Everyone is wearing archive fashion, but what is everyone referencing? 

In 2026, vintage fashion is more visible than ever on red carpets and the street. Thrifting used to have a bad reputation. It was seen as low-class and dirty (a sentiment I have heard echoed by Gen Z as well, so this idea has not entirely faded away). In this modern, more eco-conscious society, thrift shopping has become more fashionable. Celebrities have been seen wearing iconic vintage pieces.

Lily-Rose Depp wearing Chanel 1992 Spring Couture at the 2019 MET Gala. 

Dimitrios Kambouris // Getty Images

           At the centre of this trend, on the carpet, is Law Roach, who has built a reputation for worshipping archive fashion. Countless looks on Zendaya and, more recently, Ariana Grande have been archived. Why should new clothing be made when old clothing can be re-appreciated and re-imagined with a modern sensibility? Law has also discussed buying vintage pieces and building a personal archive. His genuine appreciation for artful fashion, the people who came before, and talent for styling have resulted in numerous iconic looks. 

Ariana Grande wears Dior Fall 2007 by John Galliano. 

Frazer Harrison // Vanity Fair

           Perhaps one of the most iconic instances of Law and Zendaya’s passion for archival fashion is the Mugler Gynoid Suit she wore to a Dune Premiere. A genius take on method dressing and re-imagining. 

Daniel Leal // Getty Images

           Another figure who has been massively influential in the popularity of thrifting is Emma Chamberlain. In her early vlogging days, Chamberlain used to post thrift hauls and explain her thoughts behind each piece. This only snowballed into a full-fledged fashion career. For young people, she made buying old clothes cool. It was affordable, with so many options and brands. It was almost like, why not? 

Emma Chamberlain // Youtube

           Second-hand fashion marketplaces like Poshmark, SSENSE, Vinted, and eBay have also led to a boom in thrifting; it can now be done from home! These platforms have created a space for curation. Feeds that tailor listings to your taste, creating an almost addictive quality to online sourcing.

           The rise of Archive fashion has certainly led to greater appreciation for vintage fashion. Law Roach has reinvented the appreciation for archive fashion among passionate students or creatives, but the vernacular of someone who has really delved into the recesses of eBay, a Value Village, or a Thrift Store is very different from that of someone who types in a buzzword and scrolls until they find something cheap. 

Law Roach told Elle Canada in September 2025: “I started collecting around 2007 or 2008… These pieces aren’t just clothing—they’re cultural artifacts that deserve to be preserved and celebrated by people who truly appreciate them.” 

Bella Hadid wears Gucci Fall 1996 by Tom Ford. 

Vittorio Zunino Celotto // Getty Images

           I think the ultimate allure of the archive is that it is (in theory) accessible. Anyone can scroll on Poshmark or SSENSE. Not everyone can afford them, but they can dream about owning a second-hand Birkin or a vintage Dior Slip. People like Law Roach and Emma Chamberlain have certainly put vintage fashion on all of our feeds, but online vintage shopping platforms have cemented the trend (for now).