Male Fashion Pioneers of 2023
Male Fashion Pioneers of 2023
By: Abby Fulmar
The fashion world evolves and shifts at the speed of light. By the time a trend trickles down from runways to retail stores, many have already moved on to the next best thing. This constant whirlwind causes the industry to target its largest group of consumers, women, pushing popular male fashion trends and influencers to the background. Within recent years, however, there has been a noticeable shift in men’s approach to fashion. They are becoming bolder and more experimental, not allowing labels to constrict their creativity. Much of this change can be attributed to the newfound diversity of male fashion influencers. So as 2023 comes to an end, let us take a look at a few men who have become pioneers in the industry and continue to usher in a new era of boundary-breaking, innovative fashion.
Bad Bunny
Known as the “King of Latin Trap,” Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny has gained massive popularity in the U.S. throughout recent years. In 2022, his fourth studio album Un Verano Sin Ti solidified his spot as one of the most recognizable Latin artists in the world, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 and staying there for thirteen non-consecutive weeks. After the success of Un Verano Sin Ti, Bad Bunny embarked on a successful world tour, where his stage outfits’ use of vibrant patterns and unique materials caught the eyes of fashion lovers worldwide. He has stayed true to his eye-catching style through his red-carpet outfits, which are often deemed “risque” by many. For the 2023 Met Gala, Bad Bunny stepped out in a custom Jacquemus white tweed suit with a low cut, open back – a stereotypically feminine silhouette. His style provides a stark contrast to his traditionally “masculine” music and demeanor. His confidence and bold choices push back against toxic masculinity, prompting men to make a statement and never take fashion too seriously.
Pedro Pascal
After years of working in the film industry, 48-year-old The Mandalorian star Pedro Pascal has just recently become Hollywood’s newest heartthrob. Pascal’s sudden appeal seems to stem from the development of his personal style. In the past, he was often seen attending award shows and red carpets in a standard suit, usually with a traditional silhouette and neutral color palette. Pascal first garnered attention after incorporating interesting textures and funky colors into his everyday style during promotions for The Mandalorian. As his career progressed, he started embracing bolder fashion choices and ended up rewriting the narrative, becoming known for his unique outfits on red carpets and public appearances. His current style can be described as youthful but sophisticated, often mixing trends such as baggy trousers and knits with more traditional pieces like cardigans and button-ups. His fashion evolution throughout 2023 goes to show that an experimental style is not reserved for a certain age group or generation and that you have the power to change your style no matter how long you have dressed a certain way.
A$AP Rocky
Since releasing his first hit single “Peso” in 2011, rapper A$AP Rocky has been a constant influential force in the hip-hop scene. Rocky first entered the realm of fashion through collaborations with brands like Guess. The collection, rightly named GUE$$, was inspired by his love for the brand’s vintage ‘90s clothing that he wore growing up. After his largely discussed split from model Kendall Jenner around 2017, he began experimenting with a brand new style. Although his style began as very hip-hop and streetwear-inspired with baggy clothes and bold accessories, his fashion sense began evolving into something more refined and high-end. He collaborated with luxury brands such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton and is now a regular in the fashion month circuit. Over the past year, he has blurred lines like never before, experimenting with “feminine” items like pearl necklaces, statement jewelry, and headscarves. However, his biggest statements have come from events such as the Met Gala, where he shocked earlier this year in a simple suit jacket paired with a kilt and bedazzled jeans. A$AP Rocky’s fashion influence is unique in the sense that it brings people together. He is simultaneously changing how streetwear and rappers are perceived while also breaking gender stereotypes and embracing femininity in a way that many are afraid to do.
Kim Hongjoong
Kim Hongjoong is the leader and main rapper of global K-pop group ATEEZ. Since his debut in 2018, Hongjoong has frequently shown his love for upcycling and reinventing his clothing pieces, often as a way to express his creativity beyond writing and producing music. While he has long been known for his daring and gender-blurring personal style in his home country of South Korea, he had yet to make an impact on a global scale until he collaborated with luxury brand Balmain earlier this year. During an interview with Cosmopolitan last March, Hongjoong named Balmain’s creative director Olivier Rousteing as one of his biggest fashion inspirations. Following the interview, Rousteing reached out and personally invited him to attend Balmain’s spring presentation in Paris. Hongjoong soon became a Balmain global ambassador, nicknamed the “Balmain Prince” by Rousteing himself. Hongjoong’s connections with high-end brands and participation in some of the biggest fashion events of the year have helped diversify and bring more Asian representation to the industry. Along with his contributions to Korea, it is no surprise that his work with Balmain has greatly evolved his fashion sense. He is known for his use of soft silhouettes and delicate accessorizing, showing that men’s suits can be extravagant and fun while staying sophisticated and refined.
Without the influence of daring men like these, along with many others, men’s fashion would still be slowly progressing. However, after the great leaps the industry has taken within this past year, there is no denying that men’s fashion is becoming increasingly important to the female-dominated trend cycle.
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Images belong to their respective owners.
Graphic by Aliza Warner.