When you think of fashion and the role it plays in show business, red carpet dressing often comes to mind.
However, things have changed and the style aspect of the entertainment industry has grown to include much more than the 15 seconds of fame a design gets at awards shows.
In the case of Challengers, Jonathan Anderson was roped in to create the film’s costumes.
Anderson is the creative mastermind behind celebrated labels JW Anderson and Loewe. Aside from being named “International Designer of the Year” at the 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards, he served as honorary chair at this year’s Met Gala.
It says a lot when a film uses a fashion designer to prop up its visual storytelling – or perhaps it is just a matter of the director himself being a fan of fashion.
Luca Guadagnino has worked with Raf Simons (another celebrated designer) for his past film, I Am Love And A Bigger Splash. He also directed short films for luxury brands like Zegna, Dior, Fendi and Jil Sander.
Read more: Designer Diane Von Furstenberg shows how ambition and stilettos can coexist
In last year’s hit, Barbie, Chanel played a big role in bringing the doll to life. The fashion house officially collaborated with the film.
In a statement, Chanel revealed that costume designer Jacqueline Durran was given a selection of outfits from several collections. The outfits were chosen to “highlight the Barbie character as she moves through her journey in the film”.
The Dune 2 film premieres in February were like runway shows. Zendaya (who also starred in Challengers) wore breathtaking archival designs from labels like Thierry Mugler (Autumn/Winter 1995 Couture) and Givenchy (Autumn/Winter 1999).
She also showed off stunning looks from Stephane Rolland, JuunJ, Roksanda, Louis Vuitton, Alaia, Bottega Veneta and Torisheju Dumi.
Zendaya’s co-stars for the film, like Florence Pugh and Timothee Chalamet, were also dressed by big fashion brands, which the film proudly name dropped and shared on Instagram.
Usually, such fashion extravagance on the red carpet is only reserved for major awards shows like the Oscars.
This year also saw a sudden influx of films and shows revolving around notable fashion designers.
First there was the biographical drama television miniseries, Cristobal Balenciaga, released in January. It shines a spotlight on the Guetaria-born designer’s life and legacy.
Then came The New Look in February. This one is a series that follows fashion designers Christian Dior and Coco Chanel through the World War II Nazi occupation of Paris and its aftermath.
The most recent are Becoming Karl Lagerfeld and Diane Von Furstenberg: Woman In Charge. Each one explores the meteoric rise of renowned designers, where they are seen shaping the fashion industry in their own ways.
There is also no forgetting how brands have become the focal points at concerts.
Fashion houses bowed down to Beyonce (aptly named Queen Bey by her fans) last year. The outfits she wore on stage for her Renaissance World Tour were custom made to showcase her unique style.
Read more: Taylor Swift and Beyonce highlight the lucrative link between fashion and music
Taylor Swift also turned to fashion for her Eras Tour. As the concert was conceptualised to showcase her journey according to different albums, she wore bespoke outfits for each segment.
For both Beyonce and Swift, it is not just a matter of them picking outfits from brands – the designers are actually coming up with special designs to fit their needs.
Fashion conglomerate LVMH has even launched an entertainment division. It was announced in February that the aim will be to explore opportunities for brands like Dior, Tiffany & Co and Louis Vuitton.
In an interview with Variety, LVMH CEO Anish Melwani said that 22 Montaigne Entertainment seeks to support LVMH’s houses by helping them identify entertainment projects.
“Culture and entertainment are inextricably linked and LVMH has been building culture for decades,” he added.
It should be noted that singer- songwriter Pharrell Williams is currently the menswear head of Louis Vuitton – which really proves that fashion and showbiz is now strongly linked.