Archival fashion is a reflection of past trends, styles, and eras of fashion from well-known (usually designer) brands and collections. They often include pieces that made an impact on the fashion industry as we know it, valuable due to their age, worth, the collection they came from, and their rarity. What makes it so special is how archival clothing helps solidify the careers and designs of so many people, including some of the world's biggest fashion designers, making it so much more than common vintage. These pieces, whether they make a clear statement or not, have affected the bounds of political, social and economic change. The influx of attention toward archival pieces also directly correlates to the influx of attention to luxury design in general. Partly thanks to the internet, designer goods are much more accessible then they were 20 years ago, and archival fashion comes with that, with a new piece of clothing resurfacing or going viral everyday. And although shopping for archival fashion is no easy process, and no doubt an expensive one, the revival of archival fashion does raise new creativity and ideas, not only through designers, but everyday fashion enthusiasts.
Kendall Jenner in Paris wearing fall 1997 John Galliano. Backgrid
Impactful Archival Brands
Some of the most key archival brands include names like Raf Simmons, Coco Chanel, Thiery Muggler and many many more. With celebrities of all kinds tapping into archival fashion, it is becoming more and more mainstream as well as influential. The individualism that comes with a few of these pieces is a status symbol within itself, which in part is what makes these pieces sought after.
Olivia Rodrigo Fall 1994 Chanel, Met Gala after party, Ben Rosser/BFA.com
The Future of Archival Fashion
As the fashion industry begins to change and evolve, archival fashion will most likely become even bigger than it is now. With Gen Z caring more about environmentalism than past generations, in part with a love for fashion, the repurposed and archival clothing industry will absolutely continue to grow. The rise and normalcy or sustainable fashion is upon us, and we are so excited to bring out older pieces and give them a new life, and a new meaning in the fashion world today. They will remain appealing investments as they retain their status and life throughout the years.
Zendaya in Spring 1993 Prada, 2023 NAACP Awards, Getty Images.
As we come up on events like the Met Gala with this year's theme being “Garden of Time”, meant to showcase and support the museum's exhibit “ Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion”, we will see more and more archived pieces. We love to see the media, and even the Met paying tribute to clothing that is too old to ever be worn again, furthermore making us appreciate the clothing we currently possess, reminding us to be mindful of our consumption when it comes to quality, and continuing to appreciate archival fashion.
By Ani Grigsby