Maximal Trends for Fall 2012

I might be getting a bit ahed of myself, as its only the beginning to Fall 2011, but I'm already getting excited for the trends of Fall 2012! [This could be because this Fall's trends are immensely tiring. Preppy? Been there, rocked that.] On Donegar Groups Fall / Winter 2012 / 2013 Presentation, four general trends are explored: Backwoods, Artisan, Film Noir, and Maximal.

Film Noir Editorial in Vogue July 2011.

Backwoods seems a bit too woodsy / tribal-esque for my taste, and its hard to get excited about Artisan when we just finished a neverending Spring / Summer season of boho-chic hell. Film noir definitely seems interesting, but I couldn't imagine going out in public like that on a daily basis. The luxe look [right] involves wayyy too many pieces to be considered attainable for the average NYC gal.

Now Maximal -- That's what I'm interested in. With my obsessive, all-or-nothing personality, the maximal trend illustrates the extremes of all fashion trends: Neo-expressionism, new Retro, Play, Chroma Scope, and Girlish Charm. Rather than a wide range of on-trend accessories needed [Film Noir], Maximalism depends on a few standout pieces. And of course, the more, the better.

Now, love her or hate her, Katy Perry is probably the best representation of the Maximal trend. She loves to go all out with her outfits and accessories, which is really the only way to essentially capture the trend.

Here are a few of Katy's Looks that accurately represent each variation of maximalism:

NEO-EXPRESSIONISM: Katy Perry performs with Nicki Minaj and Keri Hilson.

"Neo-expressionism emerged in the late 70s and 80s as a reaction to minimal precedents. Bored with the work or their predecessors, artists filled their work with color, patterns, and symbols that reflected the mayhem and vibrancy of the downtown New York they called home."

NEW RETRO: Katy Perry wears a 50s-inspired silhouette.

"Campaigns, ads, and packaging are swinging toward a retro innocence and adding modern digital technology into recreated analog designs."

PLAY: Katy Perry adds playfulness to her performance with a Manish Arora merry-go-round dress.

"Photographer Yusuke Suzuki has created a bed to look like an oversized book. At night it is opened for sleepy heads and during the day it is closed to create space. This incorporates play into a necessary task, like sleep."

GIRLISH CHARM: Katy Perry's girlish charm shines through with her pastels, classic silhouettes, and youthful umbrella.

CHROMA-SCOPE: Everything from Katy's outfit is larger than life -- her hair,  the bold cut of the dress, and the glitter.

[This is blog post number 2 from my Creative Fashion Presentations class at FIT. If you're not from FIT, feel free to comment anyways! All quotes from Donneger.]