Gen Z’s obsession with shiny things Will the crystal craze-remain a trend in 2026?

The crystals continue to shine on the runways, infesting looks and no longer limiting themselves to being accents, but true patterns. That of embellished dresses is a trend that, for a few years now, continues to populate the collections of luxury giants, both in Haute Couture, as in the case of Schiaparelli, and in ready-to-wear, as in the latest Dior Homme show signed by Jonathan Anderson and in Miu Miu's SS26 but also by Dries Van Noten. If after several seasons this trend persists, to the point of being reproposed in the men's SS26 collections of brands like Louis Vuitton and Dolce&Gabbana, then there is something more interesting hidden behind its sparkle. 

A gender issue?

Part of the success of the crystal-craze is due to the nostalgia for 90s and 2000s aesthetics, with the Y2K fashion trend that has positioned embellishment as a defining feature of the latest runway outings. It is interesting to note how the trend of precious decorations has also spread to menswear, whereas in the past it was considered an element typical of women's clothing, used mainly for ornamental purposes and to emphasize femininity through opulence.

Three-dimensional decorations take on a different meaning, for example compared to sequins, not only from the point of view of craftsmanship, but also for their symbolic value. Surely the first field of experimentation is streetwear: the most striking example is Louis Vuitton's SS26, created by Pharrell, in which a puffer jacket featured, on the hood, a crystal decoration that reproduced a pattern inspired by the brand's monogram.

It must be said that Pharrell is no stranger to this kind of maximalism: just think of his passion for high jewelry, evident in the grills covered in diamonds and the layering of necklaces with fancy diamonds in his everyday looks. So it is almost natural that the Louis Vuitton man's wardrobe does not lack precious decorations. 

Or an issue of imagery?

In a certain sense, the shiny element does not only perform a decorative function, but also has the ability to shift the imagery of the objects of our daily life to another level. As in the case of the Palace slippers by Louis Vuitton, made in 2024 and covered in crystals, which transform a simple pair of slippers into a luxury item, even an apron is resemanticized in the SS26 Miu Miu collection, in some versions decorated with a crystal pattern. Miuccia Prada in the collection uses three-dimensional decorations to embellish a garment strictly linked to a traditionalist and retrograde vision of the female figure, activating a reflection on emancipation, now denoted with nobility and respect. 

In the SS26 Dolce&Gabbana collection, gender issues and imagery dialogue with each other in a series of looks that feature the pajama as protagonist among stripes and luminous embroidery of stones and crystals, making it an evening garment and, more generally, a uniform that can also be worn outside the home. Another case that went viral on social media is that of Schiaparelli's Haute Couture FW2025-2026, whose look 24 was a long trompe l'oeil dress on the front and back in red satin, embellished with modeled breasts and a necklace in the shape of a human heart in red crystals, equipped with mechanical pulsations. Also in the Chanel Métiers d'art 2026 collection signed by Matthieu Blazy there were Art déco-style embroideries embellished with crystals and light accents, made by the Lesage workshop, a partner of the maison since 2002. 

Brighter for everyone - men included 

The crystal-craze has not only affected luxury giants, but has also involved numerous emerging brands and mid-to-high-end ones, often in response to a traditionalist conception according to which precious decorations were historically associated with women's clothing. Not surprisingly, many of the most iconic pieces of this trend today belong to the menswear segment.

Essential items in the male wardrobe, such as coats and jeans, are reinterpreted through the application of crystals: this is the case of FiveFourFive, which in a recent collaboration with Swarovski transformed basic elements into spectacular pieces. Similarly, Birth of Royal Child has made continuous sweatshirts and zip hoodies embellished with crystal applications.

More and more brands have embraced this aesthetic, extending it also to accessories and garments that have found resonance among figures from the American rap scene. Artists such as Drake, Lil Baby, Travis Scott and Lil Yachty have shown interest in projects such as the FoMo fitted cap Angel’s Tears by FOMO Studios, the pearl-encrusted Vans by Mattias Gollin or the flannel shirt with floral Swarovski decoration signed by Amiri.

So the question arises whether the crystal-craze is destined to fade or whether it will continue to be reflected in future collections. More than a simple Gen Z obsession, regardless of Y2K nostalgia, embellishment is a trend that represents not only the savoir-faire of maisons and brands, but also a change of direction compared to the conception of ornament in ready-to-wear. Swarovski is no longer just decoration, but a tool for amplifying identity and the product. In 2026, rather than asking ourselves whether the crystal-craze is destined to end, we should ask ourselves what else it can still tell.