Fashion Terms — the Apparel Search fashion terminology directory
The structure, form, and angles usually associated with architectural design have moved from the city streets to the fashion runways. With the move toward minimalism, clean lines, structure, and sharp-edged angles are being incorporated into many fashions, and designers are drawing inspiration from the simple, modern style associated with architecture — including city color palettes of grays, black and sky blue.
On the design front,
form and texture have become key areas of focus. It's also interesting to
note that many of the color palettes being shown for Fall/winter mirror
the colors associated with the city. Apparel Search recognizes a palette
of grays, which may have been influenced by the sleek buildings, and
lots of black—the color of asphalt. These colors are often contrasted by
blue, which may have drawn inspiration from the color of the sky.
Yeohlee's Spring 2008 collection highlighted clean, crisp looks in a palette
of soft gray and ivory. Angles, a key element throughout the collection,
added a dramatic edge to sleeves and skirt hems. Angular cuts also showed
up on stylish poncho-type over-garments.
Yeohlee's Fall 2008 Ready-to-wear collection also incorporated geometrics
and angles. A darker palette of blue, black, and gray brought a sophisticated,
urban edge. Clean and understated, the collection highlighted form and geometry.
Looks ranged from angular, almost bat-like sleeves on ponchos to shimmery
metallic dresses that were quite simple in form. Several pieces highlighted
bold geometrics in a palette of gray and black.
Calvin Klein's Fall 2008 Ready-to-wear collection also reflected structural
design influences. Clean, sharp lines dominated the collection, which consisted
mainly of gray and black hues. Styles included an angular A-line dress with
a very futuristic Jetsons-like flair and an asymmetrical dress that
made quite a statement with its sharp, angular one-sleeve design.
Design duo Viktor & Rolf also showed a palette of gray and black for
Fall/winter. Models sashayed down the runway in stark, minimalist looks.
Even their boots reflected a strong architectural influence that was also
futuristic. Pants were pleated (another nod to straight lines and form)
and embellished with metallic accents. Again, minimalism was key.
Architecture's inspiration is certainly not limited to apparel. Even renowned
architects such as Frank Gehry have brought their designs into fashion.
Several years ago, Gehry collaborated with Tiffany & Co. to launch a
jewelry collection that reflects the simplicity of his minimalist designs.
Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings are part of the upscale line,
which has a contemporary edge. Pieces range from the clean, elegant, and
modern Torque bangle to the Flux earrings, which are simple, organic, and
thoroughly modern.
By Regina Cooper
You may also want to read about Arts Influence on Fashion.
Fashion Terms: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Thank you for using the Apparel Search website.
Through structure, form and angles: clean lines and sharp-edged angles associated with buildings are incorporated into garments, form and texture become key design focuses, and color palettes mirror the city — grays from sleek buildings, black from asphalt, blue from the sky.
Yeohlee, whose Spring 2008 collection used clean, crisp looks in soft gray and ivory with dramatic angles on sleeves and skirt hems, and whose Fall 2008 ready-to-wear added geometrics in blue, black and gray; and Calvin Klein, whose Fall 2008 ready-to-wear collection also reflected structural design influences.
Both disciplines shape form around a body in space. As this page shows, when fashion moves toward minimalism, designers borrow architecture's vocabulary — geometry, proportion, structure and surface — and translate it into cloth.