I came at New York Fashion Week with a sense of real anticipation—almost a tingling in the air that was the autumn mix of sharpness and an electric buzz of creativity filling fashion’s favorite city. I was backstage at a celebrated boutique runway show, and if there’s an energy that exceeds the normal buzz backstage at any show (well, maybe not backstage at a Thom Browne show, but you get the idea), this was it. It was about the glimmer of sequins or the silhouettes that might as well have been momentarily suspended between finishing touches.
But, really, it felt like it was all about something more, something that had a return-to-style presence—which was the potential next chapter of my own identity, too. To step into the realm of boho chic is to enter a secret garden hidden in plain sight. The look is all about finding beauty in the imperfect: hand-stitched embroidery set against sleek modern lines, earthy tones mixed up with bursts of the unexpected.
Yet, somehow, it all works. My favorite piece came from an emerging designer whose collection I caught at a truly Brooklyn pop-up event in downtown Brooklyn. The collection had flowing maxi dresses, intricately patterned scarves, and denim jackets that had been lovingly reworked with artisanal details.
It was a beautiful moment—a reminder that sustainability and style can coexist and even thrive together. The way I see it, the world is pretty much always filtered through the moody skies and lush landscapes of Seattle. I wouldn’t change that for anything.
I like to think that growing up here has imbued me with some appreciation for the textures and layers that tell a story. That’s why the 2023 NYFW feels so much like a call to arms, as it serves entrée after entrée of nerve and pizzazz, blending natural fibers with urban cut silhouettes. Hard not to take notice, really, when you’re catching up over coffee at La Colombe with a fellow stylist and, quite literally, bumping into an outfit that speaks the same kind of volumes as the one aforementioned: a harmonious blend of vintage denim, “flowy printed skirts,” and “handmade accessories.” Capiche?
The bohemian chic influence has long been a steady presence in celebrity circles. It’s fun to see artists and influencers interpreting the trend today. At the recent Met Gala, for instance, when the red carpet was mostly crowded with neoclassic, almost Gothic opulence, there was an undercurrent of layered looks, of rustic but not overtly so, textural ensembles.
I mean, we’re not talking ’60s Earth Mother vibes. We’re talking a more current, versatile nod to bohemian looks. If anything, this Met Gala was super confusing, aesthetically, for bohemian chic, which traditionally (and malevolently, in my opinion) has long been tagged as synonymous with a sort of low-budget, patchouli-scented look.
And while that part of the aesthetic has largely faded, a more current, versatile nod to bohemian looks is emerging in its place. The boho chic style possesses a storytelling quality that makes it more than just a passing trend. As someone who has spent hours in the Los Angeles vintage market, searching for soul and history, I know that not every garment has what it takes to tell a story or to carry you into a fashion future.
Yet, I can’t help but regard “the moment” as kind of a personal narrative. I think of my first real festival moment, which happened in 2012 at the Tabernacle in Atlanta. I was in the front row watching the Tallest Man on Earth, and the next night I sat on a blanket in Piedmont Park, very much a part of the kind of sun-drenched nonsense that I associate with “the moment.”
What is most compelling about this aesthetic is its democratic nature.
It welcomes everybody—from the minimalist who prefers clean, modern lines accented with a subtle boho twist, to the maximalist who revels in layers of textures and patterns. In my own wardrobe, I’ve embraced this duality by pairing a simple, organic, cotton tee from a local Seattle brand with a flowy, hand-printed skirt that I picked up at a pop-up in Capitol Hill. This blend of simplicity and intricate detail feels metaphorical for our times: a reminder that while our world is rapidly evolving, the core values of authenticity and environmental mindfulness remain steadfast.
A recent street style event I attended in downtown Chicago showcased an enthralling fusion of boho and contemporary style. What I observed was an effortless yet meticulous look—think oversized, handwoven scarves paired with sharply tailored blazers and rugged leather boots. The influencer donning this look shared her excitement about discovering the local artisans who make these pieces, which she touted as environmentally sustainable and, frankly, just plain stylish.
Conversations had by these young women (who seem to me to be the most loyal and keen followers of this kind of look) underscore a major storyline shift for our industry. It’s thrilling to see the fashion industry embracing a movement toward celebrating diversity in appearance and the individual histories that inform each garment. I sometimes take an opportunity to think about all the ways we’ve moved past the fast-fashion days of yore, where the most we could hope for was a bunch of zippers and perhaps some well-placed pleats.
These days, the boho-chic look is winning the style race by a mile, thanks to its authenticity, its artistry, and the feel-good factor of knowing that all the brands we’re supporting have made a conscious choice to value ethical practices. My travels in the land of boho chic have taken me to style’s and lifestyle’s intersections. A recent collaboration between a famous eco-friendly label and a celebrity who’s all about grassroots activism brought to light just how fundamentally intertwined our identities are with the “look.” The collection, shown in a series of Instagram stories that felt like visual poetry (as opposed to just another fashion promo), struck a chord with my beliefs.
It’s about creating a space in which our forays into “fashion” are just that—our forays. Fashion’s not something that’s done to us; it’s something we do when we put on the next layer. One unforgettable evening at a rooftop gathering in Los Angeles, I scratched and clawed my way into a world of designers, influencers, and artists who are reshaping the fashion narrative.
I joined the conversations, and they joined my story, as the night flowed as freely as the champagne. The vibe was distinctly boho chic. Yet, in a movement that seems so California in its sunny optimism, there’s something else a part of this scene embodies.
It’s a handful of eco-concerns that were nonexistent only a few short years ago. Those eco concerns are influencing not just what we wear, but also what we are and become. This isn’t just a trend—it’s an idea revolution.
The modern boho chic has gone well beyond its roots in the counterculture of the 1960s and ’70s. Today, it stands as a style that the new generation of fashion lovers seems to hold in high regard. These fervent followers have made boho chic something of a holy grail, and why not?
The look is an alchemy of old and new, something that could just as easily be called history, heritage, or cultural respect. And it’s not just a New York thing; as I walk down the streets of Seattle or the avenues of Brooklyn, I see countless examples of how this style is living and breathing. In a world where fashion can often seem fast-paced and fleeting, boho chic offers a grounding element—an opportunity to consider what it means to dress with intention.
It gives us space to recognize and appreciate the meticulous artistry and craftsmanship that go into creating our garments, not to mention the artistry behind the creation of our personal styles. Basement thrift stores or gilt-edged motels may not seem like the most likely venues for a night of fashion worship, but every moment spent in either space is really a celebration of the essence of that most idiosyncratic of aesthetics: boho chic. With gratitude, I look back on these experiences and feel honored to be a part of this ever-changing narrative.
Fashion is not just about what we wear; it is a bigger thing than that. It has the power to inspire, to challenge, and to transform our lives—everyday lives that we now believe can be lived well and, more importantly, sustainably. As a Fashion Design student, I constantly feel nudged by the narrative of this industry.
I have come to see that with every new collection, with every innovative design, we are reminded that ‘style’ really is about something more than just the surface. We are living in a life where everyday choices are loaded with the good kind of tension.
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