspired aesthetics into high fashion has become particularly prevalent, reinforced by the presentations of brands like AG and Dsquared2 at New York Fashion Week and Milan. As designers continue to explore Western motifs, the votes of trendsetters like Beyoncé and Lamar set the stage for a broader exploration of individuality and classic styles in 2025.
The fashion industry continues to adapt and respond to the movements of pop culture, with the influence of these leading artists poised to shape the market significantly as the year unfolds. The merging of music and fashion remains a dynamic force, one that promises to evolve as new talents rise and established stars maintain their grip on consumer interests.
Source: Noah Wire Services
