The fashion of the mid-2000’s can be defined by many things: SATC, Tina Knowles’ hokey Destiny’s Child outfits and Lily Allen. While Carrie’s Manolos were out of reach and Beyonce’s a-symmetric skirts and boob tubes had their moment, it’s the potty-mouthed pop star that’s enduring influence was felt at the recent Off-White showcase during Paris Fashion Week.
Last season Chicago-native Virgil Abloh - best known as Kanye’s sartorial collaborator - claimed Princess Diana was his muse. His mood board featured 29 photographs of the late Princess and paid homage to her two decades on from her untimely death, which happened mere kilometres away from where Abloh’s Off-White label showed.
Hot on the heels of Virgil’s recent autumn winter 18 catwalk show, the designer headed to 46 Rue Cambon to present an installation in collaboration with Nike. Following on from breaking the footwear mould with a menswear collection for the sportswear brand, he and Nike launched a womenswear collection. (Finally!) For this, Virgil called on one of the most iconic female sneakerheads for inspiration: Lily Allen.
Mannequins dressed in three frothy tulle dress from his spring summer 18 collection paid deference to Allen’s iconic late 2000s look. How? By wearing prom dresses and high-top trainers, of course. Though Lily wasn’t the first person to put retro dresses and sneakers together, she was the one that made the look mainstream. If you were a tween, teen or early 20-year-old in this period you’ll remember all too well this unforgettable Myspace-ready wardrobe. For those that didn’t, now is the time to get acquainted as we predict it’s staging a comeback.
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.