FASHION'S RENAISSANCE

Archival fashion is having a moment, one defined by exclusivity, celebrity influence, and a media-driven frenzy for timeless pieces

- Pratiksha Acharya

I always have backup options when I'm dressing for any global event. Even for the Met Gala, I had a Plan B outfit, in case the first one didn't work out. When I didn't wear the backup look, I knew I had to set it aside for something like the British Fashion Awards," says Mona Patel as she sits and chats with us about the entrepreneur and philanthropist's sartorial choices. 2024 was the year of "Haute Mona" (her self-fashioned moniker) as she ascended the steps of the Met in a custom Iris van Herpen kinetic piece that had the internet in a chokehold. That, however, was just the beginning. Patel has quickly found herself in every best-dressed list, thanks to her love for fashion, and the blessing of her stylist and fairy godmother Law Roach.

When the British Fashion Awards rolled in last month, we finally got a glimpse at the Plan B outfit, which didn't make it to the Met. A one-of-a-kind off-shoulder corset crafted with metallic silk taffeta and embellished with handsewn Swarovski crystals from Christian Lacroix's 1996 Haute Couture collection. A true collector's piece, the outfit was sold for an eye-watering 1.43 crore at an auction with Patel making the winning bid. As she sat twirling a quail-egg sized diamond perched on a slim band on her finger, it was obvious that when you have that kind of buying power, you can make museum pieces a part of your regular wardrobe with just a snap of your finger. But it's not just limited to buyers alone. Look around and you will find a sudden revival of archival everywhere, right from the red carpet to the thrift store near you, everyone has been bitten by the vintage bug.

WHAT'S OLD IS NEW AGAIN