My favorite fashion moments of 2025
Teyana Taylor Met Gala look
I freaking loved that look, and honestly, it was my favorite one from this Met. It was a custom look by Marc Jacobs, imagined by the one and only costume designer: Ruth E. Carter. If you want a deep dive into the Met Gala 2025 theme, go check out my article about it. Let’s take a look at this masterpiece. What I like about this look is how extravagant it is: the bold dark red, the cane, the feathers, the crystals, the lace, and the long cape with the inscription "Harlem Rose," which is a reference to Teyana Taylor’s song "Rose in Harlem," but also to the Zoot suit, which was born essentially in Harlem in the 1930s.
A Zoot suit is an oversized, colorful suit, a way to show pride and your identity. It was a cultural expression but also a symbol of the fight against racial violence. The Zoot suit was not used only by the African American community but also by the Mexican American community. The 1943 Zoot Suit Riots in Los Angeles occurred when U.S. servicemen and white civilians targeted young Mexican American men, many of whom wore distinctive "zoot suits." These violent clashes were more than just street fights; they were fueled by deep-seated racism, economic instability, and the heightened xenophobia of the World War 2 era.
Ruth E. Carter said in an interview: "Black dandyism has always been a part of our culture. We do it in a way nobody else has done it. Because we were disenfranchised, the only way we could really show our joy and our self-esteem was to adorn ourselves." This look reclaims the joy that was once met with fear. Carter celebrates a Black Dandyism that survived the 1943 riots and more, proving that even when fashion is met with violence and deep-seated prejudice, the spirit of self-expression cannot be suppressed.
Goodbye, Clean Girl Aesthetic; hello, Cunti Cunta ! Invented by the content creator Loeva Soltani, being Cunti Cunta means being free, unapologetic, being who you are, and wearing whatever the fuck you want regardless of trends or what people might say about you. There are no rules here, in opposition to the Clean Girl Aesthetic where your personality is not translated through your outfits; it is, in fact, erased.
What I love about this Cunti Cunta mindset is that it encourages authenticity and everyone can do it. This is not a particular style, you don’t need to own certain types of garments; you just have to be yourself. It is also a "movement" that favors secondhand, like using Vinted, which helps you find unique pieces but also does good for the environment. It feels great to see social media content creators like Loeva but also Penelope Medioum put forward how important self-acceptance is.
Finally, the moment has arrived ! After years of watching her runways, Anok Yai is officially the 2025 Model of the Year. It feels like a victory not just for her but for everyone who has followed her journey.
Her acceptance speech wasn’t just a standard thank-you, it was a raw, deeply personal letter to the girls who see themselves in her. When she looked into the crowd and said: "your colour is not a curse", the words carried an incredible amount of weight. You could feel the history behind that sentence, a nod to her younger self growing up dark-skinned in New Hampshire, where she often felt like an outsider.
I was so moved to see her win because this isn't just a temporary highlight. It has created a permanent reference point in fashion history. It’s a powerful reminder for every Black and Brown girl that they are not a passing aesthetic. They are the foundation, they are the blueprint. Anok has proven that your story and your identity are your greatest strengths, not something to be hidden.
Watch Parties … what a brilliant idea.
La Watch Party, created by Lyas, was an event during the Paris Fashion Week at La Caserne to watch the different runways on a XXL laptop. I loved how it made fashion more accessible, it was the place to meet other fashion lovers, create friendships, … I saw La Watch Party like a way to democratize fashion shows because it is not fair that only privileged people can appreciate runways.
For my personal experience, I remember being there super early (like 2 hours early) in the morning to be able to seat on the coach. I was tired, hungry, but I was so excited to be part of the Watch Party. That day was the Loewe Runway and I absofuckinglutely loved the experience. I sat next to an Australian couple who got engaged, they are super sweet and we talked about our lives, Paris, fashion, I had a great time with them. Being surrounded by people who love fashion just as much as me, talking with them, having their reactions during the runway, it felt being in a family reunion watching a football game. I was just disappointed because I couldn’t get the Loewe present and they went out of the merch … but otherwise, it was amazing and I can’t wait to go the other Watch Parties for the other Fashion Weeks. Btw I got my picture with Lyas !!!
Ms. Rachel’s Dress at the Glamour Women of the Year 2025 Awards
At the Glamour’s Women of the Year, Ms. Rachel wore a custom gown made by Risa Kostis with a cape and train embroidered with artwork created by children in Gaza. Ms. Rachel, one of the loudest voices for the Children in Gaza asked the kids, Anne, Ahmed, Rama, Luna, Rana, Mohammad, Shaded, Sarah and Rahaf, to draw something that told their stories. They drew doves, watermelon that represents Palestine, landscapes, a boat, a girl walking to school, … Ms Rachel said "Tonight, I am wearing this beautiful dress that has art from kids in Gaza. These kids are just amazing; they’re so thoughtful and so brilliant. I know all their names and stories. I’m so proud of you. I’m so proud to wear your artwork".
Ms Rachel’s work to spread awareness regarding what is happening in Gaza, in Palestine is remarkable and moving. I loved that the children in Gaza are represented, they were able to tell their stories thanks to Ms Rachel, stories that were for so long not heard. I would like to share something that Ms. Rachel said: "I don’t think that our love should end at religion or skin color or where people are born. I think that that’s not what’s right, in my soul … Children should have human rights, and children do have human rights. To me, that grown-ups are failing children and not following those guidelines, it’s so upsetting".
Theodora
I honestly feel like Theodora just gets it. She brought a real breath of fresh air to the French music industry, at a time when everything can feel a bit too polished or predictable. Her visuals, her clips, her looks, everything feels like a fever dream, somewhere between fantasy and chaos, and that’s exactly what makes it feel like real art. I love how unapologetically she leans into surrealism, without trying to make it more "safe".
Theodora is a reminder that fashion isn’t meant to be serious or perfect all the time. It’s supposed to be fun, expressive, and even a little confusing. She’s one of those rare artists who genuinely makes you want to open your closet and dress a bit stranger, a bit bolder in the best way possible.
What really made me love her this year isn’t just the fact that she wears cool, unexpected pieces. It’s the intention behind it. She’s vocal about doing it for "the weird girls", for those who never quite fit into the usual boxes. You can tell she’s not trying to please a stylist, follow trends, or conform to a specific image. She’s doing it on her own terms.
In a way, she made 2025 feel a lot less boring. She reminded us that you don’t have to be "pretty" in the traditional sense to be captivating, powerful, and absolutely magnetic.
Conclusion
I am so grateful for this year, I learned so much and my passion for fashion became stronger. This article could have been longer, I could have talk about Zara Larson's rebranding, the Marty Supreme marketing or the Debuts of Louise Trotter at Bottega Veneta, Jonathan Anderson at Dior or Matthieu Blazy at Chanel but I don't want this article to be a never ending story.
And just like that … fashion gave us life in 2025.
Thanks for reading my article <3
By Aya L.
absolutely looooove your take in fashion ! I didn't know about most of these looks loll 😭😭 Looking forward to your next post xx
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