Blast From The Past: How To Dress Like A ‘90s Supermodel
Dress sustainably and fashionably all at the same time!
Fashion from the ‘90s is in a league of its own. From contemporary and avant-garde couture to timeless ready-to-wear pieces, many treasures from this time continue to be loved by their owners even though the pieces might already be turning thirty years old this year.
While many of us would love to get our hands on the most sought-after runway looks from the likes of Gianni Versace, Yves Saint Laurent and John Galliano, it would be impossible to find the real deal – most of the collections have already been archived by museums and the fashion houses themselves.
Instead, with the help of Vestiaire Collective, we can shop for similar vintage pieces to emulate these stunning looks of the past worn by the OG supermodels like Naomi Campbell, Carla Bruni and more. Check ‘em all out below.
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The late, great Karl Lagerfeld loved pushing the boundaries of what this luxury French house was known for. Cropped tops and jackets weren’t surprising at the time but miniskirts with slits right down the middle, exposing the undergarments, definitely gave critics quite the shock as models such as Naomi Campbell sashayed down the runway this season with playful elegance.
Top, $8,987.52, Chanel at Vestiaire Collective
Skirt Suit, $175.95, Prada at Vestiaire Collective
Belt, $8,561.04, Chanel at Vestiaire Collective
Leather Mini Bag, $5,900, Chanel at Vestiaire Collective
Helmed by Gianfranco Ferre at the time, the house served clean silhouettes with distinctive structural designs which were never cumbersome. Ferre was known to experiment with different fabrics for each collection and the Spring 1996 lineup saw an incredible display of black and white ensembles which merged work attire with couture sensibilities using materials like silk, lace and organza.
Shirt, $128.39, Acne Studios at Vestiaire Collective
Wool Large Pants, $153.75, Dior at Vestiaire Collective
Silk Tie, $68.16, Versace at Vestiaire Collective
Leather Gloves, $142.66, Max Mara at Vestiaire Collective
No one does couture like Mugler. As a fashion visionary, he was never afraid of using real-life influences in his designs even if they were typically considered unglamorous, be it armoured vehicles or creepy crawlies. Mugler leaned into metamorphosis for the collection of ‘97 with carapace-esque construction across the gowns and his signature body-hugging suit.
Velvet Suit Jacket, $1,252.23, Thierry Mugler at Vestiaire Collective
Long gloves, $711.71, Gucci at Vestiaire Collective
Sunglasses, $850, Balenciaga at Vestiaire Collective
Patent Leather Heels, $460.85, Saint Laurent at Vestiaire Collective
Gianni Versace was an icon for his interpretation of empowering womenswear and this couture collection took the “good girls gone bad” image up a notch by working in various animal prints, sequins, velvet, lace, and silk.
Maxi Dress, $1,247.53, Jacquemus at Vestiaire Collective
Medusa Hair Accessory, $228.25, Versace at Vestiaire Collective
Patent Leather Boots, $1,280.76, Valentino Garavani at Vestiaire Collective
Broad and padded suit jackets were a staple for the fashion house, and this collection delivered just that - and more. The offerings were simple yet effortlessly chic, designs which could be worn all spring and summer long. The safari theme definitely stood out through impeccably tailored linen suits with a pop of colour and an exaggerated straw hat.
Linen blazer, $952.65, MSGM at Vestiaire Collective
L’ Anné 97 Linen Trousers, $403.61, Jacquemus at Vestiaire Collective
Top, $204.01, Missoni at Vestiaire Collective
Arty Earrings, $1,377.72, Yves Saint Laurent at Vestiaire Collective
Hat, $381.13, Maison Michel at Vestiaire Collective
This prolific designer was a pioneer of the space age fashion movement and his chainmail couture will live on as a significant part of fashion history. His use of unconventional materials truly transcended his time, and the press absolutely adored it. Fans also took to the eccentric looks and craved the metallic looks, especially the slip dresses with hundreds of interconnected discs.
Mid-length Dress, $1,569.25, Paco Rabanne at Vestiaire Collective
Leather Dress, $2,517.08, Dolce & Gabbana at Vestiaire Collective
Leather Heels, $350, Christian Louboutin at Vestiaire Collective