Minimalism and Maximalism. Two words that are not similar in meaning, yet are always compared to each other in fashion. Without one, there is not the other. They push and pull each other, and designers respond to their constant brawl by innovating their designs each season based on which of the two words are trending.
Minimalism is the concept that less is more. The balance of a garment is represented with clean lines, simple features, and plain colors. The intention of the design is clear and there is little clash between with the garment. Madeleine Vionnet, a French designer in the early 1900s, introduced some of the first minimalist designs in women’s dresses. Her garments were flattering and draped in a way that allowed women to take the liberating step forward to go without corsets when wearing a gown.
Since then, designers have taken her revolutionary visions and morphed them into their own. One of the most prominent minimalist movements was ignited by founder of Comme des Garcons Rei Kawakubos. Her minimalist designs took Paris Fashion Week by storm in 1981. Compared to the rather loud designs of the 80s, Kawakubos’ collection was initially not well
received. However, as the turn of the decade neared, other designers began to credit their more simple take on clothing to Kawakubos’ 1981 Paris Fashion Week collection. Minimalist designs carry a certain sense of sophistication and class. The complexity of the design lies within its thoughtful details.
Maximalism, on the other hand, celebrates extravagance and marks new beginnings. In the
1950s, after World War II, a maximalist period of fashion began. After years of hardship, designers wanted fashion to represent optimism. Patterns and textures were carefully put together to create an artform that alluded to the hopeful sentiment of the decade. Additionally, the 1980s represented another decade where maximalism wasa huge trend. Designers used bright colors and patterns to make bold statements. Christian Lacroix Haute Couture Spring 1988 piece is an example of how different shapes, colors, and accessories represent the playful
nature of maximalist designs.
To further exemplify the counteractive relationship between minimalism and maximalism, the 1990s was a time of simplicity within the fashion industry. Fashion is a form of social
commentary and due to the economic downturn of the time, fashion reflected the rather solemn
state of the decade. There was less fabric, less accessories, less of everything. Fashion was
stripped down to its bare bones, and designers focused on silhouettes and muted color palettes.
However, the start of the 21st century started a resurgence of maximalism. The youthful
celebration that coincided with the turn of the century paved the way for maximalism to, once
again, swarm the fashion world. A large contribution to the style of the 2000s was Hip-Hop
artists. Artists such as Nelly and Jay-Z sported some of the most prominent trends of the 2000s.
Retro sports jerseys, camo, big logos, and accessories, such as trucker hats and sunglasses
became popular among the masses due to the influence of Hip Hop culture.
The most recent example of maximalism in fashion is post-pandemic fashion. Post-pandemic fashion, specifically 2021-2022, consisted of vibrant colors, pattern-mixing, and chunky, playful accessories. Once again, fashion trends represented the promise of the future, after a time of hardship.
The tug-of-war between minimalism and maximalism has continued. In recent runway trends, there has been a gradual transition from maximalism to minimalism in the past 4 runway
seasons. Furthermore, they flow in and out of the fashion world in waves. Like anything, they
rotate in trend cycles. Minimalism continues to represent their purity of fashion, while
maximalism celebrates the beauty in chaos.
Sources:
https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/madeleine-vionnet-an-introduction
https://www.goat.com/editorial/comme-des-garcons-history
https://www.fitnyc.edu/museum/exhibitions/minimalism-maximalism.php
https://exhibitions.fitnyc.edu/minimalism-maximalism/2000-2010/
https://rockthebells.com/articles/2000s-hip-hop-fashion/
Images
https://assets.vogue.com/photos/65188894ea4f39b3609e209d/master/w_1280,c_limit/Alexande
r_McQueen_RTW_SS24_01.jpg
https://assets.vogue.com/photos/5d92492f23c8940008d87be6/master/w_1280,c_limit/_ALE001
0.jpg
https://data2.nssmag.com/images/galleries/22793/lacroix.jpg (Christian Lacroix Haute Couture
Spring 1988)
https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58dac9bf440243dfbf600995/1610996960545-
W5LD14AFTU8TATYPPVG2/alexander-mcqueen-fall-2002-ready-to-wear-044-adriana-lima.jpg
?format=500w (ALEXANDER MCQUEEN FALL 2002 READY-TO-WEAR)
https://imgix.bustle.com/uploads/image/2023/8/11/2bb73ad8-b289-4354-9a9e-9a70339d4f9e-ge
ttyimages-109526404.jpg?w=808&h=1433&fit=crop&crop=faces&auto=format%2Ccompress&q
=50&dpr=2 (Nelly 2000s)
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