Fashion from the Realms of Hollywood

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The influence of Hollywood on the fashion industry is undeniable. For decades, celebrities have been setting trends in fashion and inspiring designers to create new collections. With the advancement of technology, Hollywood is now opening new horizons for the fashion industry, creating exciting and innovative collaborations that go beyond imagination. Tomorrow.events (T.e) foresees this relationship to grow even stronger than ever, consequently paving way to creating more futuristic and diverse trends.

Hollywood Fashion on the Red Carpet

One way that Hollywood has impacted the fashion industry is through red carpet events such as the Oscars, Golden Globes, and other award shows. These events have become a platform for designers to showcase their latest collections on the biggest celebrities, as a result creating an enormous amount of exposure for their brands. For example, when Jennifer Lawrence wore a Dior gown to the Oscars, the fashion world took notice, and the dress became an instant sensation.

Jennifer Lopez and Google Image Search Function Creation

Who can forget one of fashion history’s most enduring outfits – Jennifer Lopez’s sheer emerald green and blue palm leaf Versace gown she wore to the Grammys in 2000, that consequently led to the creation of Google’s image search function. 

Hollywood On-Screen Fashion

Another way Hollywood has influenced fashion is through films and television shows. The glamorous stars of the silver screen are fashion icons, and their clothing choices and styles largely influence the general public. Here are some examples of iconic movies and their lasting fashion trends:

Ray-Bans: Rise and Resurgence

The Ray-Ban brand first became famous in the 1950s when they were worn by James Dean in the film “Rebel Without a Cause” in 1955. The sunglasses became a symbol of cool and rebellion and are still popular today. Dean’s iconic red jacket and white T-shirt, portraying his “bad boy” look became an instant fashion trend, with young men everywhere copying the style. Denim was another trend that became more ‘in-style’ after this movie. Audrey Hepburn also wore Ray-Bans in “Breakfast at Tiffanyy’s” in 1961 but over the decades the popularity started simmering down and the sales of the brand dropped. It was in 1983 when Tom Cruise was seen sporting the staple Ray-Ban sunglasses in many scenes in his movie ‘Risky Business’ and the brand soared to popularity again.

The Little Black Dress

The little black dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” in 1961  became an iconic fashion statement. The simple and elegant dress, designed by Givenchy, became a classic and is still popular today.

Hollywood and the Preppy Look

In 1961, ‘West Side Story’ showcased the popular style of the 1960s called the “preppy” look. The characters wore clean-cut outfits with collared shirts, cardigans, and pleated skirts, which consequently became a popular trend among young people.

Disco and Punk-Rock Culture in Hollywood

The movies of the 1970s and 1980s era featured a wide range of styles, from disco-inspired looks to punk rock fashion. In 1977 the movie Saturday Night Fever helped popularize the disco trend, which included platform shoes, bell-bottom pants, and tight-fitting shirts. John Travolta’s character, Tony Manero, wore a white suit with an open chest black shirt. This became an iconic look and as a result completely transformed men’s fashion.

Science Fiction


The costumes in the “Star Wars” saga have inspired a range of fashion trends over the years, particularly in the realm of sci-fi and cosplay. Princess Leia’s iconic hair buns, Han Solo’s vest, and Darth Vader’s helmet have all become cultural touchstones in fashion.

Hollywood and Feminist Fashion

Diane Keaton’s character in Annie Hall (1977) popularized the androgynous look, thereupon introducing feminism in fashion. Owing to her style, oversized blazers, button-up shirts, and wide-leg pants became famous among women. Her signature hat and tie also became popular accessories.As a result women started feeling comfortable wearing men’s wear and that brought about a huge shift in the fashion industry.

Pop Culture

Another iconic movie Flashdance influenced fashion with its off-the-shoulder sweatshirts, leg warmers, acid-washed jeans and oversized and torn t-shirts. The bold, colorful fashion of the film was a reflection of the pop culture of the 1980s.

The Bomber Jacket Trend

Bomber jackets were originally designed for pilots during World War II. However, they became popular in the 1980s due to their use in movies such as Top Gun in 1986. The jackets became a fashion statement and are still popular today. Tom Cruise’s character, Maverick, popularized the Ray-Ban Aviator Classic sunglasses which continue to remain popular till date. The sales of Ray-Ban sunglasses skyrocketed to more than four million pairs by 1989.

During the 1990s, Hollywood’s influence continued on fashion trends. From gothic and preppy to vintage-inspired and grunge, the fashion of this era was characterized by a diverse range of styles.

Black Suits

When the movie Pulp Fiction came out in1994, the iconic black suit worn by Uma Thurman’s character, Mia Wallace, became a popular look in the 1990s. The simple, sleek suit inspired many similar designs, hence making black suits became a staple in many wardrobes.

The Preppy Revival

The movie Clueless had a major influence on fashion in the 1990s. Showcasing preppy, plaid looks and popularizing the “Cher Horowitz” style, perfectly played by Alicia Silverstone. The movie featured mini-skirts, knee-high socks, oversized blazers, and matching sets, which became popular trends.

The Vintage Look

The fashion in Titanic was a reflection of the Edwardian era, with its focus on corsets, high collars, and long dresses. The movie inspired many vintage-inspired designs, and as a result the popularity of the movie revived interest in historical fashion.

Goth Fashion in Hollywood

The Craft (1996) exhibited the gothic trend, with its focus on dark, edgy clothing and accessories. The movie inspired many similar styles, including chokers, combat boots, and black clothing.

Cyber-Punk Fashion

The futuristic, dystopian world of The Matrix inspired a range of edgy, cyberpunk-inspired fashion trends in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The iconic long black coat worn by Keanu Reeves’ character, Neo,  became a popular fashion trend. The sleek, futuristic look inspired many similar styles, and long black coats consequently became a staple in many wardrobes. The Christian Dior 1999 collection featuring trench coats and leather, as reported by Vogue, was “highly influenced” by the film. 

Hollywood Fashion during the Aughts

And then came the 2000s! 

Designer-wear

The Devil Wears Prada showcased a range of high-fashion looks and inspired a renewed interest in designer clothing. It featured iconic fashion moments, including Anne Hathaway’s transformation into a chic fashionista. The film also popularized many trends, such as statement jewelry and oversized sunglasses. Its portrayal of the fashion industry helped to create a new generation of fashion-conscious viewers.

Sex and the City was known for its glamorous fashion, and the show’s characters often wore designer clothing and accessories.  In 2008 the first Sex and the City movie hit the theaters, which was filled with fashion moments, from Carrie Bradshaw’s tutu to Samantha’s bold and daring outfits. The franchise popularized many trends, most prominent ones being the ‘Manolo Blahnik’ shoe obsession and designer handbags. 

’20s Styles in the Tens

Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, The Great Gatsby, was a feast for the eyes, with elaborate costumes and stunning production design. It showcased a range of glamorous 1920s-inspired looks, including beaded dresses and Art Deco-inspired accessories. The film’s fashion influence was felt in both high-end and high-street fashion.

The next decade Hollywood productions did not stay behind from their predecessors. From vintage-inspired to futuristic and cultural influences, the fashion of this era was characterized by a mix of classic and modern elements. 

Mid-century Trends

La La Land brought back classic Hollywood glamor, with its stylish costumes inspired by the golden age of Hollywood musicals. Emma Stone’s character, in particular, inspired a range of vintage-inspired looks, including A-line dresses and bold lipstick shades,and helped bring back interest in mid-century fashion. 

Minimalist Style

The Hunger Game series showcased futuristic fashion, with its focus on sleek, minimalistic designs and avant-garde accessories. The fashion in this movie inspired many designers to incorporate futuristic elements into their designs and helped to push the boundaries of traditional fashion.

Cultural Influences on Hollywood

The Asian Influence

Crazy Rich Asians exhibited modern Asian fashion, with its focus on vibrant colors, intricate embroidery, and luxurious fabrics. T  .Through a range of luxurious, high-end fashion, inspiring a renewed interest in luxury brands and high-fashion looks. The film’s depiction of Asian fashion and culture inspired many designers to incorporate Asian elements into their designs, and helped to bring more diversity to the fashion industry.

The African Influence

The Afrofuturistic costumes in Black Panther became an instant hit, inspiring a range of African-inspired fashion trends. The film’s bold, colorful costumes featured intricate patterns and textures that were unlike anything seen before in Hollywood. Artificial Intelligence and 3D printing played a huge role in achieving the futuristic and unique look of costumes. The fashion in this movie inspired many designers to incorporate African elements into their designs bringing more diversity to the industry. 

Revolution Inspired Fashion

In the 2021 releaesd Judas and the Black Messiah you come across 1960s and 1970s Black Panther-inspired fashion, with its focus on leather jackets, berets, and military-inspired clothing. The fashion in this movie has already inspired many designers to incorporate revolutionary elements into their designs and helped to bring attention to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Latinx Influence

In the Heights featured modern Latinx fashion, with its focus on vibrant colors, bold prints, and traditional Latinx textiles. The fashion in this movie has already inspired many designers to incorporate Latinx elements into their designs and helped to bring more diversity to the fashion industry.

The T.e Verdict

Hollywood and the fashion industry have a long history of influencing each other. Still, there were many trends that had a much shorter lifespan. Tomorrow.events predicts that this relationship will now thrive even more rapidly. With advancement in technology and the increasing use of AI, both Hollywood and the fashion industry will explore newer and more exciting collaborations that will go beyond imagination. T.e envisions that the use of AI will make costume designing more futuristic, diverse and innovative in the movies. Furthermore, by using technologies such as 3D printing, designers will continue to create more Hollywood inspired clothes and revolutionize the way people will dress in the future. 

So, all of you, keep going to the movies, keep munching on the popcorns… you never know which future fashion trend you might witness on the silver screen!

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