From Michelle Yeoh to Henry Golding, here are the Asian stars who are experts at striking the balance between subtle and opulent
“Stealth wealth” or “old money aesthetic” are just some of the words being used to describe one of fashion’s most captivating trends right now: quiet luxury.
Understated, elegant and yet casual, quiet luxury typically consists of timeless silhouettes, top quality materials and neutral tones. Totally devoid of branding or logos, these items don’t shout “I’m expensive!” because they don’t need to. The immaculate tailoring is instantly recognisable for anyone in the know, and leaves no room for misunderstanding its premium prices.
Brunello Cucinelli, Loro Piana and The Row are some of the brands at the forefront of quiet luxury, an aesthetic that has been amplified in popular culture recently.
For example, in HBO’s boardroom drama Succession, costume designer Michelle Matland often dresses the ultra-wealthy characters in unassuming pieces from brands such as Maison Margiela and Altuzarra—versus characters from the lower rungs of the social ladder who are often depicted as wearing “ludicrously capacious” Burberry bags with a blatantly obvious check print—to offer visual clues for audience that hint at the class divide on the show.
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It’s even seen in real life courtrooms as an indicator of unshakeable confidence. For example, during her recent trial to contest her involvement in a skiing incident, actress Gwenyth Paltrow exclusively wore shades of cream, grey and olive from the likes of Prada and her own brand, G. Label by Goop. It stood out for its simplicity and collected undertone.
Thus far, this trend has been predominantly Eurocentric. However, there are some Asian celebs who have mastered the quiet luxury aesthetic, and here are some of our favourites.
1. Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh looks equally chic on red carpets as she does on press junkets and in her downtime. While the designer gowns she wears for more high profile events are bold, memorable and unexpected, her off-duty style is simple but polished, classic but casual—just the right balance to fit the stealth wealth bill.
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