This summer the universe of mermaids rises from the depths of the sea to appropriate one of the most daring fashion trends of the year. Mythological beings that leave the big screen to dive into fashion weeks and even Zara stores. In social networks it already has its own style: Mermaidcore.
The mermaid aesthetic has become very fashionable not only because of the expected release of Disney’s The Little Mermaid – although this has inevitably influenced it a lot – but because elements have been seen on some of the main catwalks which are closely related to style. It is not just about mentioning the most obvious, such as shells, pearls or starfish, but the prominence of satin fabrics or turquoise or sky blue colors. Firms such as Blumarine or David Koma took the sea creature, half woman half fish tail, as inspiration to present some of the pieces of the spring-summer 2023 collection. The first dressed one of the models in a total look denim in the shape of a mermaid tail, from which a shell top protruded, and the second matched the choice of appliqués to adorn the woman’s torso and finished it off with a belt crowned by a large starfish.
Tom Ford was another designer who embraced the trend with a tight collection of sequins and the colors of the sea. An aesthetic that did not take long to reach the fast fashion industry, always alert on the big catwalks, with mermaid dresses to shine all night. Wavy hairstyles with a subtle wet effect, as well as blackened eye make-up, is also another of the recurring winks that have been seen on the catwalk.
Finally, the arrival of the Resort collections also confirmed the trend. Nicolas Guesquière introduced Louis Vuitton’s mythological sea creatures and covered them in patterned rhinestones that looked like they came straight from the depths of the sea.
It is curious that this is a maximalist and opulent trend that coexists with the minimalism of the nineties. A “rebound effect” that takes place after a reign of silent luxury – style that runs away from logos and display and focuses on basic pieces of high quality – to try to give a little joy to the wardrobe The micro-trend also has to do with escapism, a phenomenon that happens on a global and cultural scale every time a slightly turbulent era or uncertain times comes. A component very related to nostalgia, since, in this case, the mythological figure of the mermaid is not used, but a more modern and stylized version that connects with the childhood of a millennial generation that is the one that has purchasing power.
And in the face of an upcoming autumn winter which, from what has been seen on the catwalk, is expected to be quite minimalist, now all that remains is to enjoy the color and the obvious shine of the mermaid.
