From sweats to slogan tees, Miranda Thompson charts the labels making a cool comeback
TOMMY HILFIGER
This was the brand that defined the 90s, racking up $2 billion in sales a year by the end of the last century.
From left: Gigi Hadid and Suki Waterhouse are Tommy Hilfiger aficionados
THE COMEBACK By collaborating with en vogue models such as Gigi Hadid (on four hugely successful capsule collections), the all-American brand’s rebirth has gone from strength to strength and was recently named as one of the most-viewed designers of 2017 on Instagram Stories.
THE FANS Suki Waterhouse and Gigi Hadid.
KATHARINE HAMNETT
The British designer made her mark in the 1980s with her now iconic ‘Choose Life’ T-shirts.
From left: Daisy Lowe and Caroline Flack have been spotted in Katharine Hamnett T-shirts
THE COMEBACK came last September with the relaunch of her eponymous label. Katharine’s passion for activism is reflected in her latest protest T-shirts, which proclaim her anti-Brexit stance, or ‘Choose Love’, sold to raise money for refugees. Kanye West is an admirer; in 2015 he used her archive as inspiration for his Adidas line Yeezy, borrowing 300 garments.
THE FANS Daisy Lowe and Caroline Flack.
ESPRIT
A former fashion favourite, this US brand’s fortunes had faded since its success of decades ago.
From left: Karlie Kloss sports Esprit
THE COMEBACK Esprit has jumped on the 80s- and 90s-revival bandwagon by teaming up with influential label Opening Ceremony. The new looks – which hark back to the low-key, slogan-heavy pieces from the brand’s early days – have been snapped up by celebrities.
THE FANS Jessica Alba and Karlie Kloss.
FIORUCCI
The Milan-based brand was known as ‘daytime Studio 54’ and counted Madonna and Jackie O as fans before it went into administration in 1989.
From left: Georgia May Jagger and Viscountess Weymouth Emma McQuiston are spearheading the Fiorucci revival
THE COMEBACK With new owners at the helm, the focus is on the ‘Fiorucci of the future’, with Georgia May Jagger as its face, lots of denim – the label is said to have invented the skinny jean – and collections featuring its famous angel motif. It opened a three-floor London store last September.
THE FANS Chloë Sevigny and Viscountess Weymouth Emma McQuiston.