In 2024, we saw a lot of fashion, from Zendaya’s vintage Mugler robot suit at the London premier of “Dune: Part 2” to this year’s Met Gala, the annual fundraising/fashion event held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This year of fashion has been one for the history books. Victoria’s Secret has recently returned to the runway in an all-new light. In the past, VS has been known not only for its bombshell bras and sparkling lingerie sets but also for the VS models — its “angels.” These gorgeous women, all tall, slim, and remarkably bubbly and playful on the runway, are the faces of the brand. VS has been well-known for marketing towards the male gaze and has not been inclusive of all body types until recently. It was not until superstar Rihanna launched her brand SavagexFenty in 2018, with its focus on greater inclusivity for a range of shapes and sizes, that VS had a worthy competitor. Rihanna’s brand aims to celebrate all bodies in lingerie and loungewear that is both cute and comfortable. Even the fashion shows create more excitement, through choreography, incredible angles and trending music. SxF gave VS a run for their money, immediately ruling the industry in VS’ hiatus. In 2024, VS gave the world a debatable comeback that was different from previous years by showing more inclusivity as they promised: they brought plus-sized models to the stage along with the original angels. The question is, will the brand make a successful return to their former prime spot in the fashion world?
I took to social media to analyze what other generations think about 2024’s fashion trends. In one TikTok, a millennial woman said, “Gen Z’s fashion is tacky, and it looks like it’s thrown together.” The outfits seen on social media sites like TikTok, Pinterest and Instagram might look tacky to some, but that is due to personal preference. We borrow concepts from older generations and make them our own by customizing and adding our touch. The saying “everything comes back around” refers to the cyclical nature of fashion trends. In the popular trends of today, we see the fashion styles of the ‘90s, ‘00s and 2010s recycled and reinvented. I wonder what will “come back around” in fashion within the next few years. Zoe Amora Iranzo-Laurina from printiful.com remarks that “From vintage and retro styles to oversized clothing and sustainable fabrics, Gen Z fashion trends reflect the generation’s values and beliefs, emphasizing the importance of individuality, sustainability, and self-expression.” While older generations have many thoughts about Gen Z and Gen Alpha, they cannot deny the mere fact that we are the future; we can come together to make change in and outside of the fashion world.
