By Fiona Ward
Metallics are one of those classics that never really goes away in the fashion world – but for 2023, mirror-like finishes are seriously having a moment. From distressed silvers to high-shine gold and even bold colours, these burnished leathers manage to simultaneously look fun and flippant whilst also maintaining an element of coolness. Plus, it’s a much more low-key way to enjoy the glitzy sequin trend we saw lots of in 2022.
Here, we round up the key leather pieces we’ll see everywhere this year…
The metallic leather trousers
One of the ‘it’ pieces of 2023 is undoubtedly the metallic trouser. Trending particularly on social media are silver straight-leg numbers, which can be dressed up or down with a slouchy shirt or a sharp blazer. Key pieces on the catwalks include Isabel Marant’s low-slung pewter trousers at its Spring/Summer ‘23 show – while that’s quickly selling out. Denim brand Frame has also launched . Over on the high street, it’s the likes of Arket and Maje that were ahead of the curve with their own metallic leather designs, priced in the hundreds rather than the thousands.
The silver loafers
Another brand that has embraced all things silver is Prada, in bringing out a number of its key accessories with a mirror-like finish.
Having seen great success with its rhinestone-encrusted loafers, bucket hats and bags, these high-shine silver iterations are expected to be the next must-haves – and if the patent black Prada loafers were popular in 2022, then you can bet their foiled siblings are up next. Celine has also introduced its equally-cult ‘Margaret’ loafers in laminated silver lambskin. As ever, more affordable retailers have capitalised on the trend – AllSaints and Kurt Geiger offer their own fully-leather versions.
The leather dress
Leather dresses were a trend of their own on the AW23 runways, from gowns at Givenchy to minis at Loewe – but metallics had t
heir moment here, too. At her AW23 show, Gabriela Hearst launched a gold leather slip dress with frayed edging – dressed down with chunky flatform sandals – while luxury leather brand SPRWMN’s signature tube dress
Over in ready-to-wear, the metallic skirt is a more wearable take on the trend. Acne is offering a silver leather maxi, while Balenciaga’s is a tulip-shaped midi – and Saint Laurent is continuing the micro skirt trend with this rose gold option.
The metallic boot
Those that want to only dip a toe in the metallic trend may (literally) prefer to opt for a pair of boots in gold or silver – they go with everything, and can add an extra something to a pair of jeans or a classic black outfit. Alexandre Vauthier is the king of high-shine metallics with his ‘Alex’ knee-high boots, but considerably comfier cowboy boots are also having a moment – Jeffrey Campbell offers a range of tones, from the more classic golds to bold greens and pinks. Elsewhere, Bottega Veneta’s Canalazzo boot is now available in mirror silver, as are Tory Burch’s Western-inspired ankle boots.
Josslyn Shi from California College of Art has been crowned Overall Winner of the Real Leather. Stay Different. International Student Design Competition at a glittering final event held at the U.S. Embassy in London.
Meet the Accessories Category Winner for the inaugural Real Leather. Stay Different. Nordic Region Student Design Competition, Riikka Peltola – with her beautiful Leather Blossom design.
Milan is the Art Director at international fashion magazine Rollacoaster, designer for Wonderland and judge for the 2021 International Student Design competition.
Meet Yanran from Beijing, we love her effortless style.
Through the Lens’, is a collection inspired by the often discarded photonegative and the private, intimate memories that they contain.
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