When out in New York last night (June 15) for Rhode's first birthday party, Hailey Bieber confirmed our recent suspicions - that 2023 will be the year we finally, actually, dare to wear sequins during the summer.
And no, we don't mean just at festivals where sequins, glitter and all things OOT are encouraged, we mean to weddings, nights out, maybe even, *gulp*, a lunch?
The 26 year-old called on Vivienne Westwood Couture for her Barbiecore mini dress. The custom-made, corseted dress was covered in Swarovski crystals and paired with jewellery from Tiffany & Co., sequin handbag and clear shoes.
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Summer Sparkles This Way
ALAÏA Alaïa
£1,644.75
16Arlington Luna sequined stretch-tulle mini dress
But, this isn't the first time Bieber declared sequin season far from over, when in London for the Rhode UK launch party last month she wore a totally mermaid-inspired 16Arlington sequinned maxi dress.
In fact, it's this British brand who are the go-to for summer sparkles for those in the know, with their flat paillette fabrication reading as both fantastical and sultry even in daylight. Alaïa's crystal-embellished ballet flats have similarly been a cult item of Spring - ELLE UK's own Editor In Chief, Kenya Hunt, can often be seen walking from meeting to meeting in her own pair - and Paco Rabanne's ever-popular handbags are having a bit of a renaissance if our Instagram feeds are anything to go by.
It's no coincidence both The Little Mermaid and Barbie are out this summer, giving us all inspiration to be a little more magical and ultra-femme. But, we wonder if there isn't also a little 'Quiet Luxury' backlash going on here? Maybe we're all getting a little bored of looking so darn grown up?
Either way, to all you Geminis, Cancers and Leos out there, we have a birthday party dress code for you: summer sparkles.
Daisy Murray is the Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, spotlighting emerging designers, sustainable shopping, and celebrity style. Since joining in 2016 as an editorial intern, Daisy has run the gamut of fashion journalism - interviewing Molly Goddard backstage at London Fashion Week, investigating the power of androgynous dressing and celebrating the joys of vintage shopping.
