While fast-to-rise-and-fall fads rule the trend cycle in the era of social media, there’s one trend that refuses to ever truly leave. Backed by the Pinterest Predicts’ analysis, multiple runway looks, and streetwear pieces, 2025 is proving to be the year of celebrating the beauty of layered maximalism.
A stark contrast from the rise of trends like “quiet luxury” in the previous years, the world is increasingly leaning toward bold forms of expression, heralding a new era of the more is more aesthetic.
Gone are the days when subdued palettes took over the runways. Maximalism, with its unapologetically ostentatious spirit, is staging a triumphant comeback. An artful chaos juxtaposing clashing patterns, bold bursts of colours, and flamboyant textures, this counter-trend champions individuality like no other.
Think 3D hand-embroidered jackets layered over sequined dresses or OTT outfits paired with eccentric charm-adorned bags. Acting as the epitome of opulence and audacity, this era of excess dares to defy the constraints of traditional fashion norms.
The roots of maximalism run deep, harking back to eras like the Baroque and Rococo, where opulence was the ultimate marker of taste. Back home, Indian aesthetics have long celebrated grandeur, ornamentation, and intricate detailing. Gem-encrusted ensembles, painstaking zari and zardozi work, rich brocades, and a tapestry of luxurious textiles have defined the country’s sartorial narrative for aeons and continue to do so.
On the runways, designers have fully embraced this ethos. From metallic embroideries and architectural silhouettes to an audacious mix of prints, the collections feel like walking art installations. Couturiers like Jean Paul Gaultier, Schiaparelli, Alexander McQueen, Maison Margiela, and more have transformed the runway into a stage for artistic rebellion for years. Leaning into the fantasy-inspired designs recently was Maison Valentino’s Alessandro Michele with the Vertigineaux collection. Adding to the drama of Paris Haute Couture Week, Michele’s creations featured voluminous skirts ornate with panniers, ruffles, embroidery, wings, flounces, harlequin patterns, and much more.
Indian designers, too, have seamlessly woven maximalism into their creative lexicon. From the grandeur of Rahul Mishra’s richly embroidered masterpieces to the dramatic, layered couture by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, the country’s design fraternity is setting benchmarks for maximalist expression. Whether it’s Papa Don’t Preach by Shubhika’s kitsch creations or Sabyasachi’s heritage-laden silhouettes, each design is a masterful tribute to India’s rich maximalist legacy with a bold stroke of new-age elements.
Taking his craft to the global stage, Rahul Mishra has charmed Paris Haute Couture Week over the years with a maximalist language of his own. His 2023 collection, titled Cosmos, brought a galaxy of interstellar elements to life through layers and layers of 3D hand embroidery and appliquéd details. Since bringing the cosmos alive on the runway, the couturier has showcased multiple collections encapsulating the depths of human emotion, shifting forces of nature, and otherworldly energies, proving himself as a true master of maximalism.
Making an exhilarating foray into menswear, maximalism is reshaping the very fabric of men’s fashion. While the new wave of exuberance isn’t for the fainthearted, designers are reinterpreting masculinity through a more expansive lens. Richly embroidered jackets, oversized tailoring, flamboyant hues, and layered accessories are no longer confined to womenswear. Rejecting the neutral aesthetic and owning over-the-top ensembles, design houses like Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and more are rewriting the rules with styles that demand attention.
The runway isn’t the only place where maximalism has taken over. Streetwear and interior design are also playgrounds filled with unconventional graphics, exaggerated proportions, and a riot of colours. Social media feeds are awash with netizens layering fur-lined coats over neon pants or pairing oversized sunglasses with sculptural jewellery. The common thread? A fearless approach to self-expression, amplified by the virality of visuals in the digital age.
The comeback of maximalism is as much a reaction to cultural and economic forces as it is a matter of taste. After years of economic uncertainties post the pandemic, inflation phases, and the homogenising effect of minimalism, people are yearning for individuality. In a world that often feels chaotic due to circumstances out of our control, the controlled exuberance of maximalism offers a sense of liberation. It’s a reminder that we don’t need to be afraid of taking up space, making daring choices, and owning our uniqueness.
More isn’t just more – it’s meaningful, or maybe it doesn’t have to be. The only rule? Ditching the rules by pushing the envelope with the freedom to embrace the extra, the excessive, and the exquisitely individual.