This year is expected to focus on the clown as a fashion statement, which is all bit dramatic. Christopher John Rogers kicked things off with his fall 2023 pre-fall collection which featured the most stunning white ivory clown suit complete with silk blooms for more excitement. The theme of the clown has been a trending topic in fashion and was evident during the fashion shows of spring 2023 in Paris. Dior showed a glamorous clown’s collar, inspired by the style that was worn by Josephine Baker, while Armani Prive completely devoted itself to shimmering patterns and harlequin prints. Chanel’s adorning top hats and bows were a nod to the imagining of an ringsleader. Even Marni’s fashion show of fall 2023 held in Japan and was an ode to the soaring, absurd forms and silhouettes iconic model’s attire.
For those who don’t know, Pierrot, the classic pantomime-based character who was associated with the 17th century Italian performance troupe in Paris is possibly the most popular clown ever with a rich lineage of fashion references that range from John Galliano to Vivienne Westwood. “I love the wide range of emotions that the characters can represent,” Rogers says Rogers of his clown costume in his latest collection. “We’ve created this look previously with Collection 009, but in a multi-hued pink silk and I was thinking it would be gorgeous in a material with more articulation , like silk Taffeta. I’m always looking up stock characters such as Pierrot to get ideas We thought that it would be lovely to add fabric flowers along the center of the front would be an amazing addition.”
The coolest brands are all about clowns as an idea. Think of Bode who has reinvented the iconic clown suit costume time and again. Similar to TYT, a hosiery brand that is unisex. the TYT brand has created a dazzling clown-printed skirts and tights with a variety of colors, with quirky characters that are as hilarious as they are frightening. When the designer Sasha Marie Bell stumbled upon an unopened Jack in the Box at her boyfriend’s home in Italy that had been handed down from generation to generation She knew she needed to make something of the item. “It was a change from the usual routine of scanning images to create our tights,” she reveals. “By incorporating a physical object into our process, we were able to add extra personal touch and connect on a deeper level to the past, which I think makes our clown pieces all the more special.”
Clown-themed fashions aren’t brand new.
Actually, the first known clowns date to in the Fifth Dynasty of Egypt, approximately 2400 BC. Because the clown’s image is closely tied to his uniform and costume, it has been a source of inspiration for style for many centuries. A few of the memorable instances include Westwood testing the harlequin print in 1989 and before that, stars such as David Bowie and Freddie Mercury were seen wearing costumes that were inspired by clowns. There was a flurry of clown-themed fashion on runways in 2021 and has only been getting more outrageous and fun ever since.
Bell observed an increase in the popularity of clowns in 2020 , and was quick to take advantage of the trend, sporting bodycon tights and skirts adorned with a cryptic reference towards the clown. “It’s a movement that’s all about having a good time and standing out from the crowd–that’s what makes it so fun,” Bell declares. “If you wear any of our clown pieces, be prepared for some curious stares, but also be ready to embrace your inner circus performer and have a cheeky time.”
The style is certainly not uninfluenced by TikTok.
In the midst of COVID-19 the majority of fashion enthusiasts on the platform were completely committed to the clowncore movement that is precisely what it is clothes that celebrate the beauty of clowns. Kelley Heyer was among the most well-known creators, known for the following specifically: “During the peak [of the] pandemic, all my work as an actor stopped and I felt like I had no creative outlet,” she said. “I went to social media and discovered an immense amount of pleasure in sharing my clothes and fashion online. I began to lean more towards the art of fashion.
How far can a style take you before it’s part of a costume for the stage?
Aren’t all outfits something like costumes? I was really inspired by a few sparkling party hats that I came across on the internet and I styled a few looks using them, and dubbed it ‘clowncore.. After that, over the next few months , I noticed that the word and the style begin to really take off.”
However, why in 2023 is the clown now the most popular muse of fashion? Maybe it’s because of the opposite side of strict minimalism that we’re often witnessing. The pandemic definitely sparked the revival of an expressive, maximalist styles which was evident at the ways of some labels as well. However, with that is the other side on the scale. People are looking for fashionable, practical pieces that have a distinct personality however allow the wearer to blend into more, as is evident in the excitement surrounding Phoebe Philo’s triumphant return to fashion. Bottega Veneta has recently traded bright sequins and vibrant leathers in exchange for blue jeans and flannels made from leather, as well. Miu Miu along with Valentino have taken on to neutrals and a more everyday look. The clown, in its current form seems like a quick and difficult, gut-wrenching, savage reaction that is full of expression and humor when confronted with everything basic. It’s somewhat bizarre and a lot of fun and definitely attention-grabbing.
Heyer believes that the focus should be on full-on, creative expression. Perhaps even a little bit of thrill value. “There’s nothing subtle about clowns,” she declares. “I think that people have come out of in the shadows. We’ve been in the dark these last several years that it’s allowed us the chance to reflect on what we’re like. Making these utterly ridiculous costumes is a way to say ‘look at me and this is my identity.'” She adds: “The world is scary in the present, and I can see the rising popularity of clowncore as our desire to be silly , extravagant and funny in the midst of a dark world in the world. We have to find happiness somewhere and the wearing of these clothes as the clown lets us become a character and share our joy.”
One of the things that stands out about the popularity of fashion-conscious clowns is that even celebrities are participating in the game. For instance, Harry Styles, who was seen wearing a variety of harlequin checks in an uncut, glittering dress for the 2023 Grammy Awards in February. Some stylists believe the imminent recession could be the cause behind this trend: “We are slowly coming out of the pandemic, people are looking for a sense of levity,” says fashion stylist Shea Daspin. “With the economy in a downturn, a hit of nostalgia in the form of fun, innocent childhood memories such as the circus or clowns is becoming more and more popular and pulling people out of the bleak fog we’ve been experiencing since 2020.”
In any case like a lot of runway fashions, dressing like clowns is extremely affordable:
To get the clown aesthetic without breaking the bank, all you need is an oversized detachable collar and at least one item of clothing with either polka dots, checks, or a harlequin pattern–the larger the better,” says Daspin.
The new Pierrot-inspired characters of our wardrobes serve a part as absurdist perspectives of maximalism, and it’s evident that we’ve been working on. It’s fun to laugh at fashion when it is a bit scary or, even more so, boring?
