A Touch of Realism: SS23 Fashion Trends from JW Anderson, Balenciaga, Loewe and more

The only thing that is more exciting than watching SS23 runway shows is getting to look back on the season once the excitement has settled and feel the impact the new fashion trends have left! After a few seasons of intense uncertainty that challenged the creative process and left many feeling stalled SS23 restored a sense of life's pace finally picking up with more excitement in the air.

New York Fashion Week was a celebration of an easygoing energy mixed with relaxed glamour. London runway was consumed by unfortunate passing of Queen Elizabeth II with many designers choosing to pay tribute to the late Queen on the catwalk. Milan was dominated by Y2K denim inspired looks and grey hues emerged to balance modesty and sensuality across a number shows including Prada, Fendi, Raf Simmons. Femme fatale energy dominated Paris SS23 runway mixing bold color combinations, optimistic floral prints, and subversive silhouettes and styling.

One of the fashion trends to emerge was all about an exaggerated reality. JW Anderson, Balenciaga, Loewe and a handful of other brands included themes of realism in their collections by questioning what's real or not and using motifs out of context and distorting surfaces in the age where physical and digital worlds have been increasingly merging in consumers' lifestyles. What may be better known as the surrealism that came to the scene back in the 1930s, present day styles from JW Anderson, Balenciaga, Loewe and others play up the importance of common everyday objects to create visual value and drive novelty and newness both through graphics and constructed props as as means of self expression. These looks are not only eye catching but are ever buzzworthy both in the streets as they are in virtual experiences. Enjoy a selection of curated looks from this latest fashion trend from SS23 runway shows.

JW Anderson

The latest SS23 womenswear collection highlighted the role technology plays in our lives and it's impact on personal self expression and constructed realities.

Images are courtesy of Vogue Runway.

I think for me it's a moment where it's about creativity needing to be more defiant. Especially when a lot of other art forms are in such a chronically bad situation. So I think it's a good moment for fashion to be more reflective if it wants to co-exist in the arts or it could become very easily detached and redundant in a moment like this. I think it's important that we look to the people around us, people who make things, the person who designs bags, the craftsman who's been doing it for 6 generations. If we don't have these people employed than I shouldn't be here. ... I wanted to create a time capsule that is a showcase for people of what this brand can achieve in a moment that is so complicated. - JW Anderson, SS23

Loewe SS23 Trends

Constructed props and exaggerated pixelated graphics create dramatic effects and question one's identity and self expression and what is acceptable or not in real and virtual worlds.

Images are courtesy of Vogue Runway.

Balenciaga SS23 Trends

Balenciaga's use surrealist accessories featuring Lays chips bag imprinted with Balenciaga's name blends consumerism culture and self expression.

Images are courtesy of Tag Walk.

Fashion is a visual art and all we need is for it to be seen and through someone's eyes. - Demna Gvasalia

Vivetta SS23 Trends

Oversized props break up the visual pattern to highlight femininity, novelty and artifice.

Images are courtesy of Vogue Runway.

From the hand-neck blouse onward, I do not tire of playful femininity - Vivetta Ponti

Christopher Kane SS23

Dissected anatomical panels and floral sticker like decals bring multi-layered elements in self expression.

Images are courtesy of Vogue Runway.

Y/Project SS23

Glenn Martens partnership with Jean Paul Gaultier for Y/Project for the SS23 collection features trompe l'oeil body prints imprinted on distorted denim that question freedom of character and self expression in real and virtual domains.

Images are courtesy of Vogue Runway.

Schiaparelli SS23 Trends

Daniel Roseberry's use of surrealist accessories and abstract graphics painted onto garments exaggerate silhouettes and break up a visual pattern to bring artifice, novelty, and decadence to one's wardrobe.

Images are courtesy of Vogue Runway.

Looking for more seasonal trends and inspiration and forces behind emotional and visual landscapes shaping consumer preferences? Check out the trend report section and shop FW'23-24 Fashion Print and Pattern Trend Report that features curated fashion print and pattern trend moodboards and color direction for womenswear for Fall Winter 2023-24 design cycle. Sign up to the newsletter to know when new blog posts and trend reports are released.

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