Fashion: The Minimalist Mindset

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If one thing is certain about the past year, it’s that ambiguity has taken over once-dependable environments. Forever symbolic of prosperity and the American dream, financial and home markets have been completely disrupted by the economic downturn. As a result, monumental shifts have occurred in consumer spending and unrestricted shopping sprees have become a thing of the past.

As always, this changing mindset has been reflected in culture. The dresses from Viktor & Rolf’s Spring 2010 show illustrate this concept, revealing style that is both whimsical and severe. Proving that certainty is never dependable, this minimalist bush from Justin Blyth’s inspiration blog mimics a similar message. The Selby’s latest photo series, featuring Cole Rood Hann’s clothing rack reveals geometric angles that are disruptive to both organization and perceived order.

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Singular circles, interestingly, have also been popping up. Peter Jensen’s SS09 shirt invites the eye to linger while Carlo Ban Deroer’s photograph represents the certainty that can be found within nature. This perspective collage from the Jane St. Annual Yard Sale also provides the viewer with a focal point amid a placating environment.

This trend represents a sense of anomaly and shock value, reflecting a new minimalistic mindset that has surfaced after a year of chaos. There’s an unsettling quality that is reflective of the current atmosphere and Americans are looking to reestablish the definition of success.

Written by: Kelsey-Lee LeGassick

October 7, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Crude Glamour

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New York City can be dirty, no doubt about it. Amidst the fashionistas making the sidewalk their runway and store windows elaborately offering their fineries, the harder you look, the more you’ll notice the city’s grit and grime. Emptied storefronts, sidewalk cracks and multicolored oil ponds fill the streets from Fifth Avenue to Chinatown. While dirt can be menacing for some, designers seem to be finding inspiration from these contaminated city corners. This beetle wing necklace from Econe mimics the rainbow palette found on this oil-slicked wall in Lexington. Gucci also taps this grit inspired trend with these combat boots. It appears we have a new kind of grunge here- one that’s dark and offbeat, a little worn-in, and highly ironic.

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The irony of it all is that fashion is a huge contributor to the problem, as noted in Crude, a new documentary that focuses on oil’s impact in the Amazon. Climate consciousness may be the inspiration for iridescent leather flats, such as these from Repetto, but sadly the message is lost when the inspiration is really the wake up call.

Compiled by: Emily Gup

October 6, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Virtual Baggage

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These days, who doesn’t live life on the go? The ease at which we consume information keeps us moving from one task to the next, allowing us to jump through ideas, facilitate conversations and share moments. With the use of our mobile devises and computers, we are able to navigate through unlimited technology with minimal strain on our physical being. Dr. Susan Blackmore describes this information transferral process in her TED presentation, touching upon evolutionary theory, consciousness, replication and idea convergence between humans and technology. Blackmore, like others, is part of a research movement that’s focused on studying how trends, ideas and epidemics spread throughout human and digital communities.

In visualizing these theories, we have pulled dot-inspired imagery from relevant print, fashion and web sources. Are Your Friends Making You Fat? is a recent NYTimes piece by Clive Thompson which focuses on social contagion in the world of networking. Merging fashion with technology, Commes de Garcon embraces pointillism with this atom inspired undershirt. Cisco insinuates global communication using colorful dots while Stella McCartney pares down to blue and green with her Whatever It Takes tote. Nancy Macko adds a truly organic touch with her artful study of the honey bee and Tatiana Plakhova embodies the idea of networkism in her two-toned fiber optic-looking graphic.

Collaborative coverage by: Kelsey-Lee LeGassick and Shayna Kulik

September 21, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Fashion: Technically Speaking

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The moment technical drawings began popping up in the mainstream, we knew back to school season was in full swing again. What’s most interesting about the above imagery is that regardless of the subject matter, both themes remind us of chalkboard drawings. J. Crew’s architectural lettering is comprised of strings and nails and has us saying our ABC’s, while the Gap has tapped the New Vintage Edison light bulb craze with black and white illustrated pajama pants. Regardless of the subject matter, these thin-lined contrasts conclusively define the western notion of education, and it’s refreshing to see more than just books ringing in the fall season.

September 14, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: The Scale Standard

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Scales represent the outer most layer of our skin and are therefore a significant part of our daily lives. Until we start aging, require additional protection, are injured, or are simply inspired by various layering techniques, most of us spend our time thinking about other things. Today we’re tying this theme together across several platforms in an effort to follow a visual timeline. This scale armor vest was a necessity during wartime as protection against bludgeoning. It appears as though Iceberg, a well-known fashion label has pulled inspiration from this exposed layering technique for their fall09 collection. Replacing traditional fish scales with shiny records, this graffiti collage from the Wooster Collective reveals pop culture at it’s finest, mixing things up.

September 12, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Follow-up: Diamonds are Forever Changing

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Diamonds in their purest form have remained desirable for centuries. From King Louis XIV of France to today’s modern bride, this gem signifies wealth, status and emotional commitment– three things that drive fashion and marketing teams crazy. Back in June, we covered global diamond patterns, as they were surfacing, and are now adding a few more to the bunch. Phillip Lim uses photo-realism in his bejeweled tank top while Rachel Roy simulates sparkle with cross-hatched slots on a quilted purse. Mimicking this concept with glass, Michael Kors references Hollywood glam with his new fragrance, Very Hollywood.

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Additionally, many designers seem to be moving away from the traditional pyramid silhouette that we’re all accustomed to seeing. From Clé De Peau‘s eye shadow to Marc Jacob’s earrings on the cover of the New York Times’ Style Magazine, to Diane Von Furstenburg and H.Stern’s latest watch collaboration, we’re curious to see where else these minimalist shapes will surface.

September 11, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik