Nowadays, fashion trends act like a mirror, reflecting how influenced we are by what we consume on social media, capturing the vibes of the interconnected moment we live in. The pop culture elements – for example, movies, TV shows, games and music videos – along with TikTok and Instagram trends shape the style, influencing global trends.
The intrinsic relationship between fashion and pop culture is not something new: we can observe it as far back as the last century. With movements like Beatlemania in the 1960s, the disco fashion in the 1970s, the glam rock in the 1980s or the grunge in the 1990s. Furthermore, musicians are known for their avant-garde style, oftenexperimenting with new styles, collaborating with fashion designers and inspiring new fashion trends.
In Cinema, costumes are presented to the world through the big screen, captivating the audience and influencing the way people dress in real life and their consumption habits – since these productions move markets and generate thousands of dollars annually, as fans try to copy these looks.
Kill Bill’s Sneakers Revival
The iconic yellow sneakers seen in the movie Kill Bill are making a comeback in fashion. More than 32 million tourists (especially Gen Zers) who visited Japan this year bought the shoes that Uma Thurnman used in the film, resulting in a huge fashion boom.
The Japanese brand Onitsuka Tiger has registered ¥66 billion (US$ 434 million) in sales during the first half of this year, an increase of 50% compared to the previous year’s sales. Thanks to this growth, the brand plans to return to the US market by 2027.
Onitsuka is even betting on a bolder and premium positioning, including a collaboration with Versace. From a vintage relic to a fashion symbol, Onitsuka Tiger shoes are showing that, in the fashion world, all it takes is a touch of nostalgia and the help of Gen Z to transform tradition into a global trend.
The Taylor Swift Phenomenon
The internationally famous singer Taylor Swift, and the Kansas City Chiefs football player Travis Kelce, began publicly dating back in September 2023, but it was in August of this year (2025) that they got engaged and shared a few photos on Instagram celebrating this special moment. Besides the beautiful ring, the fans focused on the simple yet iconic dress she wore.
In the beginningof her new bridal era, she wore a black-and-white striped dress from Polo Ralph Lauren that costs US$ 320. Yet, the price didn’t scare the fans, quite the opposite: the so-called “Taylormania” made the fans rush into stores, and the dress sold out half an hour after the announcement was posted online.
Audrey Hepburn’s black dress
In the iconic movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the fashionable Holly Golightly is played by the Hollywood actress Audrey Hepburn. In the feature, she wears a creation of her best friend, Hubert de Givenchy: a simple, yet memorable, black boatneck dress, from the Fall 1960 haute couture collection.
Along with a pearl necklace made by Roger Scemama, the dress made its way into the public’s heart, either by being an easy Halloween costume to recreate, or even a classic style for a special occasion.
Likewise, the original piece is stored within the House of Givenchy’s private collector’s archive, and recently, one of the official replicas made its way to the spotlight for the Vogue World 2025: Hollywood runaway.
Avril Lavigne’s pop punk style
When we talk about Avril Lavigne, we immediately think of her iconic music videos from the early2000s, and also the nostalgia of her edgy-chic, punk glam looks that helped shape the fashion trends of the 2010s.
With her colorful hair streaks, low-rise cargo jeans and graphic tees, Avril shaped the fashion of the early YouTube music videos and still inspires other artists, such as Olivia Rodrigo, who invited Lavigne to sing one of her biggest hits, “Complicated”, on the stage of the Sour Tour.
Legacy
It’s clear that music and film have made their way to becoming essential influencers for culture, style and fashion. Their legacy still inspires designers and brands, reflecting social trends and serving as a field for all kinds of artists to express themselves.
The connections between the musical and cinematic worlds keep the fashion world alive and dynamic, thriving through the decades and inspiring different generations, connecting people and their love for this theme.
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The article above was edited by Maryanna Arison.
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