Kitsch, but cool: Fashion’s tackiest genre turns très chic

Kitsch is no longer just your auntie’s living room aesthetic. In 2025, it is fashion’s loudest genre – think temple bells painted on sneakers, street typography on saris, and every neon hue in the visible spectrum. We’ve come a long way from Manish Arora’s idea of sci-fi-sanskari flamboyance of two decades ago. It’s no longer about throwing clashing colours and prints together. It’s no longer playing up the peacock and paisley. Kitsch has grown up. What was once seen as ‘too much’ is now ‘just enough’. And even a glittery gimmick must have a detailed back story, as these experts show.