2025 Trends & Predictions: Maximalist Glam, AI Travel Guides, Rock Music Revival, and the Resurgence of Print Media
From fashion to tech, here are the trends and cultural shifts shaping the year ahead.
What will define 2025? Is it the resurgence of bold, maximalist fashion, the allure of hidden travel gems, or the return of rock music’s raw, rebellious energy?
As the world pivots between digital breakthroughs and a yearning for authenticity, we’re seeing trends that inspire individuality and spark meaningful connections.
In this moment of reinvention and rediscovery, the balance between innovation and nostalgia will shape how we live, dress, and create. From traveling to boutique hotels that feel like home to Old Hollywood glamour reclaiming the spotlight, the year promises to be one of reinvention and rediscovery!
Which of these predictions will resonate with you?
Fashion: Breaking Free from the Trend Cycle
Realistic Dressing: Breaking Free of Core Trends
In 2025, we’re saying goodbye to the endless labeling—Barbiecore, balletcore, cowboycore—and embracing dressing as an extension of our mood. Forget fitting into a box or defining yourself through a specific trend. Let’s leave the trend labels behind and instead focus on what truly resonates—dressing for the mood, the moment, and ourselves.
Maximalism Reigns
With the imminent death of the quiet luxury trend, maximalism is stepping into the spotlight. Think Old Hollywood bombshell looks revived by rising pop stars like Sabrina Carpenter and industry-beloved stars like Zendaya, paired with bold prints, asymmetrical silhouettes, and vibrant textures.
Patches & Upcycling
Patches are no longer a quirky throwback; they’re now a bold statement on everything from jackets to handbags, fueled by the demand for individualism. Upcycled fashion on runways continues to underscore sustainability while showcasing creativity.
Comfort & Playful Nostalgia
Clog shoes are back—clunky yet chic, practical yet playful. Meanwhile, hot pants and animal prints prove that fashion can still have a sense of humor, all while celebrating body confidence. Brands like Miu Miu will continue to be a cult favorite.
Health, Wellness, & Beauty: Holistic Self-Care Meets Glam Revival
Holistic Health Rises
Uncertain times call for grounded practices, and in 2025, holistic healthcare will take center stage as people seek balance for their mind, body, and spirit. Beyond pilates, barre classes, and growing your own food, practices like sound healing, forest bathing, and herbalism will gain traction.
Adaptogens like ashwagandha and reishi, along with gut-friendly foods like kimchi and kombucha, will remain wellness staples. Sleep optimization tools—(think weighted blankets and AI-driven trackers!)—will also rise in popularity as rest becomes a key pillar of health.
Targeted Beauty
Beauty in 2025 is personal— from natural body creams to hyper-specific skincare lines tailored to age and needs. Med spas are taking it a step further with injectable infusions of vitamins like NAD+, glutathione, and B12 for that inside-out glow. However, if you’re considering this route, it’s crucial to ensure that the med spa you choose is properly licensed and regulated, as safety and expertise should never be compromised when it comes to your skin and health.
Speaking of natural body creams, I’ve got the PERFECT product to share with you all—keep an eye on the FT SHOP in the coming weeks for a must-try addition to your routine!
Maximalist Glam
Minimalist makeup is officially taking a backseat in 2025. Glamorous, high-impact looks are making waves, with Pat McGrath’s viral glass skin trend leading the charge. Think luminous, dewy finishes paired with bold eyes and lips.
Hairstyles are also stepping up the drama. Expect a return to voluminous, Old Hollywood-inspired waves that ooze sophistication and timelessness. This resurgence of bold beauty extends to fragrance, where layering scents replace the notion of a single signature fragrance—because why settle for one when you can create a custom olfactory statement???
Lastly, press-on nails are becoming the go-to for luxe, salon-quality looks without the price tag. I mean… DIY if you can. Inflation might be hitting the nail salon, but beauty enthusiasts are finding ways to stay glamorous without breaking the bank.
Inclusivity in Men’s Beauty
Men are stepping up their haircare and skincare routines. Tutorials and inclusive products tailored for men signal a shift toward broader beauty narratives.
Travel: Rediscovering the World, One Hidden Gem at a Time
Personalized Adventures
Travelers in 2025 will veer off the beaten path, exploring hidden gems like Reims instead of Paris or Fukuoka over Tokyo. Expect boutique hotels that feel like cozy homes, generative AI-powered itinerary planning, and fewer Airbnbs as travelers seek reliability.
Hotel Creative Collabs Bring Authenticity to the Forefront
Hotels will be transforming into creative hubs by teaming up with brands, designers, and artists to offer truly unique experiences. These collaborations infuse authenticity and storytelling into travel, turning stays into immersive adventures. One standout example is the highly anticipated opening of Fila House in Shanghai, the world’s first Fila-branded hotel. These innovative partnerships are redefining what it means to feel at home while traveling—where every detail reflects creativity and a sense of place.
Sustainability in Travel
Luxury train journeys such as Switzerland’s Glacier Express are gaining traction as people embrace slow travel. Nature retreats and thrill-seeking excursions cater to those yearning for meaningful and exhilarating experiences.
Cultural Connections
People will travel for special treasures—think handmade trinkets and artisan goods. This shift reflects a desire for tangible memories over fleeting Instagram moments.
Music: Genre-Bending Sounds and Africa in the Spotlight
The Return of Rock
In a world hungry for freedom and raw emotion, rock music will make a powerful comeback. Its rebellious energy and unfiltered creativity resonate with a generation seeking something real and electrifying.
Underground Artists Come on Out!
While mainstream music may feel fleeting to some, underground artists are stepping into the spotlight. Their authenticity and innovative sounds are capturing the attention of listeners eager for deeper connections and genre-defying artistry.
Africa in the Spotlight
The African music scene will continue its global takeover, with artists like Tems, Ayra Starr, and Tyla leading the charge. Expect more genre-blending sounds and global collaborations.
AI Meets Creativity
AI is transforming music composition and live experiences through AR and VR. Yet, fans demand that tech enhances, not replaces, human creativity.
Tech: Digital Evolution Meets Creative Expression
Generative AI
AI will further embed itself into our daily lives, revolutionizing content creation, efficiency, and immersive experiences. In fashion, tech will drive innovation in retail and runway presentations.
AR in Retail
Augmented reality will continue to reshape shopping, allowing consumers to visualize and interact with products before buying—bridging the gap between e-commerce and brick-and-mortar stores.
Digital-Only Fashion Collections
Digital fashion has been transforming the industry, and by 2025, it’s going mainstream. Pioneers like The Fabricant and DressX have been creating virtual garments since the late 2010s, while luxury brands like Gucci and Balenciaga entered the space with virtual sneakers and metaverse collaborations. Events like Metaverse Fashion Week in 2022 showcased the potential of virtual runways and digital-only collections.
In 2025, the demand for digital fashion is surging. Brands are launching exclusive digital collections for gaming, avatars, and NFTs, blending self-expression with sustainability by eliminating physical waste.
Marketing & Media: Nostalgia Meets New-Age Storytelling
Print Revival
Despite tech’s evolution, there’s growing resistance to over-digitization. People crave authentic, tactile experiences that tech cannot replicate—a segue into print and handcrafted art. Nostalgia, tangibility, and authenticity are driving this renaissance. Expect zines, magazines, newspapers, and coffee table books to make a bold statement.
Community-Led Media
Brands are leaning on creator communities and platforms like Substack to foster authentic relationships. Independent writers are thriving, offering fresh perspectives that cut through legacy media noise.
Micro-Influencers Over Mega-Influencers
In the same spirit, the power is shifting to micro-influencers who foster deeper trust and engagement with smaller, niche audiences. Their authenticity resonates more with consumers, making them a go-to for brands looking for genuine partnerships.
Audio Renaissance
Podcasts and audio content are booming as people embrace screen-free ways to consume media. Niche podcasts and audio-first storytelling formats are thriving, creating new opportunities for brand collaborations.
Interactive & Gamified Ads
Gamification is reshaping advertising, with brands incorporating quizzes, AR challenges, or mini-games into their campaigns to keep audiences engaged. Interactive ads will thrive, especially as consumers seek active participation over passive viewing.
Decentralized Media Platforms
As digital fatigue grows, consumers are turning to smaller, decentralized platforms where they can find more niche and community-driven content. These platforms operate without a single authority, empowering creators to own their content and revenue streams. For example, Mirror lets writers mint their articles as NFTs and crowdfund directly from readers.
Literature: Escaping Reality Through Words
Poetry Reimagined
Poetry will thrive as a medium for self-expression, particularly among younger audiences who seek connection through vulnerability and honesty.
Escapist Fiction
With global tensions high, people will turn to fiction that offers an escape, transporting them to fantastical worlds or compelling historical narratives. I’m currently reading I'll Take Manhattan and it’s a great distraction from my overly busy schedule!
In 2025, the blending of innovation and nostalgia will transform how we connect with the world. I’m excited to see how these trends shape our lives—what are some of your predictions for the year?
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