Recre-fashion
TREND
- 07/28/2023 -
Studio Ghibli characters at Loewe, The Simpsons at Balenciaga or Eatspak, Bob Sponge at GCDS, Disney at Givenchy and Karl Lagerfeld, Hello Kitty at Blumarine... Cartoon characters seem to be more and more leaving the small screens to infiltrate the front row of Fashion Weeks. Along with them, pixel prints, garments inflated like balloons, and XXL boots are making their way into the Fashion Sphere and invade both catwalks and social media.
At LAPS, we love to play with fashion, which is why we decided to write about this phenomenon that makes us want to be 10 years old again. While Barbie shines on the big screen and the doll with pink outfits becomes the hippest person of the moment, let's take a look back at the other cartoonish figures shaping trends.
Cartoon-core or Cartoonification of Fashion
Cartoon-core or Cartoonification of Fashion: names as whimsical as the trend they designate, which shows no signs of stopping. You couldn't have missed the "Big Red Boots" by MSCHF, those XXL red boots borrowed straight from the (rather sparse) wardrobe of Astroboy, the star of the manga series. These shoes from another galaxy -at the boundary between the Metaverse and real life- flooded Instagram and Tik Tok, selling out within a few days. An example that perfectly illustrates the rising popularity of cartoon culture in the fashion world, but the phenomenon is not new.
History of the Trend
By 2021, a trend of reimagining the iconic looks of our favorite cartoon characters had already emerged under the hashtag #cartoonoutfits. In response, brands developed collections directly inspired by our beloved animated characters, bringing back the gently regressive phenomenon of cartoon-core to the forefront of the catwalks. Visionary Jean-Charles de Castelbajac had already introduced Mickey, Minnie, Donald Duck, and even Kermit the Frog into his pieces in the early 2000s. In the same vein, we've seen Snoopy appearing at Uniqlo, Sailor Moon at Jimmy Choo or Maje, and Givenchy x Disney crossovers for several years now.
Jeremy Scott: King of Cartoon-core
The undisputed master in this field? Jeremy Scott. During his 10 years at the helm of Moschino, turned the brand into an embodiment of playful fashion. After showcasing a Barbie 3.0, dressing models in plush toys and other dreamy characters, he expressed his creativity for the Spring-Summer 2023 collection with buoy and inflatable accessories, stating, "You have to make room for joy."
Cartoonization of Fashion in the Age of Tech Innovations
But the cartoonization of fashion seems to take on a whole new dimension as AI, NFT, and other tech innovations in a few letters are pushing fashion to flirt even more with the boundaries of exaggeration. Forget about prints, heat-transfer characters, or embroidered cartoon references! Become your own animated avatar with this new kind of clothing that pops up everywhere! Hyper-reality is in vogue, and nobody is afraid to wear Minnie's oversized shoes by Loewe or clothes stolen from a Minecraft character.
Catwalk or Giant Playground?
And the return to the age of innocence doesn't stop with the clothes themselves; designers create their own playgrounds on the catwalks. Thousands of confetti at Loewe, flying in rhythm with the models' steps, or the giant circuit set up in the Cour Carrée du Louvre by Louis Vuitton— the latest shows' settings compete with creativity to bring us back to the wonderful world of childhood.
At LAPS, we have already succumbed to this trend several times. As pioneers, we offered "100% Cartoon-Core" watches a few years ago in collaboration with NAMCO. Inspired by the colorful universe of this legendary master of video games and his cult characters like Pac-Man or Mappy, the models created for this occasion have become true geek gems to show off in style.
To adopt the trend this season, opt for the perfect Froggy for those nostalgic about childhood or the Adults Only, a pop model for those who want to take the trend in a different direction. Two "fun-fully" colored editions that are sure to make you the stars of the Recre-fashion.
Prima. Froggy
Leather Croco Green Strap
145 €
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Prima. Adults Only
Perlon Gold Strap
130 €