What does dressing for doomsday look like? It’s a question more than a few have pondered over the last few years, and one which has been brought to the fore in new apocalyptic film releases, Don’t Look Up and The Matrix Resurrections.
Read more: The 10 Key Spring/Summer 2022 Trends To Know Now
The answer, according to the recent runways, is the survivalist trend. Balenciaga’s normcore-meets-hardcore approach has been particularly popular. Confused? Demna’s spring/summer 2022 showcase saw models – the majority of which were dressed in all black – storm the red-carpet catwalk in wraparound sunglasses and leather. The penultimate look – a stretchy catsuit featuring his signature built-in boots and gloves, paired with bug-eye sunnies – is a perfect example of a fittingly futuristic ensemble in which to take on anything.
A futuristic catsuit comprised the penultimate look at Balenciaga’s spring/summer 2022 showcase.
The Matrix reboot has sparked a surge of sci-fi, survival (ish) gear. Leather trench coats were seen at Khaite, Alaïa and Alexander McQueen for spring/summer 2022, with Lyst reporting that Trinity and Neo-esque outerwear has been in high demand since December (searches for leather trench coats are up 32 per cent).
Hailey Bieber has nodded to the OG ’90s protagonists with her recent style choices. Proving that The Matrix isn’t strictly for Halloween, Bieber has worn gothic coats from Magda Butrym and Isabel Marant, as well as Reformation’s Nylah boots, wool-blend black cargo pants from Bottega Veneta and slimline black-out sunglasses from Raen.