Anyone who knows me, knows I am a huge lover of the colour black. Its symbolism heavily influences my design work and so for my first post I thought I would pay homage to the great colour.
What is it about black that has fashion enthusiasts obsessed and wanting more? The colour black has been regarded as a staple colour in both men and women's closests throughout history, dating all the way back to antiquity, where black was associated with death and mourning. Black has been linked to seduction, elegance, death and the macabre genre.
Black and Elegance
Black to this day is generally associated with elegance and sophistication thanks to the iconic fashion designer, Coco Chanel, who popularised "The Little Black Dress". Its dark hue combined with a simplistic cut created a demure look that contrasted the fashions of the time.
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Black and Seduction and the Macabre
Black has been commonly linked with ideas of seduction and eroticism, popularised by the Gothic subculture through its association with fetishism - evoking images of things such as corsetry and leather.
The goth subculture is involved in all things macabre, which the fashion industry has become entranced with - going back to its roots. It seems that many designers such as the late Alexander McQueen, Ann Demeulemeester, Viktor and Rolf and Gareth Pugh have all created intriguing, dark collections inspired by the eerie and grotesque elements of this genre.
Below is Alexander McQueen's spectacular Merry-go-round Autumn/Winter 2001-2 Collection. Here McQueen showcased the darker side of the circus as models paraded in black and white clown make-up.... if you don't find clowns a little weird and scary, you might after this collection!
Ann Demeulemeester Spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear caged Bird Collection - a take on the idea of women as caged birds
Gareth Pugh Fall 2009 Ready-to Wear Collection - sci-fi meets the underground
Am <3 -ing your blog's concept! Very original.
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