The comeback we’ve been waiting for—maximalism
More is more, and we can’t get enough!
Fashion is grabbing a bouquet of white lilies and laying it on the grave of neutrals, monochromes, and quiet fashion. Move over, stealth wealth—2025 is the year maximalism stages a comeback, and it's about time too!
Though HBO’s Succession aired its final episode in 2023, the series left behind a legacy that rocked the world with its minimalist dressing and an upmarket style that touts the under-the-radar refinement of the premium labels favoured by the generationally wealthy (read: Brunello Cucinelli, The Row, and of course, Loro Piana). But the other shoe has finally dropped, and no, it’s not a Tom Ford loafer. At the end of the spectrum, we see maximalism—eccentric, exuberant, loud. Perhaps it caters to everything we missed out on during the pandemic, a sartorial equivalent to ‘flipping off’ the sweatpants era of the lockdown and the sleek style of recent years.
Sabyasachi’s 25th anniversary show is a testament to the power of maximalism. In fact, each seat at the show was graced with a note that read, “My grandmothers had a profound influence on me. Both exceptional women, they were the antithesis of each other. One taught me the power of minimalism, while the other showed me the dominance of maximalism.” And it was maximalism that reigned supreme that evening—from opulent fine jewels, embroidered bags, and studded headbands, to bomber jackets with zardozi, t-shirts with velvet appliques, and faux fur trimmed midi skirts.
This year, more is more, and we’re not complaining. Jeremy Strong’s sea green Golden Globes ensemble is sign enough that lowkey Loro Piana baseball caps are being replaced with eye-catching coloured bucket hats! From bejeweled clothing, stacked jewellery, and mixed textures, the only rule is that there are no rules. So ransack the backs of your closets and pull out the lately neglected bold prints, loud textures, and the over-the-top layered necklaces!
Designers are creating incredibly dramatic work and unhinged, out-there silhouettes. Louis Vuitton’s recent collaboration with Japanese artist Takashi Murakami strongly plays into this trend. Marni, Balmain, and Rick Owens are just some of the many names who embraced this change with their SS25 collections. Simone Rocha even managed to put a maximal-chic spin on Crocs with her collaboration! Pharell’s menswear collection was all about logomania and bag charms (did someone say “chaotic customization”?). Dolce & Gabbana and Prada’s menswear collections at Paris Fashion Week Menswear A/W25 exhibited maximalist tendencies as well. However, one cannot talk about modern-day maximalism without talking about Daniel Rosenberry’s recent Schiaparelli show at the Paris Haute Couture Week. His work continues to honour Elsa Schiaparelli’s surrealist vision, all while staying relevant, using unusual proportions, and even Elsa's famous patterns.
The recent Paris and Milan runway shows made a particularly strong case for the aesthetic. From Alessandro Michelle’s debut collection at Valentino, which featured a mix of retro styles like bejeweled headpieces, turbans, faux fur trims, and tulle veils, to Balmain’s motif-decorated pieces and super elevated power shoulders. Louis Vuitton was no exception; the clothes played with prints and symmetry while the approach to accessories was big and bold as well. Multiple layers of oversized necklaces, shoes boasting feather embellishments, and doubled-up handbags shone.
In India, a name synonymous with the concept of maximalism is Sabyasachi Mukherjee. It’s not just his retro-revivalist clothes, but everything he touches. From his elaborate collection of fine and heritage jewellery, to his over-the-top stores in Mumbai and New York City, right down to his collaboration with Estee Lauder that transformed a simple bullet lipstick into a collectable item. In a recent interview with journalist Namrata Zakaria, he said, “This (India) is such an exuberant country. I don’t understand why we even want to do minimalism in this country.” Last week, for 25th anniversary show, the fashion giant brought together Deepika Padukone and Christy Turlington clad in layers and layers of Sabyasachi fine jewellery. Other stalwart couturiers have been championing the cause for maximalism globally as well. Rahul Mishra with his all-over and never-enough intricate embroideries and Gaurav Gupta with his eye-catching structured silhouettes, for instance.
"Maximalism, for me, is not just about boldness, it's about storytelling through design. In 2025, as the world craves individuality and artistic expression, maximalism feels like a natural evolution”, says Gupta. “It’s a celebration of craftsmanship, where every detail matters, and where fashion becomes a canvas for emotions and identity. Structured silhouettes and avant-garde forms have always been at the heart of our design philosophy, and they resonate strongly in this era of unapologetic grandeur,” he adds. The designer’s stellar showcase at Paris Haute Couture Week certainly proved this point.
pero’s collaboration with Hello Kitty was all about more. The label’s F/W24 collection titled ‘Hubllabaloove’ showcased at Lakme Fashion Week last fall, solidified the same OTT ethos. "I believe maximalism isn’t something that’s making a comeback—it has always been a part of our identity, especially in India, where rich, layered aesthetics define our cultural heritage. From intricate weaves to vibrant colours, India has always been a testament to maximalism,” says Aneeth Arora, founder and designer at péro. “At péro, maximalism is not about loudness—it’s about the process. It’s in the variations we create, the extensive research that shapes each season, and the constant explorations we undertake throughout the year. It’s reflected in the intricate handwork, the layers of craftsmanship, and the thoughtful details that make each piece unique. Even if the final garment whispers quiet luxury, it’s the maximal effort and storytelling in its creation that truly define it. For us, it’s a balance—a maximalist approach to crafting quiet luxury. The product might not be loud, but it speaks volumes about the rigour, passion, and process behind its making,” he adds.
In fact, Indian festive and wedding wear has always been all about maximalism—from heavy elaborate lehengas to ornately embroidered sherwanis. "Maximalism is at the heart of our design philosophy. More is always more. More detail, more intricacy, more refinement. It's not a trend for us, but a continuous evolution,” says designer duo Abu Jani & Sandeep Khosla. “While others may seek a revival, for us, it’s an ongoing renaissance. We’re forever perfecting our passion for the most intricate, layered couture. This is a return to joy, a renewed celebration of pure artistic expression, unapologetically pursuing the fullest expression of imagination. To be bold, extravagant, and exuberant once again,” they add.
In an era where minimalism has long shaped the fashion landscape, a bold new wave led by Gen Z is breaking free from fashion’s homogenisation. Guided by eclecticism and an urge for self-expression, chaotic dressing is bubbling up on social media and winning over Gen Z. The hashtags #maximalistfashion and #dopaminedressing (a term referring to colourful and happy clothes) have accrued more than 221 million views on TikTok. At its core, the trend is all about upping your colour, pattern, and accessory game. Over-the-top embellishments and personalisation will be big for young consumers in 2025 as they reject fashion moulds and conventionality.
We’re expecting to see a lot of layered embellishments that celebrate uniqueness and embrace self-expression in its most unrestrained forms. Bags are decorated with bag charms, keychains, and sometimes even smaller bags. Accessories are meant to serve as conversation starters—sequins and metallics are all the rage, mixing metals, colour palettes, and textures is in.
Essentially, this surge in maximalism comes from a desire to live freely, without worrying about “the rules”. It’s about dressing for ourselves, wearing what makes us happy, and giving a big, bejeweled finger to what others think. There’s a definite sense of joy in wearing the unpredictably weird. The verdict is in: more is more is more is…
Feature image credit: pero, Sunhil Sippy, Getty Images
Also read: Sabyasachi celebrates 25 years: "It’s an aspiration that belongs to India," says the designer