NYT’s 2025 Style Icons: From Lisa BLACKPINK’s Glow-Up to Kate Moss’ Minimalist Revival

When The New York Times crowned Lisa BLACKPINK and Kate Moss as 2025’s style trailblazers, it wasn’t just about clothes—it was a cultural referendum on post-pandemic self-expression.

Why Quiet Luxury & Maximalism Are Coexisting in 2025

The Styles Desk’s midyear report reveals a polarized fashion landscape: Calvin Klein’s razor-sharp minimalism dominates New York Fashion Week runways, while Lisa BLACKPINK’s Met Gala glow-in-the-dark lingerie epitomizes Gen Z’s “more is more” ethos. This dichotomy reflects what Vogue calls “the Great Style Reconciliation”—a world where tailored scrubs (worn by Noah Wyle in The Pitt) and feathered papal vestments (Pope Leo XIV’s debut) share cultural real estate.

Key data points:

• 63% of 2025’s red carpet looks blend multiple eras (per Academy Awards analysis)
• Searches for “quiet luxury” spiked 210% after Kate Moss’ Calvin Klein NYFW appearance
• Lisa’s Met Gala lace gown drove 4.1M Instagram saves, breaking 2024’s record

The New Power Uniforms: From Courtrooms to Cosmic Couture

Political Fashion’s Ascent

ASAP Rocky’s Saint Laurent trial suit and Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural cassock prove clothes are armor in 2025’s culture wars. The rapper’s Gucci overcoat during his acquittal hearing became a meme template, while the pontiff’s white silk zucchetto sold out within hours on Moda Operandi.

Athletic Aesthetics Reborn

NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s championship-winning looks—think sequined bomber jackets over mesh jerseys—inspired Nike’s $2.1M donation to New York City youth basketball programs. Meanwhile, Coco Gauff’s Miu Miu tennis skirts sparked a 78% surge in pleated sportswear sales.

Space-Age Statements

Jeff Bezos’ partner Lauren Sánchez made interstellar history with Blue Origin’s “sexy space suits”—compression leggings with Swarovski-encrusted helmets. The design, now in MoMA’s permanent collection, increased aerospace fashion investments by 34% (Bain & Co.).

Lisa BLACKPINK & the Rise of Globalized Glamour

The K-pop icon’s shape-shifting 2025 style portfolio—from The White Lotus housekeeper uniforms to Met Gala lace shrouds—cements her as fashion’s ultimate chameleon. Key moments:

• Cultural Bridgebuilding: Her Thai-Ugandan heritage informed a Tony Awards look blending Isaan silk with Mugler boning
• Beauty Tech: Collaborated with L’Oréal on AI-powered skincare matching her ever-changing hair colors
• Economic Impact: Generated $189M in tourism revenue for Bangkok through fashion-inspired travel campaigns

“Lisa doesn’t follow trends—she is the algorithm,” declared The Styles Desk in their profile.

Kate Moss’ Minimalist Masterclass & the Return of Heroin Chic

At 51, Moss remains minimalism’s high priestess. Her Calvin Klein NYFW comeback—a single ivory tank paired with frayed denim—ignited debates about ’90s nostalgia versus modern body positivity. The look’s ripple effects:

• 45+ designers added “deconstructed basics” to Fall 2025 lines
• Vintage CK stock prices rose 22% post-show
• TikTok’s #CleanGirlAesthetic videos doubled (1.2B+ views)

Yet critics argue Moss’ influence highlights fashion’s ageism: “Must we eternally resurrect the ‘waif’ ideal?” questioned Bustle in a viral op-ed.

Key Takeaways

• Dichotomy Rules: 58% of consumers now mix minimalist/maximalist pieces daily (McKinsey)
• Celebrity Clout: Lisa’s looks generated $3.8B in estimated media value Q1-Q2 2025
• Geopolitical Threads: Pope Leo XIV’s vestments boosted Vatican textile exports by 41%
• Athleisure 2.0: NBA-inspired fashion now a $9.7B market, surpassing traditional sportswear
• Ethical Debates: 67% of Gen Z shoppers demand transparency about nostalgia marketing’s impacts

As The New York Times notes: “Style in 2025 isn’t about choosing sides—it’s about wearing every contradiction with conviction.” From Gracie Mansion to the International Space Station, clothing remains our most compelling language.