Angry Patterns- Is The Economy Driving Designers A Little Crazy?

Written by Julie Hoylen on September 14, 2009 · 6 Comments

I wish I had some exciting news colorwise to report from last nights VMA’s ( though Taylor and Beyonce both appearing in red after the Kanye debacle did feel a little like synchronicity!) but all and all after a quick run through of the photos- to me, most of the fashions were as ridiculous as the show itself. Even Style.com’s Candy Pratt Price took the time to phone in a scathing review- declaring that she and her designer friends walked out half way through the night ( based on the lull of the show and bad behavior of some- not the fashions, I must add).

t and b

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Taylor and Beyonce- partners in both an odd scandal and the color red

But there was one interesting trend that I did notice this week emerging from NY- a bevy of looks featuring bold black marks, lines and smudges mixed within colorful patterns and solids. Prints that seem a bit aggressive, a bit subliminal- stranger then the ‘arty’ painterly versions of seasons past.

Jason-Wu

Tattoo you at Jason Wu

derek lam

boned out corset at Derek Lam

ralph rucci

literal body art at Ralph Rucci

smudged at Toni Maticevski

tell me what do you see- ink blot like at Thakoon

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fierce mildew at Christian Sirano

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smeared at Cynthia Rowley

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even the guys are not immune- strange camo at Phillip Lim

When I spotted it on Victoria Beckham ( during Thursday’s Fashion’s Night Out) and then on Drew Barrymore at the VMAs I knew maybe I was on to something.

tatoo-1

somewhere between lace tattoos and a Rorshach Test-Drew’s zingy Alexander McQueen is sure to get lots of ‘Fashion Police’ attention

tatoo

Victoria forgoes her demure dresses as of late, for this Giles ‘attention getting’ number

Are designers having a bit of an artistic ‘hissy fit’- a printed outlet of all of the pressure they all must be having due to the ever sinking economy. What do you think? Cathartic, pretty or just plain strange?

images from Style.com, NYmag.com and Eonline.com

send flowers peru

Nice Post ! Great idea!

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Maria Killam

It's too much pattern for me that's for sure, but I'm not a big pattern person in the first place! Interesting article!
.-= Maria Killam´s last blog ..Interview with Colour Expert; Jane Hall =-.

Patricia

I'm not seeing these as aggressive, rather attention-getting. Everyone needs a hook and if they can get you to look, maybe they can get you to buy. For example Drew's dress really caught my eye (not that I could help their bottom line by buying it) - I love the tattoo, it's both beautiful and kind of tribal.

But I do agree with Leona's frustration because the shapes and colors are really all over the place. At times it feels like they have little kids doing the styling, putting all kinds of colors and pieces together just because they liked each of them or because they were the first items they pulled out of the drawer . . .

Leona Gaita

Are the designers displaying aggression, expressing OUR frustration, or just trying really hard to get attention?! The strangeness factor may arise from desperation.

And the shapes are ALL OVER THE PLACE! When you're shopping, and trying to come up with a cohesive look, it can be very confusing. The advantage is, due to the mishmash, there's something for everyone, if you can wade through it!

Walking out of an awards show on account of bad clothes seems a little extreme...I mean, did the clothes smell bad?

Great critique Julie. I really appreciate that you don't just swallow whole everything that's being put out there.
.-= Leona Gaita´s last blog ..Comment on Furniture Carved By Nature by Beaman the Interiors Chap =-.

april

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Drew Barrymore dress...it's so strange and beautiful. It looks like tattoos from Figi, something from Tron, and art nouveau lace all at once. And Taylor Swift looks smashing in her red dress.