MONOCHROMATIC MAXIMALISM

On March 6th, 2022, Valentino debuted their Autumn/ Winter 22’ collection, but it wasn’t just any typical fashion show. Every aspect, from the clothes to the venue, focused on one specific shade of pink. Enter Valentino’s Pink PP (inspired by the creator Pierpaolo Piccioli) Collection, which followed an experimental urge of radical gesture and took maximalism to a whole new level.

It all started with one of the best clothing line campaigns in fashion history. Zendaya, Hollywood’s sweetheart, was the star muse for this grand announcement. Seeing the actress in a monochromatic blouse and floral crepe couture pants paired with platform heels and topped off with an elongated trenchcoat somehow gave her more power than she already had to begin with. This stunt alone kick-started one of the biggest fashion trends of this year: monochromatic maximalism. To give it even more exposure, Valentino displayed advertisements across social media and throughout fashion capitals of the world drawing attention to this specific shade of hot pink. To top it all off, the brand officially partnered with Pantone in order to familiarize society with this color. This sparked a new type of aesthetic: one that has to do exclusively with the term monochrome. When the monochromatic Pink PP fashion show occurred, a revolution began.

This idyllic statement of beauty has taken over the fashion world because of its star power. Adopting a ‘campy’ spin on gilded glamor, Glenn Close, Sebastian Stan, and more decided to step out from head-to-toe in full-fledged Valentino Pink PP outfits for the 2022 Met Gala. It got them more attention than some of the on-theme gilded glamor outfits themselves. A-list celebrities soon started wearing the shade to more events as evidence of their star status, and to inspire their audiences. Eventually, the color made its way to the cover of notorious fashion magazines. In the case of Emma Chamberlain for Vogue Australia, Chamberlain wore a Valentino Pink PP custom piece to remind the world that she is a powerful figure in the industry despite her young age.

Pink PP isn’t just a way to play with color, it’s a way to experiment with material and pattern. It can be mesh, it can be sequins, it can be boxy and oversized, and it can be leather or feathery. The idea of it may appear simple, but in actuality, it says a lot. Basically, Pink PP is a blank canvas of opportunity in the world of maximalism. It may seem like people scrambled to snatch the first clothing item/ texture they could find, but it works and looks incredibly expensive. In fact, layering, aka the romanticization of dripping in riches, is the key to pulling this off. There is no doubt that this shade of hot pink is an attention-seeker, it screams power-hungry and it makes an amazing statement piece. Because corporate brands recognize this, they have incorporated hot pink pieces into their repertoires. Clearly, this is the beginning of an electric new trend called monochromatic maximalism.

Although maximalism has been deemed “in,” there was a recent obsession with minimalism across corporate America. Throughout the last decade, we’ve all been taught “less is more.” Maximalism’s predecessor minimalism consisted of pretty pastels and neutrals; a way to express innocence and cleanliness through clothing. Sure it’s chic and put together, but it’s basic, it’s meant for blending in with society. This results in the loss of true self-expression, you can’t truly express yourself as a minimalist. Once maximalism came into play, all bets were off the table. People began experimenting with layering and texture as a way to express themselves through clothing. No outfit is identical to the next. This is the best part about maximalism, the individual aspect where people can really embody a “you-do-you” look. There is so much room for variety involving colors, patterns, and even materials which allows them to find a fine line between what is comfortable for them and what can get them out of their comfort zone. People gravitate towards certain colors depending on their moods, but Valentino’s Pink PP campaign was designed in order for people to realize bright colors exude both confidence and success. This color allows anyone to transform into the most dominant person in the room. If minimalism is considered neutral and pastels, then maximalism is all about bringing extravagant colors back to clothing. Anything eye-catching and bold is deemed irresistible.

How is “monochromatic’’ the new form of maximalism when maximalism is all about creative self-expression? That’s the thing, head-to-toe monochrome outfits challenge the minds of fashionistas. They must play with this specific idea of duality, aka, shapes and textures. This allows people to delve into what they appreciate about their identity, whether that is through something as small as materials or as big as outfit structure. People, regardless of gender, race or class, can use monochromatic maximalism to feel seen in the world. Taking one specific color and building on it through layering varieties of clothing creates this grand twist to the term “maximalism.”

Take Rihanna’s iconic Super Bowl LVII outfit. The superstar entered and exited on a 60ft raised platform— a bright red firecracker in a Loewe jumpsuit with a custom molded breastplate blanketed in a leather maxi puffer coat by Alaïa. From head to toe, Riri sported an electric shade of red, proving that she is not a force to be reckoned with.

This is the whole idea: it forces people to pay attention to you. It may just be one specific color, but it has many materials, a collaboration of styles, textures, heritages, and versatility. This is just the beginning of the monochromatic maximalism movement.

DESIGNER

EMMA MCGONIGLE

PHOTOGRAPHED BY

SALLY FINNIN

ART DIRECTOR

MIRA EAGAN

WRITTEN BY SYVLVIA DAVIDOW

Playlist Connoisseur

ANNA CARRILLO

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