Out With Outré

The Modern Kati Nescher

The fundamentals of fashion. And the phenomenon copied and embraced by designers and the common glitterati alike. Though the monomania has caused screams of style revolution it's still oh so quiet. The absence of extravagance and grandure, the tranquility, deviated by the in vogue hysteria of the celebrated practise of sheer art. Minimalism. The gentle approach. As I like to call it, 'form over fancy'. The dexterity of creating a striking pièce de rèsistance with a short palette of colour & the concentration of folds, creases and constructions? Basic, brilliant, bringing boldness and cleaning up the sticky glitter stream of pop culture inspired flamboyant designs and prints. The challenge is set, to attract attention using only a classic tricolor, give or take, few layers, using simple, classic pieces. Not a challenge? Well what's harder?; attracting attention in a pop art print Katie Eary number, or a basic white shirt and jeans? The contemporary change in scene is that now the outrageous is met by nonchalance and boredom , while a classic shift dress, crowned with a satin kimono is au courant. 

Last year saw the rise of pastels in the summer, neutral shades in autumn, with their gorgeous transition taking place in spring. White-washed fabrics, low hemlines and tea-length dresses. Bankini galore covered by monotonous satin and chelsea collar necks. Incorporating form and complimentary shape proved popular. As these monotonous and simple designs became more abundant, this prompted designers to focus on fitting. The male and female form tend to be embraced by this blazing trend. And here comes monochrome. Silhouettes of black and white, ebony and ivory in perfect harmony. A far cry from the shocking array of ornate and flamboyant garments. With precision in tailoring and stitching to the exact measurements there's absolutely no room for error in this trend. It either works or it simply doesn't. Over this current S/S13 season minimalism has proven the belle of the bracket. 

Examples of minimalism in fashion (SS13), simple yet divine.

The naked obscurity of the mania allows beauty to speak for itself, applauding the human form, giving fashion the breath of life and a modern touch. The fashion world finally feels alive. Clothing all the more human and all the less quixotic is a significant move. Once it was seen as a bold act to don cluttered concoctions and scary prints, things that had never been done before. Boring. The constant need to stand out and be vintage seems childish in the world of high-fashion. Increasingly passè. Though the genius of Alexander McQueen's fanciful creations and the peculiar styles of pop sensation Lady Gaga have been celebrated, in modern everyday wear and on the catwalk - the general preference is clear. There is no longer the need to insist on the bizarre in a bid to stand out, this is accomplished now through the simple. The plain pea coat and black dress among 3-D floral skirts and embellished fabrics is the one that stands out. For it's pureness and genuine grace, the style of minimalism is one to be marvelled at. Not limited to those who are shy with creativity, not limited to those who are above and beyond queer. We love it.■