We admit the tendency to add ‘-core’ to the end of every new fashion and beauty trend that evolves into global consciousness is getting tiresome.
But get ready for the newest incarnation set to join ‘Barbiecore’ in influencing our summer aesthetic.
‘Mermaidcore’ is the collective term being used to describe the plethora of oceanic ideas and looks that infused the recently wrapped up fashion weeks in New York, Milan, London and Paris.
Those collections, including the presentations from fashion’s heavyweights like Chanel, Prada, Louis Vuitton and Gucci (above left), were setting out the brand’s ranges for Spring/Summer 2023, which does not hit the northern hemisphere until March next year.
Which means those of us in the southern hemisphere now rolling into our own warmer months, are perfectly placed to get the jump on a trend that embraces looking like you’ve just wandered out of gentle, azure waters and up onto the sand.
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With the world facing some challenging situations and the lingering impact of the pandemic still being felt, it’s not surprising designers and beauty creators have been looking to the natural world for inspiration. In particular the water, and the creatures who inhabit it, real or otherwise.
It could have something to do with the impending arrival of Disney’s remake of The Little Mermaid. That certainly was the case at Bluemarine, the Italian fashion house sending out an entire mermaid-inspired collection, complete with Ariel-red hair.
“I’m very excited,” Blumarine creative director Nicola Brognano told Vogue of anticipating the new version of the mermaid classic, saying the original is one of his favourites.
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Either way, repeated appearances of glistening skin, wet locks, touches of shimmering iridescence and the recurring appearance of blue eye makeup, which has been bubbling under for a while now, have all added up to the ideas being grouped together as ‘mermaidcore’.
Particularly dominating the beauty look of many collections was soaked-through, wet-look hair. Like each model had used their fingers – or perhaps a shell comb? – to slick their locks back off their face slightly, leaving ends loose. This look was notable at Victoria Beckham, where the Hadid sisters rocked the look with fresh, glossy skin, as well as salt-sleek hair.
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Touches of metallics, glimmer and glitter in blues and greens from a smattering at Edward Crutchley to full faces at Mark Fast, also showed we’re not done with shine just yet.
The beauty looks joined slinky bias-cut dresses with trailing ribbons and asymmetric hems in many collections.
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At Luisa Beccaria a collection called ‘Making Waves’ saw models took to the runway with flowing locks embellished with stones and shells. Now there’s a beach holiday DIY project we can embrace!
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Images (top): Gucci S/S23 presentation ‘Twinsville’; a beauty look by makeup artist Michelle Dacillo.
