The Isabel Marant Influence: 2024’s Biggest Comeback
Isabel Marant is the ultimate cool girl, and has been since the late 90s. Known for her effortless boho-chic aesthetic with a hint of edge, Marant has built a legacy far surpassing the runway. She is undoubtedly one of the pioneers in making casual looks elevated, and when her designs are worn, you know it's a Marant piece without having to ask. This year especially, we have seen a massive comeback of the fashion brand as her infamous wedge sneaker resurges and the "Isabel Marant Girl" takes the internet by storm. Her classic looks are still influencing many, and it goes to show that the Isabel Marant style is timeless.
Born in the suburbs of Paris in 1967, Isabel rejected societal norms and sought her inspiration in unconventional and unique ways from the get-go. She refused to wear her school-issued uniform (a dress) in grade school, dressed up in her father's suits and silk dressing gowns, and refashioned his old jumpers. Isabel even dropped the last syllable of her name, initially Isabelle, to change its pronunciation after finding out that four other girls in her class had the same name. Surprisingly enough, Isabel had no desire to pursue fashion design as a career when she was younger and instead aspired to be a veterinarian. Even after she asked her father for a sewing machine and began making clothing from thrifted fabrics, it was still a hobby. When she was sixteen and started to sell her clothing, she decided to enroll in a prestigious fashion school and dive into design. She began working with different artists and creative directors of iconic fashion brands such as Chloe, Yohji Yamamoto, etc., and soon after, Marant launched her own collection in 1989. In 1995, she put on her first runway show for the Spring/Summer season, and her journey to success quickly paved its way as she opened her flagship stores, birthed her diffusion line "Etoile," and accumulated many fashion awards.
As her clothing brand captured the attention of celebrities and influencers, it became the hallmark "throw it on and walk out the door" look - as I like to call it. Kate Moss, Alexa Chung, Kate Bosworth, and Sienna Miller were a few of the fashionable figureheads donning her garments, and Marant especially gained publicity for her infamous Bekett sneaker - a high-top wedge sneaker with a puffy tongue and Velcro straps. The fashion brand has revamped the signature shoe after its recent resurgence; many are wearing them out and about. The shoe's comeback is a hot take; to some, it's a definite yes - to others, not so much. Like plenty of the trends we see today, such as coastal grandma, cottage core, and country-house chic, the "Isabel Marant girl" is, in my opinion, one of the original styles to influence the foundation of these trends. To be an "Isabel Marant girl," you are most likely wearing some combination of a frilly blouse, fringe, slouchy sweater, and bold accessory that has a very free-spirited appeal and gives off a "cool-Parisian who's a tomboy at the core” vibe. Many are digging deep into their closets to pull out their throwback Marant pieces and rocking a mixture of both old and new, and this was Isabel's goal to achieve a more sustainable environment - find what you like and consume less. It's predicted that this upcoming fall will be filled with more boho-inspired looks (with a little bit of rock and roll) on par with the Isabel Marant aesthetic, especially after recent fashion shows from Chloe, Ulla Johnson, Bottega Venetta, and more.
It's clear that Isabel Marant has been and will continue to be a muse for the fashion world, as her influence remains as potent as ever. The designer is appealing to all ages, and she makes it easy to be cool. I'm officially inspired, and now I am taking a long look at my closet and possibly hitting a reset button before this upcoming fall. If you're not on the Isabel Marant train, you might reconsider and hop on it now.
