Minimalism as Maximalism

Minimalism as Maximalism
Words: Leni Andronicos

With its violent hues, exuberant prints and playful silhouettes, there’s no denying the gentle elegance behind fashion has passed. Welcome to the new minimalism – as maximalism. Writes Leni Andronicos

It doesn’t take a Chanel-drenched, editing, front-rower to tell you that a minimalistic approach was once the key to understated glamour. With their neutral colour palettes, delicate tailoring and womanly silhouettes –the spring/summer collections of last season were an obvious ode to the female revolution.

However, this season, fashion closed the door on austerity and indulged in an extravagance of colour not seen since 90s Chanel.

The reincarnation was translated through an understanding for both comfort and style– complimented with total shock-factor simplicity – as neon brights, jolting hues and voluptuous ‘60s-inspired silhouettes took centre stage.

Swinging splashes of crimson and fuchsia were seen at Lanvin, while Jil Sander shocked with the unlikely pairing of couture-like skirts and meek white tees.

The optically confusing dresses at Versus said confidence with a capital C and lent an irrepressible cool to the fashion peculiar.

Finally, there came Laura Lusuardi at MaxMara, who managed to capture this positivity in its best. High-voltage, colour combinations in mannish silhouettes –orange, yellow and violet for example – breezed through like a breath of fresh air. Her simplistic, lean contours and bold outlines spelt B-A-N-G and highlighted this season’s obsession with shape.

Last season, had you told us we’d be plucking banana-yellows, zesty-oranges and bubblegum-blues from a rainbow of fashion’s new “fresh”, we’d have laughed.

Still can’t be swayed? Let Prada’s mise-en-scène invite you to discover this revolutionary trend.

“I’m tired of minimalism,” Miuccia Prada told WWD. “It’s time to go bold”.