In the last few years, we have run through a fair share of microtrends online. Used as a suffix primarily by Gen Z, ‘core’ relates to different style aesthetics. It’s almost impossible to have been online without having seen the words mermaidcore, barbiecore or cottagecore. But what do these words actually mean? For their latest collaboration, Zalando and adidas have come together to answer that question and create the ultimate style glossary, bringing together all the key aesthetics.
Titled The A-Z of Streetwear, the project spotlights aesthetics such as ‘dark academia’, ‘princesscore’, ‘scoutcore’ and ‘witchcore’ and features a curated shoppable collection of pieces that relate to each title. Created in partnership with Dazed, the two labels’ latest campaign turns to ‘bloquette’ – a mix of coquette, a style known primarily for its hyperfeminine and blokecore, a football-inspired style.
In a series of images shot by London-based photographer Sirui Ma and styled by Kieran Kilgallon, two models embody the melancholy associated with the coquette aesthetic, while simultaneously sporting some of the staple pieces associated with Blockcore. Think: Adidas sambas with ribbon laces and ballerinas with football shirts on. Sitting in the ultimate teenage girl’s room with bows in their hair, staring longingly at each other they emulate the Lisbon sisters in Sofia Coppola’s The Virgin Suicides. Except instead of being in a suburban town, this version of Lux Lisbon orders a pint of lager at Spoons while watching the football before going home to stare out her window and write love notes in her journal with swirly hearts around the world ‘Tripp’.
As part of the online style glossary, you can shop some key pieces from the looks here and try your best attempt at the hybrid aesthetic.
Check out the images in the gallery above and watch the behind-the-scenes from the shoot by Selasi Ayettey below.
