SCANDI STYLE MINI MALISM

Looking To The Future Of Fashion

Minimalism is the ideology of reducing and decreasing all aspects of life. In the 1960s in New York, minimalism began when a group of artists rejected the traditional forms with their own artwork. The idea of minimalism originated in painting and sculpting and then flowed into other mediums, such as a lifestyle trend or fashion statement. Minimalism itself has always been contracted from the social culture and major events of the time, having its initial rise in Western art during the postwar era, but it typically fluctuates with technological improvements and economic cycles. Minimalism can even be traced back to the Women’s Rights Movement. As women fought for the right to vote and have their stand in the workplace, the need for practical clothing was demanded. This more masculine and practical look was embraced by Chanel in the 1930s but later was overcome by hyper-femininity in the 1980s due to backlash against feminism in the 1950s.

When looking at minimalism in fashion, form, fabric, and reductionism are the most important. Many would associate minimalist fashion to blazers, a monotone palette, and a crisp aura to your look. Minimalism itself works to reject the quarrels and hardships that come with fast fashion. Fast fashion is proven to cause widespread water pollution through cheap and toxic dyes, textile waste, and abuse to the hardworking and underpaid employees.

With the climate of today being geared towards getting more at a cheaper price, advertisers take advantage of the fear of missing out on trends. Therefore, advertisers then push the boundaries of consumerism and force their customers into a corner, making them want to stay with what is new. Minimalism focuses on quality over quantity and helps push back against fast fashion and its downfalls, pushing for customers to live a more sustainable lifestyle and truly love each piece in their own personal collection.

There is also no denying minimalism partakes in breaking gender stereotypes. As aforementioned, minimalism can be traced back to the Women’s Rights Movement; it also works toward more gender-neutralized clothing. It challenged original perceptions of what it means to be alluring in fashion and removed the aspect of sensation being deprived from the aspect of either covering up or revealing skin. This revamp can be traced back to Japanese designers, such as Issey Miyake and Rei Kawakubo. Following in these footsteps, designers such as Donna Karan and Calvin Klein had design directives focused on comfort and ease for working women. This version of minimalism in the 1990s was different from before, as it was concentrated on the female body rather than the actual clothes themselves, contrasting itself to the Japanese version of minimalism. Scandinavian minimalism is geared towards functionality and calmness, similar to that of the 1990s in the West.

Scandinavian minimalism does not only transcend through fashion but is a lifestyle take: focusing on simplicity, quality, and practicality. It is specifically different from standardized minimalism due to the natural aspect, as it is especially focused on a connection to nature. Its recent uprising, similar to the previously mentioned trends, is a result of the political and economic culture of the time. As the political climate is beginning to ramp up, this fashion and lifestyle trend encourages the people to slow down and move towards simpleness. There is no denying minimalism’s development throughout the years, as it has become a lifestyle choice as well as a statement. As trends continue to develop over time, minimalism will be transformed to continue pushing people to focus on the quality and austerity in daily life.

WRITTEN BY

HAILEY ROOSE