New Digital Aesthetic = Pure Genius

Written by Chelsea Candelario, FIT Hot Topics Summer Intern.

While browsing through WGSN.com, I came across three collections of Fashion Forecast. I was completely drawn by the detailed clothing that matched the similarity of objects and themes. New Digital Aesthetic, Next Nature, and Neo-Geo all present a different side of something completely out of the ordinary and new for Spring/Summer ’14.

One of the collections I looked into was New Digital Aesthetic. They were inspired by the online culture of design. The digital ideas are put upon the construction and colors of the designs. Four themes that struck out with N.D.A are Preppy Pixel, Digital Fantasy, Cyber Strange, and Chemical Cartoon.

Preppy Pixel present designs that look like it could have been created on a computer. It brings on a ‘nerd quality’ giving colors that are simple such as black, white, blue, and grey.  Most of the attire consists of suits and layered women wear.

However, as I go through the slides, the theme shifts. It becomes more colorful. Blue, green, and red come together like I never seen before. The colors are either coming together or staying independent. The frequent show of blocks and pixel-like shapes still make their comeback to present the modern world of technology quality.

As I looked through Digital Fantasy, I stepped into a world unlike my own. The designs are out of this world. It starts off with bright neon colors and move to serene pastel colors. Fabrics such as wool and sheer become used for a two-piece assemble, over the knee dresses and complicated shirts. Characteristics of technology inspire the intricate details of these garments to bring out a unique feel of living in the digital 21st century.

Cyber Strange lives up to its name. Sleeveless suits and open up heels have presented themselves on the slides.  At first, I was confused and wondering why would anyone want to wear that? Then I sat back, a smile on my face, and think ‘This is Fashion after all’. This theme breaks all the rules of understanding where and how it was made. It’s the art portrait you enjoy, but can’t quite understand.

Chemical Cartoon is the last theme to N.D.A. It’s like stepping on a bridge between imagination and reality. So many bright colors splattered on to fabrics. You can literally spot one of these garments from a mile away. All sorts of colors and prints put together to give in a fun child-like quality. The three-piece suit filled with bright summery colors followed by stripes endlessly parading the garment or the patches of colors mixed in with floral prints that remind me you of the picnic day in June.

As if the colors were going to stop, it gets even more bold and electrifying with different shades of pink and purple covering the clothes. Also introducing light pastel colors such as periwinkle, baby blue, green, and yellow. Sticking to the theme of Cartoons, a charming picture of Kermit is plastered on one of the sweaters.

Looking through the slides it gave me the urge to grab a sketchbook and sketch a design, something I haven’t done since I left high school.