Fashion trends have a fascinating way of resurfacing and reinventing themselves over the years, and one such trend that has made a bold appearance in the recent SS24 collections, which saw a plethora of rich textures and embellishments, was statement fringe. This airborne accent sashayed its way down the runway from New York to Paris, adding a hint of bohemian flair. Once just a playful hemline favourite, fringes were elongated and used in allover styles in unexpected places. 

Fringe has a storied past, with its roots tracing back to Indigenous cultures and various ancient civilisations, who often used the accent as a type of sartorial gutter to repel rainwater from the wearer, mostly found on garments made from suede, leather, and buckskin. 

But in the 1920s it became synonymous with the the dazzling flapper dresses that epitomised the era. In the 1970s, the tassel dangled for another moment in the spotlight during the height of the hippie movement. Now, its playful and nostalgic appeal is being picked up – seemingly simultaneously – by all the big houses, and newcomers too!


Designers, both established and emerging, have fully embraced the versatility of fringe. The dynamic element has been seen adorning a variety of garments. Prada styled its tailored shorts with metallic fringe belts that glimmered under the show lights; Sabato de Sarno got the memo for his Gucci debut which saw similar shining tassels on an Ancora red skirt and pointed pumps; while, Maximilian Davis incorporated wooded, beaded fringe onto his coveted accessories for Ferragamo, in a collection that referenced both the heritage Italian house’s codes and his own Caribbean heritage in a confident third show in Milan. 


Fringe was also sighted in Paris at Dior in thick black strips on tailoring, at McQueen in signature crimson red at Sarah Burton’s final homage to the Rose and at Mugler to full effect with floor-sweeping, fringe-adorned tuxedos. 


In London, new designer FEBEN toyed with the texture, rendering her statement tassels from individual beads, which made up entire dresses that clinked down the runway. ASAI honed in on a single technique this season, with a weave of fabric strands, either twisted and knotted into dense sculptural clumps or woven into skin-baring netting, all decorated with dangling fringe. 


The recent resurgence of the lively texture adds movement, crafty depth, and a sense of playfulness to garments and accessories, the perfect choice when looking forward to 2024. 

Can’t wait until then, here’s how to shop the trend now…