Give Me More, Less is a Bore: A Maximalist Guide to Fashion
Creative Director: Tara Watson | Photographers: @picsbypixi & @bykeyonnabutler | Model: Tara Watson
Maximalism, where the motto is ‘more is more’, and aesthetic excess brings eccentric stylists together. You can never go wrong when living in the maximalist world, where unapologetic styling choices make the best outfits. Vivid colors, funky patterns, bold silhouettes, and various textures assist maximalists to build an eccentric outfit from start to the final touches. The foundation of maximalism is to blend traditional and modern pieces and layer outfits with various garments and accessories that are colorful, eccentric, and childlike.
At the beginning of 2020, the pandemic had started, and everyone was inside their homes for months. I took this time to experiment with my wardrobe to combat the boredom I was feeling. Feeling secure in my own home, I felt as though trying out a new persona through my wardrobe was the exact adventurous feeling I needed to surpass the pandemic. Through this opportunity, I was able to find my passion and express myself as a vibrant creative during confinement and isolation. A sense of community was also another aspect I felt through the pandemic where other like-minded Individuals could share these emerging passions just as I have. I have felt the most confident in myself since I joined the maximalist community and have been comforted by the maximalist community on social media and those I have met in person.
FRUiTS @ FDR
Photographer: @bykeyonnabutler
This outfit was inspired by Japanese street fashion, specifically Shoichi Aoki’s book FRUiTS. These images were inspired by elements of Tokyo’s Harajuku mid-1990s fashion. This outfit combines secondhand and alternative styles in an innovative DIY approach to dressing. This photo shoot is set at FDR Skatepark in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The skatepark, located beneath the overpass of I-95, is adorned by an ever-changing collection of bright and bold tags and art that makes for an engaging visual experience. Being a maximalist in this chaotic, colorful paradise allows for a more dynamic photo. This outfit was centered around the bold eye-catching multicolor flower-patterned jumpsuit. Underneath was a long sleeve white mock neck top with a hole pattern all over. Layered over the jumpsuit were the yellow tulle skirt and the green pleated skirt. Accessories that can be seen are the yellow zigzag striped tie, the long silver overexaggerated chain, the two black belts with silver details, and the black bikini top layered over the skirts to define the waist. Lastly, large white boots were paired with the outfit to stand out from the background and the outfit.
Purple Haze
Photographer: @picsbypixi
Purple Daze, the outfit I have put together, is based on vibrant purple hues, bold black and white patterns, and light flowy textures that add to the outfit. In this outfit I am wearing layered skirts, one that is zebra patterned and the other a white tulle skirt that was placed underneath. Then, I added a fitted purple corset over the skirts. On top of that, I added a cropped white long-sleeved button up that is buttoned at the top and tucked into the corset at the bottom. Each accessory was placed with intention; Starting with the white hair bow that was tucked into the top of the corset, the thrifted small white and purple child's tie that was velcroed under the collar of the white button up shirt, the black wire necklace with pearls, and the dice earrings. The hair was styled in my signature hairstyle, the high messy space buns with silver hair clips that ranged in size. The base makeup was neutral as well as the lip shade; however, the eye look consisted of a variety of purple shades that stretched across the lids and cheeks and brushed across the bridge of the nose for added dime.