Color blocking- it’s hip to be fashionably square

Yesterday I got an email from Kate containing the following:

“Is it just me or do these runway models wearing fashions from the the House of Holland look like giant blue paint strips? Or maybe I’m just having a bad dream after spec’ing one too many paint colors.”

source

To which I responded- (1 ) Wow! if this is for real than-yes indeed Henry Holland’s fall 09 collection has taken monochromatic color inspiration to an all new level! His head to toe color blocking is a photo stylist’s and color lover’s dream. And (2) though it’s not a dream, you really should turn off you computer and get some sleep!

But Kate was on to something here for sure. In fact, not since Yves St. Laurent’s ‘Mondrian’ inspired collection of shift dress back in 1965 have the graphic, orderly placement of squared off color been so exciting in fashion as it has been this past year.

vintage pattern available at Etsy.com

Mondrian believed that the planes of color ( he used just the primaries and black and white ) set against the orderly arrangement of lines evoked a sense of balance and simplicity to the viewer. And though some designers today are using a wider and brighter palette of colors then Mondrian used- I have to admit that when set in block shape there really is something amazingly orderly about how these colors work together.

Perhaps it appeals to me for the same reason I love writing on graph paper or appreciate how easy it is to give directions to a lost tourist around the grid pattern that is midtown Manhattan.

runway looks from Gap, Chris Benz, Alexander Wang, John Goot and Michael Kors- images from Style.com

The idea of blocking moves into accessories as well…..focusing not just on the blocks of color but the linear aspect of the shape as well.

shoes from Chanel and bags from Miu Miu, Renaud Pelligreno and Viktor and Rolf

Tory Burch cuffs, bags from DVF and Balenciaga, shoes from Yves St. Laurent ( look like scaffolding- don’t you think) and Dries Van Noten

graph paper inspired fashions from Wunderkind and Dries Van Noten, blocked shoes from Prada and Tory Burch

What do you think about these ‘chip off the old block’ fashions? Too much or just right?

All fashion images from Style.com

Patricia

That pattern brings back all kinds of memories, but most especially of those Yves St. Laurent dresses. The color blocking and linear shapes of today have a modern feel while also evoking images from the sixties.

Love the Micheal Kors dress which I could pair with the Viktor and Rolf bag and either the Yves St. Laurent or Dries Van Noten shoes.

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Kate Smith

I do think mom sewed a few things but I was the one that sewed most of your clothes right from the first size 2T dress and matching ruffled panties for over your diaper to the Christmas dress with the matching look for your Chrissy doll and that oh so cute green dress with the embroidered flowers around the empire waist line.

I started sewing at age ten or eleven so by the time I was sewing for you I was already pretty good and could whip up those little outfits and doll dresses like a pro. Funny that was in my "I think I'm going to be a fashion designer years" before I realized that you were the one blessed with the strong fashion-forward genes and mine were more geared towards classics.

Julie Hoylen

Glad you liked the post Cathy! I love to hear that our blog made you see color in a new way!!!! and- Yes , I loved that pattern so much when I saw it! My mom sewed when I was growing up too!!! Still don't know how she ever found the time....

Cathy

Color has always fascinated me. I took Color Theory in school, where my whole concept of color changed. Thank you for this information. It helps me to think of color in new ways.
Also love the vintage Simplicity pattern! Reminded me of the sewing my Mom did for her little girls!

Color blocking- it’s hip to be fashionably square

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