Now that brat summer season has come and gone, the ladies are persevering with the transfer away from quiet-luxury-inspired aesthetics and as an alternative embracing maximalism, sensuality, and “darkish female power” for the season. Which clearly implies that it’s formally darkish female fall.
Of course, darkish female power (DFE) is extra of a mindset than an precise aesthetic. But in line with customers on Pinterest, whose 2024 trends data discovered that “darkish female core” queries have exponentially risen this yr, what we consult with as such typically consists of corset attire, sultry lace tops, and leather-based pants whereas its corresponding glam leans into ‘90s impressed grunge with smoky shadow, moody deep lips, and darkish red wine nail colors, if not straight black.
Translation? Dark female energy-inspired glam is actually an elevated tackle goth glam and rock-star girlfriend vibes with a horny, sensual, and chic edge, and it’s been all over TikTok and Pinterest—and now, the red-carpet and runway, too.
At the VMAs, Taylor Swift, Camila Cabello, Megan thee Stallion, BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Suki Waterhouse, and Chappell Roan leaned into the moody motion, whereas Selena Gomez and Jenna Ortega every channeled darkish female power at The Toronto Film Festival and Beetlejuice 2 premiere, respectively.
At New York Fashion Week, designers Luar, Wiederhoft, Kim Shui, Christian Cowan, and Jason Wu included grunge goth vibes into their Spring/Summer 2025 runway exhibits. Then, lower than a couple of days later, a number of 2024 Emmys attendees embraced darkish female glam on the pink carpet, together with Quinta Brunson, Ella Purnell, Laverne Cox, and Mindy Kaling.
Clearly, darkish female power season isn’t simply upon us—however simply getting began.
As for what’s inspiring the transfer in such a moody path? According to MAC Cosmetics senior make-up artist Michelle Clark, it’s merely a matter of bringing stability to the sweetness universe. How applicable, seeing as the beginning of Libra season marks the official starting of fall.
“We’ve seen an increase during the last yr in coquette, strawberry, sugarplum fairy, and clean-girl make-up, which all embrace shades of pink, glowy pores and skin and a component of girlie and über-feminine softness,” Clark tells Glamour. “It appears now that there’s a must showcase the duality of female—that there’s a gentle and a darkness to every thing.”
And there’s darkness certainly. So a lot in order that some precise femme fatale villains have served as inspiration for darkish female glam. According to Kanako Takase, Addiction Tokyo’s artistic director who oversaw the make up at at Christian Cowan’s NYFW SS25, the “chilly glamour and darkish magnificence” look was impressed by Bette Davis’ character in Madame Sin: “a chilly, evil, and wealthy prison mastermind.”
