Spring/Summer 2025 Pop Culture-Like Runway Looks
Fashion and pop Culture continue to walk side by side.
Defined as any manifestation of culture transmitted through the mass media, pop culture is a part of everyone's lives. Whether it be albums like BRAT and Short n' Sweet, movies like The Crow and The Substance, or personalities like Ayo Edeberi, Zendaya, Julia Fox, and Chappell Roan. And, for decades, pop culture and fashion have gone hand in hand. From teenagers dressing like Madonna in the '80s with slogan tees, leather jackets, crucifix chains, lace gloves, and messy hair with ribbons, to the revival of tennis fashion with Luca Guadadigno's production Challengers, the entertainment industry and its personalities remain one of the most influential forces in setting trends.
And that dynamic isn't likely to change anytime soon. With Spring/Summer 2025 already over, it's clear that fashion is still closely tied to major pop culture phenomenons. Ahead, check out the standout SS25 pop culture-like looks seen on the runways, from New York City to Paris.
Kate Moss Sheer Dress – Monse
It's impossible to look at a see-through dress and not think of the time Kate Moss rocked a Liza Bruce lamé slip dress at the Elite Model Agency Look of the Year party in 1993. So when Monse sent a sheer number down the runway, everyone's mind went straight to Kate Moss and the '90s.
The Devil Wears Prada – Private Policy
''Don't be ridiculous, Andrea, everyone wants this. Everybody wants to be us,’’ said the evil-but-chic Miranda Priestly in the legendary film The Devil Wears Prada. The final line made an appearance on a Privacy Policy slogan T-shirt. Because yes, everyone wants to be them.
BRAT – LaQuan Smith
From "Apple" to "360," Charli XCX's BRAT album took the world by storm this summer. And not only did it become a club classic, it also solidified the color neon green in mainstream culture. So when Leomie Anderson modeled for LaQuan Smith in a neon green sultry minidress we could only think one thing: Oh, she's so BRAT!
Poor Things – Rodarte
Few films have as much power with young audiences as Yorgos Lanthimos' Poor Things. And of the many characters that add to the fun, no one is more beloved than Bella Baxter. Seen as humorous, relatable with quotes like ''I do not wish to be cruel. I need to improve that aspect of myself,'' and also unconventional, Emma Stone's character has become an icon. Even in fashion, with the bouffant sleeves and Victorian gowns. When Rodarte presented some numbers with those, Bella Baxter naturally came to mind.
Britney Spears – Off White
The red jumpsuit in Off-White is very Britney Spears in Oops...! I did it again video clip.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes – Bibhu Mohaparta
When the hot pink satin strapless dress hit Bibhu Mohapatra's runway, the song Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend probably played in your head in the voice of no one else but Marilyn Monroe aka Lorelei Lee.
Donna Summer – LaQuan Smith
A brown, shiny bathing suit with a giraffe-printed beach cover-up might seem like an ordinary, everyday look at the beach. But when the model has a giant white flower in her hair as it had in LaQuan Smith, a whole new picture emerges: Legendary disco diva Donna Summer, who once performed on stage wearing a brown beaded dress with an ivory flower in her hair.
Marie Antoinette – Yuhan Wang
A lacy, gentle, white princess-esque roomy skirt and knitted top, paired with lace embroidered gloves and tights, seen in Yuhan Wang, nods straight to Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette sleepwear looks worn by actress Kirsten Dunst.
Rihanna – Frederick Anderson
A black and red leopard-print silk dress, seen at Frederick Anderson, recalled a catsuit worn by Fashion Killa Rihanna during a shopping spree at a London Roberto Cavalli store in 2013.
Frankenstein – Area
In the eerie Area collection, a model with electrified-like hair, dark eye shadow and a white gown with hand-printed details pulled off the ultimate Bride of the Frankenstein look.
Aaliyah – Masha Popova
As a black-and-yellow striped minidress graced Masha Popova's show, the image of R&B singer Aaliyah at the 2000 VMAs Awards in a Roberto Cavalli dress in the same shades immediately popped into view.
Black Swan – Simone Rocha
Simone Rocha's tutus are Nina Sayers from Black Swan through and through.
The Supremes – Tolu Coker
At Tolu Coker, a red vibrant set screamed a picture of the girl group The Supremes with similar vivid looks.
How to Lose a guy in 10 Days – Prada
Considered one of the greatest romcoms of all time, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days has all the necessary ingredients, from New York City to its iconic fashion flair. From corporate chic outfits to hot pink Celine Dion T-shirts, no other look carries as much clout as Andie's iconic yellow silk slip dress. Which is why when Prada sent a strapless, butter-yellow number down the runway, it was hard not to think of the cult figure played by Kate Hudson.
Madonna – Dolce & Gabbana
With platinum blonde bobs, crucifixes and sultry garments, Dolce & Gabbana was a complete ode to pop legend Madonna. But it was the look modeled by Vittoria Ceretti that stood out: a strapless white satin dress with a fur scarf, reminiscent of a Bob Mackie number the singer wore to the 1991 Academy Awards.
The Great Gatsby – Gucci
When Gucci sent a shiny silver flapper-esque dress down the runway, it felt like the Roaring Twenties were in the air, and along with the extravagant glamour of that decade came an image of Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby, played by Carey Mulligan.
Lady Gaga – Avavav
It was 15 years ago that Lady Gaga made history with her Paparazzi performance at the 2009 VMAs. On the stage, the star wore a white bejeweled bra and panties that turned red as she began to faux bleed. As MTV channel re-uploaded the video this year, viewers worldwide are still amazed by the singer's legendary presentation. So impressed, in fact, that Avavav sent out final looks with red stains – consider a white tube dress with blood-like marks that scream Gaga's blood-soaked ''I'm your biggest fan, I'll follow you until you love me'' moment.
American Psycho – Bottega Veneta
At Bottega Veneta, a white shirt layered with a longer striped shirt, along with black tailored trousers and a killer tie, channeled American Psycho's Patrick Bateman. Bottega's creation pulled off the ultimate look when he was in his office on a call, wearing a formal business-esque ensemble with cool sunglasses.
Beauty and the Beast – Vaquera
In Paris, Vaquera sent a model wearing a voluminous brown fur coat while holding a red rose, very Beauty and the Beast.
Julia Roberts – Saint Laurent
With androgynous loose suits, Saint Laurent had a Julia Roberts moment in the runway that couldn’t go unnoticed.
Polly Pocket – Loewe
While the live-action Polly Pocket movie may have been canceled, for Loewe's Jonathan Anderson, the petite doll's clothing structures continue to impress.
Matrix – Vetements
An all-black look with futuristic sunglasses at Vetements gave the ultimate Matrix vibe.
Carrie Bradshaw – Vetements
There was a newspaper dress at Vetements featuring Lady Diana's headlines. But I couldn't help but wonder: Sex and the City, Season 3, Episode 17. This is the episode where the controversial but fabulous Carrie Bradshaw stalks Natasha, Mr. Big's ex-wife, whom she had an affair with, leading to the couple's divorce, while wearing the iconic John Galliano newspaper Dior dress.
The Little Mermaid – Schiaparelli
Under Schiaparelli's bright blue scenery, a metallic green dress resembling fish scales evokes Halle Berry's Ariel in The Little Mermaid.
Atonement – Victoria Beckham
Gigi Hadid posed for Victoria Beckham in an emerald silk gown that echoed the iconic green dress worn by Keira Knightley's character Cecilia Tallis in Atonement.
Jackie Kennedy – Valentino
For Alessandro Michele's debut at Valentino, a long black chiffon polka-dot dress was reminiscent of a look once worn by the iconic Jackie O in New York in the 70s.
Secretary – Enfants Riches Déprimés
A white silk blouse paired with a leather pencil skirt and a BDSM-esque collar with a horizontal bar cuffing the model's hands was reminiscent of the opening look worn by Maggie Gyllenhaal as Lee Holloway in Steven Shainberg's film Secretary.
Suki Waterhouse as Karen Sirko – Isabel Marant
The low rise leather pants with a top and jacket at Isabel Marant captured the utmost energy of the rockstar Karen Sirko’s from Daisy Jones & the Six's last show.
Samantha Jones – Balenciaga
When a black fur coat and black lingerie set graced Balenciaga’s runway, everyone immediately thought of Samantha Jones seducing Charlotte York's doorman in Season 1, Episode 3 of Sex and the City.
Connect with Facebook