Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Out with the old and in with the super new? Futurist fashion is on the rise, from its bright cyber blue tones to dark grungy browns,  and owes a debt to Blade Runner 2049, the 2017 sequel to 1982 science-fiction classic.

Directed by Dennis Villenueve, this slice of sci-fi noir stars Ryan Gosling as Officer K, a replicant working for the LAPD to track down rogue replicants. He comes across the remains of once pregnant replicant – something deemed impossible, leading him down a rabbit hole to uncover the truth about this missing child as well as delving into his own identity and what it means to be human – something he is not.

The film has become a huge sensation amongst Gen Z, with many new fashion trends emerging from it. With its beautiful cinematography, featuring an array of colour gradings, from dark, gloomy scenes to brightly lit setting

s, Blade Runner 2049 truly is a film that entices Gen Z audiences.

Its various fashion styles include cyber/cyberpunk which has always been popular style amongst young people, from the dark mecha style popularised by influencer Yunmago to the blue cyber techwear style Tenshikaiwai, originating from Japan.

Over the years the style has gained noticeable recognition and a huge community of wearers. In Blade Runner 2049, we see its themes represented in the hologram of dancing Joi (Ana de Armas), one of the most recognisable scenes in the film.

Additionally, Bladerunner 20249’s characters feature many bright, bold hair colours such as blue, purple and orange, inspiring a large community to take on quirky tones and adapt their style to be more daring.

The infamous scene, featuring a bloody Officer K and the Joi hologram saying “You look lonely, I can fix that”, left a huge impact on audiences, with her striking blue hair and the mesmerising purple scenery, with many fans taking inspiration from that look.

By Ami Bones, a student on the BA Magazine Journalism & Publishing course at London College of Communication