Trending: Follow the Fashion Flock to Feathertown

Let’s face it, the animal kingdom is a wild and widely diverse place filled with species big and small. So when it comes to selecting animal-inspired pieces for your home décor, where does one begin? This season, we’re taking an interior flight of fancy as we look to the skies and catwalks for the latest trend circling the wonderful world of birds.

For many seasons now, the fashion set has flocked to aviary-inspired attire and accessories, proving that birds, feathers and fringe are here for more than a mere fleeting moment.

You don’t need to delve too deeply into the sartorial archives to gauge the impressive and widespread use of bird paraphernalia in fashion, from iconography to pattern to flurries of feathers even in only the last couple of seasons.

In 2023 designers resisted winter hibernation, instead affording feathers centre stage in the cooler climes of Fall Winter collections where they ranged from light, wispy iterations at Valentino to large, petal-like plumes at Loewe. A refreshing approach during Fall Winter 2023 was seen at Paco Rabanne, where a flurry of shimmying and sparkling metallic feathers were sent down the ready-to-wear runway in a cacophony of sights and sounds for the senses. This luxe treatment of plumes proved the versatility of the humble feather into something magically whimsical. This metallic treatment was then seen on the red carpet of Hollywood’s night of nights at the 2024 Academy Awards where actresses such as Lupita Nyong’o (Giorgio Armani Privé) and Anya Taylor-Joy (Dior Haute Couture) both donned dresses adorned with shimmering feathers. 

This ethereal treatment continued in Spring Summer 2024 runways where Mugler approached their designs with a featherlight (pun intended) touch, applying translucent thin feathers atop pastel tinted dresses and sheer one-pieces, while in striking contrast, Maison Margiela pulled no punches, dressing models in heavy folds and full length ruffles of black and grey feathers. 

As Fall Winter 2024 Fashion Week’s began at the start of the calendar year, the feathered trend was showing no signs of perching in the background. Heavy hitters like Celine and Givenchy exhibited differing takes on the trend, highlighting the versatility of the feather, from individual feather embellishments on bridal-like gowns to 60’s silhouettes adorned with feathers. While “feathers, fringe, and woven designs were featured on the runways this season, as seen in the collections of Gabriela Hearst, Tory Burch, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen…”, utilizing the natural warmth of such materials. 

More recently in May of this year, the Met Gala’s 2024 theme “The Garden of Time” leant itself to nature-inspired fashions with an array of interpretations seen on the famed steps. From prosthetic-like wings adorning Ariana Grande’s face to Elle Fanning’s fantastical floating glass-like birds to Zendaya’s blue bird daintily nesting in her neck, the gala was a bountiful celebration of bird life. 

Hot off the press, the Annual amfAR Gala 2024 held as part of the Cannes Film Festival saw the model set flock to featherdom. Canadian model Coco Rocha captivated in a head-to-toe bird inspired ensemble complete with golden feather cape which cascaded like a cocoon around her gold feather applique dress, an unmistakably bougie take on bird life. In contrast, Italian model-actress Mariacarla Boscono served a striking homage to Black Swan with an entirely black feathered Dilara Findikoglu gown, showcasing a seductively dramatic take on the trend, while Swedish model and designer Elsa Hosk wore a dramatic white Nina Ricci gown complete with floating 3D black feather neckline. 

So before you say Bye Bye Birdy, take a moment to be inspired by the whimsical wonders of bird life as seen head to toe in fashion, and decide whether your space could do with a feathered friend or two? After all, birds of a feather stick together! 

Happy Styling x GIGI&TOM