11.02.2010

Minimalist Maximalism

It's funny how certain garments have a reputation for one thing or another.  Take sequins, the trampy Aunt Louise of the happy wardrobe family.

Now, I should fully disclose that I have a sequin buying addiction.  The more sequins the merrier, and this isn't necessarily a good thing (The greater the mass of sequins, the larger the mess of colors = the more epic the shoulders, and the less likely I'll be able to resist— this is a rule).  Okay, so sequins have this reputation for being over the top, gaudy, excessive, trashy... and of course that's fun and fabulous and who doesn't like looking like a peacock/disco ball on occasion, but my real point here IS: sometimes sequins surprise you!!

I was thinking about this after purchasing this delightful, matte green vintage Arnold Scaasi number.  I hadn't heard of Scaasi when I'd seen the dress (should I be embarrassed?) but it was one of those purchases where everything came together in a crazy alignment of the fashion forces.  I bought the dress because it looked like a heavy sheet of fish-scaled minty texture and it had me actually hyperventilating.  THEN I ran across an article in CONNOISSEUR from July 1984 on Scaasi's work (I will scan this today, it's so good!) and THEN I found out that there's currently a Scaasi exhibition going on at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts through June 2011. Has anyone been to the exhibit? So strange the way things work out sometimes!

Anyway, the Scaasi is what got me thinking about what I'm gonna call "minimalist maximalism."   (Is this a term? I just made it up!) There's so much talk right now about the "minimalist" vibe going around, and I guess I'm not immune to it (hence the crazy talk about gutting my wardrobe?), although I'll always worship at the altar of more is more. Ahhhhhhh, I like interesting things, pretty things, hideous things!! And lots of them.  The idea of living monastically repulses me!  But minimalist sequins (monochromatic sequins, matte sequins, sequin colorblocking??!) ... that's something I can get into.  So I had some fun shooting a couple of looks, green Scaasi included, of minimalism, my way- if you will.





Green sequin dress by Arnold Scaasi, black sequin pants by Rachel Roy, black sequin shirt vintage John Wannamaker, zebra sequin shirt vintage Jeannette for St. Martin 1985, blue sequin dress vintage Richilene, striped maxi layered under zebra F21.

Images and styling by (I)D.

14 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow!

wekilledCOUTURE. said...

The green dress and the blue dress.. oh god.. so good. I love heavy embellishment.. but i love minimalism as well.. so conflicting!

Cali Shabazz said...

In lovewith the blue dress!!The shoes are amazing as always!

joy said...

Beautiful execution, as always. The pieces you choose are so glamorous.

JD
iplayfaves.blogspot.com

Samantha Nandez said...

Yay for sequins! I'm addicted as well, I can't help but buy thinks that can glitter and blink at me from a distance. You have a fabulous sequin collection!

missy s said...

i loveeeeeeee everything here! i love embelishments!!!! they are really gorgeous!! :) lovelove!!

Six Six Sick said...

The green Scaasi dress is gorgeous. Always a fan of vintage Scaasi.

xx
Tiffany

Theresa Cheek said...

You are workin' that zebra! Fabulous look.

Anonymous said...

Luxurious fierce decadence what an amazing post with the most striking imagery gorgeous!

Steph-knee said...

In the zebra photo, when you're wearing the the short stripey skirt, you look like a modern Edie Sedgewick.

Jill said...

I just bought some black sequined palazzo pants. I call them my "Minnellis"!

P.Gaye Tapp at Little Augury said...

now,in RR the modern gigi. that green Scaasi is fantastic, now rush back to the museum vefore anyone notices it's missing.

Unknown said...

hey do you know anything about st martin 1985? i just got an amazing oversize black sequin with white trim sailors jacket

chloe said...

omg sequins overload! but i LOVE it! i spotted a sequin top in a vintage shop the other day but left without buying, hm, you've inspired me to not only go back for it but wear it with all my other sequin stuff together! x

your blog is amazing

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