From Box Logos to Chainmail: The Rise of Fantasy Fashion in 2025

The internet has been flooded with fit-pics and lookbooks incorporating high fashion with high fantasy and shows no signs of stopping any time soon. This phenomenon, whilst getting all the limelight it deserves, seemingly came out of nowhere. But just as water runs downhill, so do trends, especially in fashion. So how do we go from box logos and AF1s to chainmail and iron boots?

Morgoth Armoured (Digital Art, Warlockman28, Middle-Earth Film Sage Wiki).

Fantasy as a genre has dominated mainstream entertainment for years but the influences of its spell-binding imagery spans far beyond the big screen. From medieval inspired silhouettes on runways to the vampiric domination of contemporary streetwear, the line between costume and outfit has blurred.

Our fascination with high fantasy can be traced back centuries with examples dating as far back as the Epic of Gilgamesh.[1] J.R.R. Tolkien, one of the most popular authors of modern-day fantasy created an empire with The Lord of The Rings saga and the movie adaptations that followed.[2] Characters crafted by Tolkien like Morgoth[3] and the movie adaptations of Sauron[4] and the Witch King of Angmar[5] are perfect examples of the dark artistry behind character design that has changed the way we dress.

Burberry Erry for Kim Krueger (Photo, @6kim6krueger6, Instagram).

As much as some like to clown on the “Opium” trend, there is no denying that the celebrities pioneering the style have not influenced the fashion industry.[6] It has been fascinating to watch the stylistic evolution of the rappers at the epicentre of opium-core like Playboi Carti[7] and Destroy Lonely.[8] What started out as a monochrome approach to the “hair metal” aesthetic of KISS[9] and Mötley Crüe[10] slowly evolved into the edgy look resembling a DC super villain.[11] Built on a foundation of tarnished metals, black leather and exaggerated silhouettes, it’s no wonder brands like Balenciaga,[12] Rick Owens[13] and Chrome Hearts[14] steal the spotlight. 

In a fast paced, digital age the need to “one-up” the next person has its benefits on innovation. Following the virality of the “Opium” trend in late 2023 to early 2024, the focus on heavy materials, quality craftsmanship and menacing silhouettes has continued to develop into the rise of “armour-core”. High fashion brands have been catering to the obsessions of black and chrome for years, but each recent collection seems to be travelling further and further down the path of Mordor.

 
Fall21 Look 39, Look 40 (Photo, BALENCIAGA, BALENCIAGA).

Some of our favourite examples of this trend come from well established labels and up and comers in the underground fashion scene. In 2021 Balenciaga broke the internet with their “Chevalier” armoured boots and matching gloves.[15] Chrome hearts and Rick Owens continue to soar in popularity as their pre-established aesthetics blend perfectly with the trend of fantasy.[16]

Left: Horn Heroes Medieval Collection (Photo, @hornheroes, Instagram).
Right: Soldered Red Casio (Video, @kaleidoxjewelry_official, Instagram).

But it’s not just big brands capitalising on these trends. While the main players will always bend to popular opinion, smaller brands are always the catalysts for change. Brands like KALEIDOXJEWELRY[17] and Horn Heroes[18] are perfect examples of labels whose brand identities perfectly embody this phenomenon. KALEIDOXJEWELRY perfectly capture the brutalist spiked aesthetic of characters like the Mouth of Sauron with their custom soldered watches.[19] Whereas Horn Heroes have made it their mission to find the perfect blend of high fantasy armour and athleisure crafting beautifully constructed, plated armour out of modern materials like fleece and denim.[20] When it comes to the contemporary and avant-garde, Kai Ghattaura is unmatched at bringing the big screen to the runway.[21] Crafting biblically accurate, medieval inspired silhouettes with rugged materials and mossy textures along with scythes and swords worn as accessories for his looks.[22] The innovation brought by the “wearable weapons” and attention to detail down to prosthetic brandings put onto the models lands this designer at the top of our watch list for next to break into main-stream popularity.[23]

 
Left: Look 6 - Billion Happy (Photo, @kaighattaura, Instagram).
Middle: Fittings with @luxgillespie (Photo, @kaighattaura, Instagram).
Right: Look 1 - Thrilliam Angels (Photo, @kaighattaura, Instagram).

As we look towards the future, the intersection of high fashion and high fantasy shows no signs of fading into the shadows. Instead, it’s evolving into something more refined and accessible. The influence has transcended beyond mere aesthetic appreciation… it’s become a form of self expression that allows individuals to embody the power and mystique found in fantasy worlds in a way that is more refined and mature than a LOTR graphic tee from JayJay’s.

The question isn’t whether this trend will continue, but rather, how it will evolve next. As designers and creatives continue to innovate and explore the scope of dark romanticism, we might see an even more seamless blend of fantasy elements in everyday wear. The line between costume and couture continues to blur, and in this convergence, we’re discovering new ways to express the mysterious, the powerful and the fantastic.