Diving Deep Into “The Rabbit Hole”
A fashion resurrection of “The Matrix”
Written by Nina Crull, Contributing Writer
“The Matrix is everywhere. It is all around us. Even now in this very room,”
There’s something about “The Matrix” that always keeps fans coming back for more. In its time, there were no other movies quite like it. The end of the world saga was not too far-fetched and gave viewers the freedom of questioning their own reality. The red pill to unmasking reality was something you yearned for, the rooftop battle scenes were unforgettable and the fashion was revolutionary.
In 1999, movies such as “Runaway Bride,” “Never Been Kissed” and “10 Things I Hate About You” were all the rage. You could not watch a rom-com without seeing loud colors, short skirts, and of course, a cringe prom dress here and there. But in March 1999, “The Matrix” threw its own style into the mix. The “girl next door” look was replaced by a cyberpunk aesthetic fit for a post-apocalyptic reality. The full leather costumes and slicked-back hair gave characters a powerful persona that viewers wanted to translate into their own lives; it can still be seen influencing styles today, everywhere from the clean girl aesthetic to streetwear.
You can admit it, we’ve all tried the slicked-back ponytail once in our lives, thinking we look like a baddie but end up looking bald. The only person who can truly pull it off is Carrie-Anne Moss, the unsung star of “The Matrix.” She and designer Kim Barrett created an effortless ensemble that exuded confidence and fierceness (Wachowski, 1999). It shapes the way we think superheroes should dress; they don’t need capes and logos to portray strength and authority. All they need are practical fighting clothes and a floor-length leather coat blowing in the wind.
Nowadays, you can’t walk a mile without seeing a pair of leather pants. It seems like every college girl has one hidden in their closet ready to be worn on a moment's notice, and we have“The Matrix” to thank for that. But it wouldn’t be carried out to the extreme without help from influences such as Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber and Selena Gomez. These women seem to be the spokespeople for the “clean girl aesthetic.” The slicked-back ponytails, nonchalant matching leather sets and tiny black glasses seen in streetwear are essentially just everyday Matrix attire. But that’s the fun of it, you get the freedom to choose your persona for the day, just like Neo did when entering the Matrix.
It’s easy to remember the sleek and futuristic looks of the simulation, but what happens when the characters wake up? The bleak, muted sweats and oversized sweaters are meant to represent the harsh and fatal conditions the characters are facing. There’s not a lot of time to pick out your outfit when waking up from an alien invasion, even hand-me-downs are a luxury. That’s what makes the concept of the Matrix, an alternate reality, so desirable. You can finally be the best version of yourself, and that means rocking skin-tight leathers and combat boots with no regrets.
After the movie was released, many famous designers took matters into their own hands. Christian Dior’s entire Ready to Wear Fall 1999 show was inspired by “The Matrix” and was John Galliano’s interpretation of a romantic dystopia (Borrelli-Persson, 1999). The collection featured an assortment of unearthly cuts and styles, that some would say replicated evil. But Galliano’s use of gothic leathers and futuristic references is undoubtedly “The Matrix.”
Many more campaigns have drawn inspiration from the movie and will continue to for years to come. After the release of the latest installment to the series in 2021, “The Matrix Resurrections,” everyday leather was back. Leave it up to Gen Z to use this as an opportunity to create some of the most elaborate Matrix Halloween costumes that rival Kim Berret’s compositions. Ever since 1999, “The Matrix” has been deemed a classic, and its legacy lives on in the essence of every combat boot, leather trench coat and slicked-back hairstyle. There truly is no limit when designing for the future, so let’s see “how deep the rabbit hole goes,” (Wachowski, 1999). Just don’t forget your tiny sunglasses!
Sources:
Borrelli-Persson, L. (1999, July 19). Christian Dior Fall 1999 Couture Collection. Vogue.
Wachowski, L., Wachowski, L. (1999). The Matrix. [Film]. Warner Bros.