Avant-guard designer Hussein Chalayan showed his first collection for Vionnet Spring 2014 Couture this past week in Paris.
Chalayan said that his inspiration was industrial architecture. It was hard to miss the elements that directly correlated to the inspiration. Makeshift stairs going down dresses and blueprint-printed designs all spoke to the idea of architecture.
Another element that can be seen in the making this Vionnet Spring 2014 Couture collection was the use of sheer mateirals, and how layering them can be used to make different effects. The best example of this is some of the dresses at the beginning of the show were made of sheer material. Different parts of the fabric had different layers of materials and were more or less transparent depending on the layers. This use of gradual transparency was used to create memorable and show-stopping designs.
Sheer Architecture-Inspired Couture
The Vionnet Spring 2014 Couture Collection Dazzled in Paris
Trend Themes
1. Architecture-inspired Couture - The inspiration from industrial architecture serves as an opportunity for the fashion industry to innovate and create new designs that are not just aesthetically pleasing, but also functional and sustainable.
2. Sheer Material Layering - The use of sheer materials and layering them to create varying levels of transparency can be adopted by the fashion industry to create edgy and avant-garde designs that redefine beauty.
3. Industrial Blueprint Prints - The use of industrial blueprint prints in fashion can be a disruptive innovation opportunity for industries to create sustainable fashion by upcycling industrial waste and scraps into luxurious apparel.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion Industry - The fashion industry can benefit from these trends by incorporating them into their designs and marketing strategies to cater to a more niche customer base.
2. Architecture Industry - The architecture industry can explore collaborative opportunities with the fashion industry to create functional and sustainable fashion utilizing sustainable and innovative materials
3. Manufacturing Industry - The manufacturing industry can leverage these trends to innovate the production process of fashion and explore alternative materials to contribute to a more sustainable fashion industry.