Future Baroque Luxe
A lust for luxury and status is high on the cards. It seems everyone wants to be the next Cara Delevingne. The quintessential equation of style; high fashion mixed with contemporary streetwear. Launching Delevingne centrefold, Karl Lagerfeld shoots Cara Delevingne as cover girl for the winter issue of Melissa Magazine (Barlow. 2013). From the runway to the streets high fashion is expanding – Future, Baroque, Luxe (Clarkson. 2013).
The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI (Odongo. 2013) couldn’t have come at a better time for the fashion industry; many people have unknowingly been exposed to traditional baroque through widespread media coverage. “The rise of baroque patterns, embroidery and foiled prints are prominent A/W 14/15” (Clarkson. 2013), baroque fusing the gap for those who want to look fashionable without filing bankruptcy. This can be seen in AD/BC, “Ksubi’s Spring Summer 2013 lookbook tackling religion, infatuation heroism and streetwear with elements of baroque and royalty being core” (Selectism. 2013). Ksubi’s use of Christian subjects in a distasteful manner will appeal significantly to rebellious youth. AD/BC including imagery of Jesus smoking, praying hands in handcuffs and text based shirts such as “The Good Versus God” (Ksubi. 2013).
Lucinda above wears a purple velvet Ksubi vest, dark leather denim and snakeskin boots. Although a rather toned down luxury detailed embroidery in the vest, suggests a high price tag behind the outfit. Contrasting with snakeskin boots she exerts a strong celebrity/model like persona. Lucinda appropriately sets a new trend for the coming season.
References
Barlow, Leonie. March 21, 2013. “Cara Delevingne teams up with Karl Lagerfeld”. Accessed March 24, 2013. http://www.thestyleinsider.co.nz/cara-delevingne-teams-up-with-karl-lagerfeld/#.UU7mflt3zbo.
Clarkson, Alice. March 18, 2013. “Future Baroque: A/W 14/15 women’s print & graphics.” Accessed March 23, 2013. http://www.wgsn.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/content/report/Design_Direction/
Print_and_Graphics/AW_14_15/Womens/future_baroque_womens.html.
Odongo, Waga. March 11, 2013. “Why did the Pope resign?”. Accessed March 24, 2013. http://www.nation.co.ke/Features/DN2/Why-did-the-Pope-resign/-/957860/1716064/-/k9pj5/-/index.html
Taw, Denise. January 23, 2013. “Ksubi AD/BC Spring Summer 2013 Lookbook”. Accessed March 24, 2013. http://www.selectism.com/2013/01/23/ksubi-adbc-fall-winter-2013-lookbook/.
Ksubi, Online Store. 2013. “Mens Fashion”. Accessed March 22, 2013. http://www.ksubi.com/collections/mensfashion/
Ultra Contemporary
Non-restrictive and functioning clothing for daily wear is prominent this season. A contemporary take on pants will be evident with “a more relaxed take on the utility look…. soft volume through the upper leg, tapering gently to a slightly cropped cuff, which brings longer rises and subtle dropped-crotch details into play” (Perdue. 2013). It seems many individuals are interested in being comfortable, opting for a more relaxed variation of pants, as opposed to that of restricting denim. Often in and out of seasons, but never appropriating full-scale, the drop crotch aesthetic will rise again.
Balmain‘s Fall/Winter 2013 collection strongly supports the visual appeal of drop crotch pants, pairing haute couture, detailed patterning and embroidery all with a sense of asymmetrical Asian influence (Bodansky. 2013). Rick Owens, DSquared2, Y-3, and Demobaza already support this fashion movement (Venter. 2013).
Above Andrzej portrays a distinct personal style well ahead of current trends. A fashion designer for House of Ezis his strengths within the industry are evident. Selection of a wide scoop basic and loose fitting drop crotch pants create a relaxed yet well-mannered look; denim like fabric avoids the comparison with sweatpants. Minimal stitching in the front also suggests an overall flow to his pants. This contrasts well with his current fashion exploration with House of Ezis, the website stating they are “currently exploring ‘the unit’ - questioning the infinite variations of one envelope of fabric that perpetually returns to its origin following a cycle of growth and development” (House of Ezis. 2013). This fashion shift is one to keep an eye out for!
References
Perdue, Ben. November 13, 2013. “Utility pants: A/W 13/14 men’s commercial update”. Accessed March 21, 2013. http://www.wgsn.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/content/report/Product_Updates/Menswear
/2012/November/utility_pants_menscommercialupdate.html
Bodansky, Nate. January 18, 2013. “Balmain 2013 Fall/Winter Collection”. Accessed March 21, 2013. http://hypebeast.com/2013/1/balmain-2013-fall-winter-collection?_locale=en
Venter, David. March 25, 2013. “Obsession Du Jour: Drop-Crotch Pants”. Accessed March 26, 2013. http://davidventer.net/fashion-blog/obsession-du-jour-drop-crotch-pants/
House of Ezis, About. 2013. “House of Ezis – About Section”. Accessed March 22, 2013. http://houseofezis.com/about
Industrial Evolution
“The birth of new machines is changing future design processes, leading us into a crafted industrial age. Right now, manufacture is in a state of flux, oscillating between the digital and analogue eras” (WGSN. 2012). A rise of the DIY aesthetic is trending. Gone are the days of outfits constructed head to toe in high-end designers pieces. Fashion culture has taken a blind eye, opting for more affordable attire. Numerous luxury brand knock-offs such as Louis Vuitton fakes and more recently the SSUR offshoot brand, “Comme Des Fuckdown” has oversaturated the market. These high-end brands are effectively losing their brand value “the future of luxury is one that may not need the obvious, in-your-face symbolism” (Marinelli. 2012). This was evident on the runaway for Paris Fashion Week,many brands avoiding strong use of their logo.
Ross sets a new trend immobilising his affliction towards high fashion, opting for something less. He contrasts military boots and a plain black staple with DIY jeans paying homage to minimalism and denim basics. Through the use of paint thinner he has burnt distressed lines into his denim. This contrasts similarly to tonal team stripes in DKNY denim A/W 14/15 (WGSN. 2013). Acid wash and an alternative stretch waist, strike similar comparisons to Australia label Ziggy and their current ‘Back From The Future’ range of denim (TBFB. 2013). His finished ensemble draws heavy influence from 90’s youth and grunge movement “which create an authentic head-to-toe look that represents the Wrangler aesthetic”, (Wiesman. 2013) a simple but effective DIY approach.
References
Creative Direction Team, WGSN. November 30, 2012. “A/W 14/15 Macro Trends: Industrial Evolution”. Accessed March 24, 2013. http://www.wgsn.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/content/report/Creative_Direction/Autumn
_Winter_2014_15/a_w_14_15_macro_trends.html
Marinelli, Gina. March 12, 2013. “Is The Future Of Luxury Fashion One Without Labels? Marc Jacobs Thinks So”. Accessed March 24, 2013. http://www.refinery29.com/louis-vuitton-stop-logo-use.
Denim Team, WGSN. March 22, 2013. “Super Classics: A/W 14/15 men’s denim”. Accessed March 24, 2013. http://www.wgsn.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/content/report/Collections/Denim/Autumn
_Winter_2014_15/Rendering_Reality/aw_14_15_renderingreality_mens_denim.html
The Best Fashion Blog. March 20, 2013. “Ziggy Autumn-Winter 2013-2014 Women’s and Men’s Jeans “. Accessed March 24, 2013. http://thebestfashionblog.com/womens-fashion/ziggy-autumn-winter-2013-2014-womens-and-mens-jeans
Wiesman, Luc. February 12, 2013. “Wrangler Autumn/Winter 2013 Collection “. Accessed March 21, 2013. http://www.dmarge.com/2013/02/wrangler-autumnwinter-2013-collection.html
