THE BLUEPRINT

HeLLo, Mr.roGerS

Fashion has been used as a vessel to exude power and confidence throughout history. From extravagant designs or simply wearing specific colors, people have leaned on fashion to exude confidence from within. The genre of style that radiates waves of power the most intensely is monochrome. Historically, monochromatic fashion has been exhibited through the colors of red and black, especially in the wear of professional suits, dresses, and lingerie. These colors are commonly associated with power, sex appeal, and most importantly, confidence. Nevertheless, monochrome continues to evolve thanks to an array of special designers.

Monochromatic styles have survived the test of time, as they have been a closet staple of the rich and powerful through history. Pivoting to the modern day fashion climate, we are seeing the emergence of monochromatic looks permeating into the closets of the average individual. Society no longer sees monochrome pieces styled exclusively through men’s suits and womens dresses, but instead portrayed in every-day street fashion that is catered towards non-business professionals as well.

As the trend pendulum moves towards monochromatic styles, designer Christopher John Rogers has found concrete footing within this realm. Known for his elaborate and colorful designs, twenty-seven year old Baton Rouge native Christopher John Rogers initially found inspirations for his designs in an unconventional, unexpected environment: him and his grandmother’s hometown church. As a young child observing his fellow church-goers, he noticed how monochromatism reigned supreme as everyone sported one singular color from head-to-toe. Following the astute observations, Rogers was then enrolled in a school art program where his unblossomed potential for design was piqued. Almost twenty years later, he has taken all of his past experiences and manipulated them into creative expressions that have awarded him with prestigious accolades.

But what about Rogers is special? Why did he stand out amongst the plethora of young designers dying for a glimpse of publicity and recognition. Well, one swift batting of the eyelashes towards his collections answers the question. His designs have layers. They’re not just colorful and bold in nature, but they have stature, thoughtful complexity, and most importantly, they have boundless creativity woven within the seams. His garments are striking, and at first glance they punch you in the eye, shocked by the beautiful structure and confusing simplicity of the designs. The designer spotlight swings towards Rogers for an array of reasons that is even difficult to articulate through prose. Rogers is a trailblazer in the making. He emulates the future of monochrome and the ability of the style to evolve through the ever-changing fashion climate. His designs don’t only interest you, they intrigue you through the evocation of emotions that is rarely seen in fashion today. Most importantly, his designs make you feel confident and powerful. Rogers is a man of many talents, and his designs have accomplished more than impressing the masses. He has influenced the re-emergence of this style in an novel, innovative approach. His monochromatic styles are not based on the historical influence of other designers. Instead, he has taken his grandma’s inspiration and created a whole new sub-genre of the style. Not only does he design beautiful formal wear, but also clothes that are meant to be worn in every scenario. His pieces are meant to instill confidence in his consumers for any situation they are located in.

Innovation is power, and Rogers has started his novel career already pushing the constraints of normalcy and establishing a name for himself. His past clients include some of the most influential people in the world: Kamala Harris, Beyonce, Lizzo, the list could go on. As monochromatic fashion continues to progress, it will be exciting to see how Christopher Rogers will continue to define the style and advance his career.