English Learning: Fashion Weeks 2025 Highlights

Dialogue

Alice: Bob, did you catch any of the Fashion Weeks 2025 highlights? The stuff from Paris was wild!

Bob: Alice, I saw a few clips. I’m still trying to figure out if that one designer was actually sending models down the runway in inflatable hamster balls or if I just dreamed it.

Alice: (Laughing) Oh, you mean ‘The Orb Collection’? That was actually supposed to represent personal space in a crowded world! A bold statement, right?

Bob: A bold and impractical statement. I can barely walk in regular shoes, let alone a giant transparent bubble. What about Milan? Any wearable trends there?

Alice: Milan had some amazing sustainable tech-fabrics, really pushing the boundaries of eco-fashion. But then London came along with outfits made entirely of recycled chewing gum wrappers.

Bob: Chewing gum wrappers? Seriously? I hope they disinfected them first. That sounds… sticky.

Alice: It looked sticky. But the designer said it was ‘upcycled urban grit.’ I thought it was pretty out-there, even for London.

Bob: “Upcycled urban grit.” I’m writing that down for my next excuse not to clean my apartment. So, any actual clothes for humans? Or just performance art?

Alice: Well, New York showed a lot of futuristic casual wear – think sleek silver jumpsuits and holographic sneakers. Pretty cool, actually. You could rock a holographic sneaker, Bob!

Bob: I might rock a holographic sneaker if it came with a self-tying feature. But those jumpsuits? I prefer my clothes to not make me look like I’m about to launch into orbit.

Alice: You’re such a traditionalist! But seriously, the focus on AI-generated patterns was fascinating. Some of the prints totally blew my mind.

Bob: AI designing clothes… next thing you know, robots will be judging the fashion shows. Although, a robot judge might have been less confused by the chewing gum outfits.

Alice: True! But it’s exciting to see how much innovation is happening. Maybe we’ll all be wearing climate-responsive outfits soon.

Bob: As long as they don’t involve actual chewing gum. I just hope someone designs a pocket big enough for my phone and my snacks. Now that would be a highlight.

Alice: (Shakes her head, smiling) You always bring it back to snacks, Bob. But you’re right, practicality might be the ultimate luxury.

Current Situation

Fashion Weeks 2025 are eagerly anticipated global events that set the stage for upcoming trends, styles, and innovations in the fashion industry. While the exact highlights for 2025 are still speculative, the overarching themes expected to dominate include a strong emphasis on sustainability, the integration of cutting-edge technology, and a continued push for inclusivity and diversity. Major cities like New York, London, Milan, and Paris will host designers showcasing their Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter collections.

We can expect to see a blend of traditional craftsmanship with futuristic materials, AI-generated designs, and augmented reality experiences. Comfort and versatility are also likely to remain key considerations, even amidst the most avant-garde presentations, as designers balance aspirational aesthetics with consumer demand for wearable and eco-conscious clothing. From bold statements to subtle shifts, Fashion Weeks 2025 promise to be a fascinating glimpse into the future of style.

Key Phrases

• wild stuff: Unusual, exciting, or extreme things.

  Example: “The concert had some really wild stuff happening on stage, like acrobats flying through the air.”

• figure out: To understand or solve something.

  Example: “I’m trying to figure out how to assemble this new furniture.”

• bold statement: Something said or done in a confident and striking way, often challenging norms.

  Example: “Her red dress was a bold statement at the usually conservative event.”

• pushing the boundaries: Extending the limits of what is considered normal or possible.

  Example: “That artist is always pushing the boundaries with their experimental work.”

• out-there: Very unusual, unconventional, or extreme.

  Example: “His ideas for the new marketing campaign were a bit out-there, but very creative.”

• upcycled urban grit: (Context-specific, generally refers to reusing waste material from city life to create something new and valuable.)

  Example: “The designer created an entire collection using upcycled urban grit found in forgotten alleyways.”

• rock (something): To wear or carry something with confidence and style.

  Example: “She can totally rock that vintage leather jacket.”

• blew my mind: To be extremely impressed or overwhelmed by something.

  Example: “The special effects in that movie blew my mind.”

• onto something: To have discovered an important idea or fact.

  Example: “I think the scientists are onto something big with their new discovery.”

• keep an eye out for: To look carefully for someone or something.

  Example: “Please keep an eye out for my package; it should arrive today.”

• traditionalist: A person who respects and often prefers traditional customs and practices.

  Example: “My grandfather is a traditionalist when it comes to holiday meals; he insists on the same recipes every year.”

• ultimate luxury: The highest degree of comfort, elegance, or expensive living.

  Example: “For busy parents, a few hours of uninterrupted sleep can feel like the ultimate luxury.”

Grammar Points

1. Present Perfect Tense for Recent Events

The present perfect tense is used to talk about actions or situations that happened at an unspecified time before now, or that started in the past and continue to the present. It often implies a connection to the present.

• Structure: Subject + have/has + past participle
• Example from dialogue: Have you caught any of the Fashion Weeks…? (Asking about a recent experience.)
• More examples:
  • “I have visited Paris Fashion Week before.” (Experience in the past, relevant now.)
  • “The designer has pushed boundaries with their new collection.” (Recent action with a present result.)

2. Modal Verbs for Speculation and Opinion

Modal verbs like could, might, and must are often used to express possibility, probability, or strong deduction. Should can be used for advice or expectation.

• Could / Might: Express possibility or uncertainty.

  Example from dialogue: “You could rock a holographic sneaker, Bob!” (Possibility/suggestion) “I might rock a holographic sneaker…” (Possibility/condition)

  More examples: “It could be a new trend.” “They might be onto something big.”

• Must: Express strong deduction or certainty based on evidence.

  Example: “That must have been difficult to wear.” (Strong deduction about a past event.)

  More examples: “She must be a famous designer to have such an extravagant show.”

• Should: Express advice, recommendation, or expectation.

  Example: “You should really check out that exhibition.” (Recommendation)

3. Expressing Opinions and Reactions

There are many ways to communicate what you think or how you feel about something.

• Using descriptive adjectives:

  Examples from dialogue: “The stuff from Paris was wild!” “It looked sticky.” “Pretty out-there.” “Pretty cool.”

• Using verbs of thought/feeling:

  Examples from dialogue: “I’m still trying to figure out…”, “I thought it was…”, “I prefer my clothes to not…”

• Using idiomatic expressions:

  Examples from dialogue: “A bold statement.” “Totally blew my mind.”

• More examples: “I think the new collection is absolutely fantastic.” “That outfit looked ridiculous to me.”

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using the correct form of a key phrase from the list provided. (wild stuff, figure out, bold statement, pushing the boundaries, out-there, rock, blew my mind, onto something, keep an eye out for)

1. The architect is always __________ with their innovative building designs.
2. I need to __________ how to get to the exhibition before it starts.
3. Wearing bright pink to a black-tie event was a truly __________.
4. The new virtual reality fashion show totally __________ with its stunning graphics.
5. If you want something a bit more __________, try that boutique around the corner.
6. She can really __________ that vintage leather jumpsuit.
7. The art installation had some really __________ that I’d never seen before.
8. I think the designers are __________ with their sustainable materials.
9. You should __________ their next collection; it’s supposed to be revolutionary.

Answers

1. pushing the boundaries
2. figure out
3. bold statement
4. blew my mind
5. out-there
6. rock
7. wild stuff
8. onto something
9. keep an eye out for

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Modal Verb

Choose the most appropriate modal verb (could, might, must, should) to complete each sentence.

1. That new fabric feels incredible; it __________ be incredibly expensive. (strong deduction)
2. They __________ launch their eco-friendly line next season, but it’s not confirmed yet. (possibility)
3. You __________ really check out the immersive fashion experience; it’s fantastic. (advice/recommendation)
4. If they use AI to design the clothes, the results __________ be truly unique. (possibility)
5. She __________ have worked really hard to create such an intricate design. (strong deduction about the past)

Answers

1. must
2. might / could
3. should
4. could / might
5. must