T he steady streaming of collections for 2018 Resort have yet to fully pour forth, but more are coming in and are giving an interesting perspective on the bridge between the familiar and innovation. This blog has long predicted the gradual shift as we approach the 2020s, where our full 21st century identity will be realized via new minds that take the creative helm, and part of that process is increasing experimentation with all past innovations with the hopes of nailing what that future voice will be. Of course, it will be those with no connection to the past century whatsoever who have mastered their creative streak and honour their unique voice that will laugh for the least familiar of past influences. Just as it was a century ago, it will be exciting for us to see this shift unfold with greater awareness (and more intense documentation).
Right now, the 90s and 2000s seem to be more dominant, although the 2000s is a cheat; it contained a lot of trashy and, frankly, lazy design that rehashed the past in crude mashups out of comfort, so really the last innovations came courtesy of the 90s taking on 80s spirit with innovation in textiles and colours from a celebratory body-con slant.
This time around, we embrace sport just as the 90s did while toying with minimalism, 80s layering and late 20th century rule breaking in cuts and assembly while maintaining familiar silhouettes, with the 2000s portion of past embrace being the subconscious inspiration; our current world is still too scary to not have a security blanket.
The athleisure, minimalism and familiar cuts also speak of 90s economy. After the huge shakeup that designers faced when economies took huge hits in the late 80s/early 90s it was important to make clothes that people would actually invest in for longer-term wear. Clothes that appeal to function reigned higher in the 90s until we got our moxy back. It is this courage and tentative security coupled with a few years of creative independence supported in individual design approaches that allows for innovation to continue, albeit it is the balance that is being worked through. Some collections are more pragmatic while others allow for creative exploration, but again the balancing act is what is coming across in the collections so far.
As more collections come forth, we shall see how much, and which parts of the world, are feeling braver and which ones are taking the safe route into the future. Either way, the offerings are proving their worth while watching for further signs of what 2018 is meant to be.