I have recently stumbled upon blogger Ivania Carpio upon the Interweb, and all I can say is that I am completely amazed with what she's achieved through her minimalist approach to clothing. I've been aware of minimalist fashion, but I never really cared for it until leafing through multiple pages of her blog. She's introduced to me a style that takes away all the extravagance of fashion, leaving only the bare necessities of the garment. Perhaps a quote from Amy Spindler, who wrote in article in the New York Times about minimalism in fashion, will represent these thoughts best:
"Minimalism is best described not by what it is, but by what it lacks.
There's no lace. No tulle. No fringe. No flouncy tiers. No rows of
pleats. For those who subscribe, it is defined the way obscenity ofter
is: they know it when they see it."
Paraphrasing words I read a long time ago, minimalism is never simple. Despite seemingly boring with such a restricted color palette, the devil is really in all the details. Taking away the frivolous aspect of these garments leaves us with something that can be truly called an art piece. The focus is on textures and shapes and lines, all of which can sometimes be hidden by flashy prints and overt trends.
Ivania Carpio is quite the crafty girl as well, creating several DIY projects for her readers and online websites to which she contributes. Some examples include a clutch made from VHS boxes, and a hairy purse using hair extensions. Looking at her photos, her home is also minimally decorated, with white brick walls and plain lightbulbs used as lamps.
Although I doubt I'd adhere to such a minimalist wardrobe in its entirety, she has definitely influenced me to purchase basic pieces based on fit and versatility. I really do love the girl.
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| all images excluding header via Ivania Carpio |
