FASHION REWIND

Let's CELEBRATE some of the biggest MILESTONES, both local and GLOBAL, of 2023.

- BARRY RODGERS

THE BARBIECORE CR AZE

If anything, 2023 will go down as the year of pink. Think shades of watermelon, bubblegum, and kitschy fuchsia. Then the details: pink bows, rippling frills, heaps of tulle, flashing sequins, neon tights, and ostentatious pumps. The catalyst for this craze in 2023? Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, one of the highest-grossing films of the year. Also, a big shoutout to Valentino’s creative director, Pier Paolo Piccioli, for setting Barbiecore in motion the year prior.

SABYA GOES BIG!

When it comes to a Sabyasachi launch, opulence is a given. The first half of the year witnessed the inauguration of Sabyasachi’s most expansive flagship store to date, located in Mumbai. This 25,000-square-foot retail space resembles a lavish trove of wonders, housing an array of curiosities, trinkets, and couture.

Picture three floors adorned with 100 chandeliers, 275 carpets, 3,000 books, and 150 pieces of art. The flagship store serves as a hub for couture enthusiasts.

GUCCI REBORN

In January, the House of Gucci welcomed a new creative director, Sabato De Sarno, a seasoned professional with 14 years of experience at Valentino. As anticipation built, the September preview of the collection sparked numerous inquiries: would it mark the return of the Gucci aesthetic from the ’90s? Were logo thongs making a comeback?

With ‘Ancora,’ Sarno forged a path that connected various incarnations of Gucci, spanning from its illustrious past to its dynamic present. The other big news from Gucci this year was the appointment of Alia Bhatt as the global brand ambassador for the maison.