It’s no secret that the Fall/Winter 2023 catwalks saw a new interpretation of luxury, whether in the form of minimalist creations or wearable classics. It is precisely these values that have guided Net-a-Porter this season, as the company wants to focus more on the so-called “extremely important people” (EIPs). Although this group accounts for only 3 percent of customers, it accounts for 40 percent of sales.
To strengthen this demographic and ensure this “hardy” customer base invests more in their wardrobes, Net-a-Porter will upgrade its assortment, expand its loyalty program and expand its circular product offering, according to Marketing Director Libby Page. All of these aspects are worth considering, but the platform has deepened its efforts to define its product offering in a seasonal presentation on AW23 trends. Page also explained how Net-a-Porter engages with the “Extremely Important People”.
FashionUnited took a closer look at Net-a-Porter’s key trends for Fall Winter 2023 and what these trends mean for the seasons to come.
Portable and minimalist
Much of Page’s presentation revolved around the theme of “modern luxury,” which has been present both on the runway and in real life, be it in media coverage of Quiet Luxury, the final season of HBO’s Succession, or the much-publicized trial of Gwyneth Paltrow. “This sentiment is at the peak of consumerism and we’re not showing any signs of slowing down,” Page continued. “However, I have to say that this is not a trend or a new wave, but a shopping mentality that our groundbreaking EIPs have had since SS23.”
For the coming season, Page has tapped into this observation with the “wearable essentials” trend. White shirts, black coats and tank tops are the epitome of luxury for FW23. While some established brands were fueling this trend, it was newer labels that were really making waves, including brand Tove, which made its London debut. The trend of “modern minimalism” was also based on simple fashion, albeit with allusions to bygone eras. “Without frills, modern minimalism gave our favorite decade, the ’90s, a cool, architectural, and upscale makeover,” she added. “The silhouettes, monochromatic color palette and hardware details transformed ’90s inspirations and made them look more modern than ever.”
Effortless evening wear
As with the previous trend, Page noticed a distinct, effortless edge in evening wear, as many designers used fashion weeks to showcase a fresh take on the category. “In keeping with the season’s understated tone, we saw a continued understated and understated approach to eveningwear on the runway, and this is already carrying over to the red carpets, where stylists and celebrities have taken a much more understated approach,” said Page Ann Demeulemeester and Loewe each sported flowing silk dresses with simple silhouettes that Page says represent a form of “old-school Hollywood glamour”. “The transition from catwalk to red carpet has never been so rapid. It’s become a prime marketing asset, and designers not yet known for evening wear recognize this opportunity,” she added.
Tailoring and strong details
One particular observation of Page is that during fashion season 13 different designers opened their shows with their own take on the black suit and white shirt combination, setting the tone for tailoring’s return to the runway. “It was all about traditional suiting that took a cue from men’s tailoring – polished, precise tailoring paired with black tie accessories,” she continued promoted the idea of gender neutrality”. Page also explained that she expects this trend to appeal to both Net-a-Porter and Mr. Porter customers and lead to more crossover shopping. “This vibe felt like a strong indication of the acceptance of women taking inspiration from men’s wardrobes,” she added.
Details also played an important role this season, including throws, tie belts, tights and turtlenecks. Page said they’re a clear departure from the aforementioned casual trends: “This season may have been very clean, but it’s the attention to detail that makes a big impact. The designers showed us interesting styling details and accessories that really bring their collections to life. They showed us new ways of wearing these clothes.”
Net-a-Porter hopes to make this trend easier for its customers with its app’s new “Digital Wardrobe” feature. Through the service, customers can use an outfit builder that allows them to discover new pieces and learn how to combine them with previous purchases. “Once again, we’re showing our customers how to do more with less,” Page concludes.
This translated post previously appeared on FashionUnited.uk.