GRAPHIC GEOMETRIC...

Take a brief look around you; Shapes, lines, patterns, they are everywhere from the architectural design of a building to the structure and silhouette of a tailored suit. And now they can even be seen swanning up and down the catwalks, in the form of graphic geometric prints on a variety of dresses, t-shirts and swimwear, to name a few.

As an artistic industry, it is no wonder fashion exposes a close link with other ‘arts’ and draws inspiration from them; in this case being the postmodern art movement of ‘futurism’, where artists such as Balla and Malevich used a clever composition of repeated line and shape creating bold geometric patterns. This same stylistic approach to patterning can be detected within Alexander McQueen’s spring / summer ’09 collection, where his repetition of diamond and triangular shaped outlines and crafty placing of colour and shading created an almost three dimensional appearance, reminiscent of a dazzling gem.

(Alexander McQueen s/s '09 collection)

However this slant of kaleidoscopic, geometric patterns is nothing new to fashion house, Pucci, who is renowned for it. As his last show as creative director for the brand, Matthew Williamson certainly didn’t disappoint and delivered the classic ‘Pucci print’ in a mass of bold pinks, oranges and blues, which contrastingly sat so perfectly against the dark skin of model, Jourdan Dunn.

(Pucci s/s '09 collection - model: Jourdan Dunn)

This seasonal trend has continued to develop and has already trickled down to the shop floors of the high street. Topshop’s take is a little 80’s with a lot of colourful zig-zagging lines on leggings and daring graphics printed on over sized t-shirts in an array of psychedelic colours. Whilst, brands such as Karen Millen and Dorothy Perkins have kept things simple but sweet, adapting the geometric trend using recurring circular patterns in shades of black and white.

(Topshop's 'Geometric Print' leggings)

Pucci’s answer to Matthew Williamson’s successor, Peter Dundas, states that he will carry on this trend into next season, as it is essentially the heritage of the brand. Plus, perhaps a striking pattern and bright colour is what fashion needs right now, avoiding the ‘recession doom and gloom’ that has clouded us all for far too long now. “It isn’t right for Pucci to do a low key collection in these times” Dundas proclaims, “In fact I think we have an advantage right now, because when times are tough, you want some sunshine, no?”

CHECK IT OUT...

-Make sure you take a trip to the Tate Modern in London’s Bankside and visit the ‘futurism’ exhibition (beginning in June I believe) to familiarise yourself with the ‘original geometric trend’.
www.tate.org.uk/modern

-Graphic designer turned musician, M.I.A’s ‘Kala’ album art work (designed by herself) resembles the spring / summer trend with its bold use of colour and repetitive patterns.
Buy here: http://shop.miauk.com

-Barcelona’s most fabulous piece of modern architecture, the Flower Market’s, outer exterior is compiled of various multi coloured stripes, bearing different directions to create interesting geometric patterns, decorating the side of the building.
Antigua de Valencia, número 1, Barcelona.

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