The Indie Revival aesthetic is loud, flash-heavy, and unapologetically nostalgic - and it’s having a major comeback. Think 2000s Tumblr nights, digital cameras with the flash on, smudged eyeliner, and “too cool to care” energy. It’s messy, magnetic, and a little bit chaotic in the best way.
Whether you’re a content creator, underground fashion brand, or It-girl with something to say, embracing this aesthetic is about showing up unfiltered - and owning it. And yes, your digital space should reflect that same gritty confidence.
One of the easiest ways to channel Indie Revival in your content? Bold, expressive Canva templates that help you stay creatively messy while keeping your brand on point.
What Is the Indie Revival Aesthetic?
Picture late-night MySpace selfies, American Apparel ads, flash photography, bedhead, and bootcut jeans. Now add bold fonts, low-res textures, and playlist-era mood boards. Indie Revival isn’t polished - it’s provocative. It’s chaos with a point of view.
Who’s Wearing the Indie Revival Crown?
The Indie Revival aesthetic is back on the mood board - and some of today’s biggest fashion and culture muses are bringing it to life. Here are a few of the modern-day It-girls leading the way:
Kate Moss – The original Indie icon. Her 2000s paparazzi photos in slip dresses, bedhead hair, and effortless bohemian chic street style still define the aesthetic. Kate walked so the revival could run.
Julia Fox – The queen of chaotic cool. Known for her fearless, gritty fashion choices and paparazzi-captured DIY street style, she embodies the raw, rebellious vibe at the heart of the Indie Revival.
Chloë Sevigny – Eternal Indie icon and style muse, still referenced for her 2000s downtown New York energy and thrift-store chic. Her legacy is the blueprint.
Charli XCX – Musically and visually, Charli balances early-internet nostalgia with a hyper-modern edge. Her music videos, fashion choices, and aesthetic universe scream Indie-coded pop princess.
Devon Lee Carlson – YouTube star turned brand founder, Devon’s mix of Y2K nostalgia, film camera selfies, and chaotic-girl-next-door energy perfectly captures the revival’s vibe.
These women are part It-girl, part cultural archivist - curating a personal brand that blends fashion, nostalgia, rebellion, and creative storytelling.
Templates to Compliment Your Indie Revival Era
Brand Style Guides - Lay the groundwork for your grunge-coded brand. Think mismatched fonts, bold contrast, grain textures, and moody palettes.
Instagram Posts & Story Templates - Create content that feels like it came straight from your camera roll. These templates are perfect for unfiltered selfies, cryptic captions, party flyers, or edgy product shots.
Mood Board Templates - Collect inspo like it’s 2008 - from low-fi concert shots to blurry film stills and playlist screenshots. These boards are perfect for curating chaotic genius.
Product / Service Showcases - Promote your zines, digital downloads, merch, or creative services in layouts that feel bold, raw, and real - no pastels or perfection here.
Pinterest Pin Templates - Yes, Indie Revival belongs on Pinterest too. Use these to drive traffic to your blog, podcast, or shop while keeping that It-girl energy intact.
How to Use These Templates to Curate Your Aesthetic
Here’s how to keep things cool and cohesive, without sacrificing your style:
1. Download your chosen template from the shop
2. Open the file in Canva (you don’t need Pro!)
3. Customise fonts, colours, overlays, and images to match your mood
4. Post, pin, or print - wherever your content lives, these templates adapt
✨ Indie Revival design tip: Use flash photography, grungy serif fonts, handwritten scribbles, black + red combos, and nostalgic throwback elements.
Who Are These Templates For?
• Fashion-forward creators with a love for lo-fi nostalgia
• Alt beauty brands and music-inspired businesses
• Tumblr-era girlies turned content creators
• Anyone building a brand with a little chaos and a lot of character
✨ Ready to embrace the chaos and bring your vision to life? Explore the Indie Revival Collection here and create a brand that stands out for all the right reasons.