How to recognize the avant-garde style in clothing

There are many trends in modern fashion. Some blindly imitate catwalk collections, others, in an effort to create their own, unique style, only focus on fashion trends, highlighting something important for themselves.

One of the most outstanding and extraordinary trends in the fashion world can be called avant-garde style. The catwalk images created in it can hardly be tried on in everyday life - they are so extravagant and even shocking. But, knowing its basic concept, having desire, as well as a certain courage, you can interpret it “for yourself”, using only some characteristic elements to create an image. To do this, let's try to understand the features of the style.

A little history

The word of French origin “avant-garde” is familiar to many. This originally military term denoted a branch of troops located on the front line, whose task was to inflict damage on the enemy with all their might and break through his defenses. Later, this concept began to be used in art - in painting and architecture.Today it has acquired the status of a household name and is used as a designation of advanced achievements in any field.

Fashion historians conventionally date the appearance of this style of clothing and accessories to the 60s of the last century. Its founder is considered to be Pierre Cardin, who created the legendary collection of space-themed outfits. It was dedicated to the launch of the first artificial satellite.

Subsequently, Cardin repeatedly returned to using this extraordinary approach to creating clothes. He was known for his ability to combine incongruous items and take an unconventional approach to designing outfits.

Among couturiers, there is no designer who would create only within the framework of the avant-garde style, but many famous fashion designers love and appreciate this fashion trend. Therefore, from time to time they demonstrate extravagant collections, literally imbued with the spirit of avant-gardeism.

Features of the style and its prominent representatives

How can you characterize avant-garde style? First of all, he does not accept generally accepted standards and familiar stereotypes. Everything in it - from the materials used and cut options to additional details of the image - attracts attention with its unusualness. In an effort to move away from the usual reality, designers often create clothes by mixing different, sometimes polar, fashion trends.

Features of the style include:

• use of various geometric shapes, creation of non-standard silhouettes;
• strict symmetry or its complete absence - the cut of outfits can demonstrate the emphasized identity of the constituent elements or, conversely, contain asymmetrical details;
• catchiness of shades and their unusual combinations - contrasting, non-standard combinations are often used in the colors of outfits;
• the use of unusual materials and the combination of different textures - this can be plastic, metal, oilcloth, which are the main material of the outfit or combined with fabrics;
• bright, noticeable accessories - without them the image cannot be fully perceived.

The extravagance and versatility of the style attracts many famous fashion designers. Some of the most prominent creators of avant-garde collections include:

• Vivienne Westwood;
  

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• Norma Kamali;
  

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• Zandra Rhodes;
  

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• Reya Kawakubo;
  

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• Garetha Pugh;
  

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• Alexander McQueen;
  

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• Yohji Yamamoto.
  

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Avant-garde style trends in clothing

The versatility of the manifestations of innovative style in clothing led to the emergence of three of its varieties. They are united by a common desire for originality, but differ in the way it is achieved. This:

1. Minimalism. Features: simplicity of silhouette, restraint of cut lines, moderation in details. The outfits of this fashion trend are characterized by either monochromatic clothing in combination with an original cut, or simplicity of form in combination with bright colors. The features of this particular type of style are most suitable for use in everyday looks.
   

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2. Deconstructivism. As the name suggests, the peculiarity of this fashion trend is the unusual designs and cut options, the use of non-standard materials and the use of the latest technologies in the creation of clothing. Outfits in this style can be multi-layered, contain asymmetrical elements, and have raw edges.
   

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3. Conceptualism. Clothes in this style can be called a work of art, embodying the most daring and original ideas of the master. It is conceptualism that allows us to demonstrate to the greatest extent the individuality and traits inherent in a particular person. To create such outfits, as a rule, a combination of fabrics and unusual materials is used.
   

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How to create a masculine or feminine avant-garde look

As a rule, the “total” avant-garde can only be seen in catwalk outfits. To create an everyday look, you should use only characteristic elements that are unusual and eye-catching.

The men's arsenal for creating an avant-garde outfit looks more modest than the women's. To combine elements of the image, basic wardrobe items are used with non-standard eye-catching elements.

For example, a classic jacket may be equipped with a massive zipper instead of buttons or have asymmetrical cut details. Any familiar wardrobe element - top or bottom - becomes avant-garde if it is of non-standard length or contains unusual elements, for example, voluminous sleeves, large patch pockets, inserts contrasting in texture and color, or unusual prints.

Innovative clothing style for women is the choice of the most daring. Examples of avant-garde wardrobe items:

• dresses of extreme shapes and with unusual decorative options - asymmetrical cut, with raw edges, voluminous details in the shoulders, chest, buttocks or waist, ultra-short or incredibly long;
• skirts of unusual length, on frames, with spectacular trains;
• jackets with voluminous or sleeves of different lengths, asymmetrical hem;
• any outfits with contrasting combinations of colors and textures, abstract, unusual prints, eye-catching accessories.
  

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Integral elements of an avant-garde look are shoes of original design (with unusual heels or platforms) and voluminous, noticeable accessories. These may include unusual and complex jewelry designs, original bags, and glasses.

The skillful use of characteristic elements of avant-garde style when combining wardrobe items will allow you to fully reveal your individuality. When creating an unusual image, it is worth remembering: demonstrating your originality does not mean wearing whatever you have to. All wardrobe elements should be “in theme”. Avant-garde should not be excessive, otherwise you will not look original, but simply funny.