Pull Out Those T-Shirts...Mixed Media in Fashion is In!

Monday 01st of March 2010 04:31:48 PM

Pull Out Those T-Shirts...Mixed Media in Fashion is In!

In the fashion industry, the large designer houses have tended to rule the roost when it comes to setting trends. But the recession is leading to a number of changes in industries and fashion is no exception. It seems that Marni is becoming the leader in fashion styling for a scaled back industry through the use of mixed media.

Mixed media clothing refers to clothing that uses a variety of materials and trim to create new looks. Inexpensive materials can be incorporated and that suits the current money-conscious consumers just fine. Marni has used mixed media as its signature style for many years and now other larger fashion houses are following suit. Though you won’t find inexpensive t-shirts or polo shirts on the Milan runways, you will find fur or leather trim.

Designers using mixed media during the Milan fashion show include Gucci, Botegga Veneta, Jil Sander, Gianfranco Ferre, and Versace. It’s an impressive list of designers who are trying to offer stunning fashions at a reduced price. Using mixed media enables the clothing to be made using less of the expensive material by replacing sections with inexpensive materials. There is another advantage to this kind of styling too. The mixing of materials enables the outfit to be worn during the day or the evening.

Marni’s mixed media styling has enabled the company to survive 18 months of a difficult recession while some of the other designers, like Christian LaCroix, had to file bankruptcy. Marni currently has 90 stores worldwide and is planning on opening new boutiques in Singapore and China in 2010. Consumers who want to have some fun, but can’t afford even the scaled back designer clothing, can wear their tees with elegant skirts. That seems like mixed media…in a scaled back kind of way. It’s all in fun on the runway so why not have some fun at home?