Marc Jacobs Fall Winter 2024-25 “Disney Princess”. Story by Eleonora de Gray, Editor-in-Chief of RUNWAY MAGAZINE. Photo / Video Courtesy: Marc Jacobs.
The Marc Jacobs Fall Winter 2024-25 collection is a breathtaking symphony of bold colors, oversized proportions, and enchanting Disney Princess aesthetics. Designed by Mathew Joseph Carter, this collection is nothing short of spectacular, showcasing an incredible array of skirts adorned with huge Swarovski crystals, towering pointy heels, and whimsical princess dresses. It’s a fantastical journey through a world where fashion becomes a medium for fearless self-expression and unapologetic individuality.
Fashion has always been a powerful tool for articulating our inner selves, and this collection takes that idea to new heights. With every piece, Jacobs invites us to explore and display our thoughts, desires, and identities in a quest for joy, beauty, and personal transformation. The bold and courageous designs reflect an ethos of living authentically and choosing love over hate, faith over fear, even in the face of societal pressures.
As the models took to the runway in the New York Public Library’s long, narrow hallway, the spectacle was mesmerizing. Miniskirts with ultra-short lengths, knee-length skirts with playful arcing hemlines, and garments that seemed almost too large for the models played delightful tricks on the eye. The oversized shoes and exaggerated shapes turned the models into larger-than-life protagonists, exuding main character energy with every step. This collection wasn’t just about clothing; it was about creating a world where the extraordinary becomes the norm.
The inspiration from Disney Princesses and Minnie Mouse in her iconic polka dot dress added a layer of nostalgic charm. The collection felt like a sequel to Hollywood blockbuster that brought the doll clothes motif to life. A large-buttoned skirt suit, familiar from Jacobs’s earlier, more understated work, was reimagined in a super-shrunken shape. The hourglass silhouette of a lace dress was exaggerated to suit an animated bombshell, while sweater sets and A-line skirts in bold, primary colors breathed new life into classic styles.
The collection also made a poignant statement in the context of current sociopolitical climates. Jacobs uses his platform to champion inclusivity and diversity. His designs favor hyperbole over quiet luxury, creating a safe space for all kinds, especially those who defy traditional norms. This collection is a celebration of individuality, a reminder that fashion can be a powerful tool for resistance and reflection.
Each piece in the collection sparkled with an almost otherworldly brilliance, thanks to the generous use of Swarovski crystals. These dazzling details, combined with the bold, primary colors, created a visual feast that was both joyful and awe-inspiring. The exaggerated proportions and whimsical elements invited viewers to pause and reflect, to imagine a world where such fairy-tale fashion could be an everyday reality.
Jacobs’s personal philosophy shines through in this collection, emphasizing the importance of living with authenticity and rejecting the need for societal validation. “The future remains unwritten,” Jacobs wrote in his notes, a sentiment that captures the spirit of this collection. In a world that often feels uncertain, Jacobs offers a brief, beautiful respite—a fairy tale world where we can revel in the joy of self-expression and dream of a more inclusive, colorful future.
In Marc Jacobs’s fairy tale, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and fashion becomes a transformative experience. For a moment, he tilts the world on its axis, inviting us all to step into his enchanted realm.