RuPaul's Drag Race Might've Predicted Winter 2024's Biggest Accessory Trend

It can be said that drag and fashion have always gone hand in hand, and the latest season of "RuPaul's Drag Race" proves as much. The popular reality competition series acts as a platform for talented performers to share their designs, and in Episode 3 of Season 16, contestant Nymphia Wind revealed a design that may have inspired this season's key accessory: the necktie.

The design in question featured a faux leather dress with a corseted bodice and an assortment of crimped neckties adorned from head to toe. Nymphia's tie-heavy look, which she managed to put together in just one day, blew the judges away and easily goes down as one of the best "Drag Race" looks of the season. And the panel of judges weren't the only ones to fawn over Nymphia's unique design, as it appears that top fashion house Moschino has hopped on the tie-obsessed bandwagon. As such, prepare to see the necktie make its way into everyday looks and find out how the fashion icons incorporate ties as the chicest accessory with these tips.

On February 23, 2024, Moschino shared snippets of its Fall/Winter 2024 collection on Instagram, which showcased several tie-inspired designs. The timing of the release contributes to the theory that Nymphia Wind's design was well ahead of the fashion curve, as Season 16 was filmed in 2023, long before Moschino's runway reveal.

What's more, Nymphia highlighted one of Moschino's tie-centric designs on her Instagram story in which she displayed her enthusiasm for the new necktie trend with a heart-eye emoji and all caps. The similarities between Nymphia's third "Drag Race" look and Moschino's winter collection have led some to consider the potential connection between the two design ideas. It's entirely possible that Nymphia's design could have predicted one of the pivotal accessory trends of the season, based on Moschino's runway looks. 

For instance, on Moschino's Instagram post, one user commented, "Nymphia has already did [that]." Another user posted, "[N]ymphia wind impact." Both comments allude to Nymphia's possible role in Moschino's new designs.

While the designs feature neckties differently, the general theme remains the same with the tie being a focal point in both circumstances. For instance, neckties act as defining pieces in Moschino's looks, despite competing elements and the fact that they are styled as accessories. Similarly, Nymphia's outfit also comprised bold pieces that compete for attention. Even so, the creative use of neckties steals the spotlight.

The notable similarity between Moschino's tie designs and Nymphia's look, that you can emulate at home, is the headpiece. Nymphia's design featured a statement headpiece, while two of Moschino's designs feature silky headwraps. However, only one of the headpieces in Moschino's collection is constructed with actual ties. The parallel exists, nonetheless. The Moschino runway reveals that you can also jump on this trend by draping an untied tie (or multiple ties) around your neck like a scarf.

In general, Moschino's Winter '24 collection was well-received, with designers and artists likely already taking note of the fashion house's looks for future style inspiration. However, not everyone is prepared to follow the necktie hype, as some people have made negative comparisons between Adrian Appiolaza, the current creative director of Moschino, and the previous director, Jeremy Scott. "Jeremy Scott is a hard act to follow," one commenter stated on Moschino's post. Though, it's unlikely that the necktie plays a factor in this counteropinion.