Applying surrealist themes to product development for SS24 and AW24-25
Surrealism's second coming
Surrealism is an art movement that originated in the 1920's and was spearheaded by artists like Salvador Dali, Rene Magritte and Picasso.
An exciting period where creatives looked for new realities and explored the meaning of dreams, hallucinations and sought escapism after the trauma of the first world war.
Today we are also experiencing troubling financial times and are still recovering globally from the effects of the pandemic.
Industry professionals are drawing parallels between the current social climate and the original Surrealist movement as we witness a noticeable shift towards expression, creativity and ingenuity.
Consumers are once again seeking out creative ways to protest, demonstrate self-expression and an escape from the constraints of the past few years.
Surrealism and modern fashion
The surrealist art form is inspired by theories of psychoanalysis, memories, madness and the conscious and unconscious mind.
The power of humour and the willingness to push boundaries formed the basis of this creative period that was radical in it's time.
Modern designers and fashion houses such as Schiaparelli, Moschino, Victor and Rolf and Jeremy Scott are all experimenting with looks that celebrate oddness and the whimsical with a tongue-in-cheek spirit.
Recent catwalks showcased twists on classic silhouettes, intricate sculpture and irrational visions, finding magic and beauty in the unexpected, the disregarded and the unconventional.
Experimental print and pattern design
Pattern mixes, ombre sprays, facial features and reptile skin distortions are key print directions that feature in surrealist inspired themes.
Surreal textures and surface interest
Tactile and 3D surface texture including ruching, pleating and hair fringe demonstrate the diverse ways that surrealist themes can be applied to modern fashion products.
About Tiffany Hill
Tiffany Hill is a fashion trend forecaster, providing established brands, studios and designers with seasonal fashion trend insights.
After enjoying over two decades of success as a fashion designer for major UK retailers, she now delivers trend information in an easy to understand, actionable format.
With her craft and eye for detail as a designer, and her curiosity and vision as a fashion forecaster, she sells digital trend books to over 2000 clients across 40 countries in every corner of the globe.
Tiffany’s specialist blend of design, vision and creative thinking helps fashion brands become the authority within a competitive industry.
She has over 65,000 followers across social media and her insights have been featured in British Heritage and Yorkshire Living magazines as well as on Euronews and other news platforms.
Tiffany understands that fashion moves fast and enables fashion professionals to stay relevant in an ever-changing marketplace.
Tiffany lives in West Yorkshire, UK with her husband and beloved pug “Queenie”. She has grown-up twins – a daughter and a son, who are also successful in their chosen fields.
