Denim Takeover

Denim. We all know her. We all love her. So why is denim up first on the Spring 2023 fashion forecast? Because this fabric is going to be popping up everywhere. Of course, we have our classic jeans, denim jackets, and even denim button ups, but why restrict such a popular fabric to just the basics? Katz describes the upcoming trend, “Think denim boots, denim dresses, denim hats, denim trench coats. Think of a piece of clothing that you own that is NOT denim. Ok now think about that item being made of denim. There ya go.”

Xantha Ward, a Columbus based designer, got her start by upcycling denim. Ward was ahead of the sustainability movement! She creates denim garments similar to what Katz predicted would be on trend in the Spring 2023 season. Denim trenches, denim boots, denim corsets… the list goes on.

High-Low

Hailey Bieber is going to be happy to hear about this trend! Katz explains this trend as building an outfit through intentionally mixing pieces that don’t traditionally go together. This could be mixing masculine and feminine pieces, modern items and traditional items, or casual items with elevated items. Bieber’s oversized tracksuit and blazer combo is pinned on every twenty-somethings Pinterest board and has become a huge craze over the past year. Other examples of high-low fashion include pairing denim with heels or full suits with sneakers, says Katz.

Intentional Imperfections

With the whole world still working majority from home, who wants to part with their sweatpants and hoodies? Well, for the times that you want to feel an elevated kind of comfort, intentional imperfections have your back. Expect to see these intentional imperfections in the form of subtle raw hems and lived in pieces. This is focusing on a more comfy fit of clothes and it is also changing large brands marketing strategies. “Not only are we going to see a shift in the items themselves, but we are also going to start seeing a shift in how these items are marketed towards us,” says Katz, “New ad campaigns are going to start focusing more on the people wearing the clothes and not the clothes themselves.”

Tight, crisp, and uncomfortable clothing is simply not the vibe for spring 2023. But a pulled together messy chic look is a great way to look on trend and still comfy this spring. Brands such as Zara, Abercrombie, and GAP are already releasing pieces that follow this trend.

Intentional Imperfections

With the whole world still working majority from home, who wants to part with their sweatpants and hoodies? Well, for the times that you want to feel an elevated kind of comfort, intentional imperfections have your back. Expect to see these intentional imperfections in the form of subtle raw hems and lived in pieces. This is focusing on a more comfy fit of clothes and it is also changing large brands marketing strategies. “Not only are we going to see a shift in the items themselves, but we are also going to start seeing a shift in how these items are marketed towards us,” says Katz, “New ad campaigns are going to start focusing more on the people wearing the clothes and not the clothes themselves.”

Tight, crisp, and uncomfortable clothing is simply not the vibe for spring 2023. But a pulled together messy chic look is a great way to look on trend and still comfy this spring. Brands such as Zara, Abercrombie, and GAP are already releasing pieces that follow this trend.

High-Low

Hailey Bieber is going to be happy to hear about this trend! Katz explains this trend as building an outfit through intentionally mixing pieces that don’t traditionally go together. This could be mixing masculine and feminine pieces, modern items and traditional items, or casual items with elevated items. Bieber’s oversized tracksuit and blazer combo is pinned on every twenty-somethings Pinterest board and has become a huge craze over the past year. Other examples of high-low fashion include pairing denim with heels or full suits with sneakers, says Katz.

In its fourth year in the Fashion Week Columbus lineup, Passport 2 Fashion took attendees on a colorful and innovative exploration of diversity and inclusion through fashion. 

Founder Aditi Bhatiya, Marketing Director of Fashion Week Columbus and owner of the Spice Age has led the  charge to spotlight designers and models of all ages, sizes, identities, and ethnicities. The mission of Passport 2 Fashion states, “It’s a celebration of all walks of life, an expression of love for culture, togetherness, and the self, in every form it takes.” As an immigrant of South Asia, Bhatiya recognizes there is a lot to celebrate about her heritage, she also recognizes that issues such as colorism and negative body image are prominent in today’s beauty standards and hopes to put an end to these harmful images of the current reputation of the fashion industry. 

The show challenges the beliefs of those who think they cannot be “fashion forward”. Bhatiya states, “I’ve seen reactions like ‘I am not into fashion’ or ‘I don’t think I am fashionable enough to attend a fashion show or go to a fancy restaurant/event’ but that is exactly the notion that I’m trying to break with this platform. Fashion is for everyone – regardless of their color, shape, size, ethnicity, gender orientation, or lifestyle and that is what our platform is all about.”

With this challenge in mind, the Passport 2 Fashion 2021 designers took to the runway.

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After, came Lex Neuenschwander. Neuenschwander’s gender nonconforming designs included funky patterns and parings to mirror the designer’s personal edgy persona.

Next, Karen Poirier showcased her ready to wear braless garments. Models wore supportive and sexy black dresses and shirts down the runway. 

Xantha Ward’s line consisted of upcycled jackets, pants, shirts, necklaces, and gowns all made from raw edge cut denim.