Friday, May 04, 2012
Less is More: Minimalism in Fashion
Mimimalism has always appealed to me. So it was no wonder that I was attracted to this new book by Harriet Walker: Less is More: Minimalism in Fashion.
I love clean lines, uncluttered surfaces, a simple aesthetic. Where the fabric and its cut are all that are needed to portray the designer's intention.
Take this simple shirt by Geoffrey Beene (1985) for example:
The fabric in its vibrant shade of yellow make this piece. It doesn't need further embellishment.
In her book, Walker explores the history of minimalism in fashion from the beginning of the twentieth century. She relates it to the rise of feminism and the new demands on women as they took on larger roles in society.
Designers like Coco Chanel and Poiret began to design garments that were more practical for day-to-day wear.
That didn't mean that women stopped being feminine. Minimalism creates its own brand of elegance and style. Just look at Christian Dior's evening gown (1946):
In my own designs, I often opt for a minimalist aesthetic, allowing the yarn itself to create the fabric. Stitches and shaping are used to enhance the yarn's own features rather than compete with them. There is also an architectural quality to the construction.
Patterns of mine that could wear the "minimalist" label are:
Manon
Summer in the City:
Afternoon Breezes:
And from my current collection, Suite for Short Rows, Counterpoint:
Posted by Ilga Leja on 05/04 at 11:18 AM
