Monochrome // The Bold Fashion Statement

"Black compromises everything. So does white. They posses absolute beauty: they are in perfect harmony." - Coco Chanel

Monochrome is a timeless trend that dates back centuries but more famously brought to life by Coco Chanel around 1926

 with the Little black dress and the Lady Suit. Before this, monochrome was popularised by "The Suit": the male attempt at "getting dressed up" (This made me chuckle!). With black being the traditional colour worn to funerals and white the purity of a matrimonial ceremony, it was uncommon to have the two brought together (unless in uniform) as a fashion statement . In the case of Coco Chanel , she killed two birds with one stone. A legendary fashion statement was made as well as the breaking down of gender stereotypes in fashion . The notion that women could not where suits  (especially the black and white suit traditionally worn by men) was shut down. A win for fashion. A win for the females. ( whoa. I feel my feminism creeping into this post. Ha). The trend paved way for structured, masculine pieces for women as well as bold prints that gave the 1920s mini dresses a twist. Monochrome has always given me a since of edge, a bit of gies to strut my duck walk down that flippen street. Come summer, autum, winter and spring.. monochrome is no trouble fitting into your wardrobe for all the seasons. Mixing and matching different shades of a colour (because we all know monochrome is not just black and white, right ladies and gents?)  to tone you down or give you that edge or even when it's just the easiest thing to put together when you are lazy/late, monochrome will always be your go-to trend.

My top monochrome influences (local and international) have to be :

1. Black Coffee by Jaques van der Watt
The Imprint Summer 2013 range at SA Fashion Week 2013 and his summer 2014 range had monochrome pieces with bold, geometric patterns and print that left me teary-eyed they were so gorgeous !

2. Alexander Wang
Am I the only one who thinks of this genius when I think of monochrome? I shouldnt be. Personally Alexander's monochrome aesthetic is what made me fall head-over-heels in love with his creations.