The school of anti-fashion, or blanks movement, has actually been going on for years, but never really surfacing as much as it has today among more mainstream players, thus calling more attention to this style trend than the players in it ever hoped it would have. It’s a backlash movement. From those sensitives caught in the reactor core of the fast-paced world of fashion that no longer want to play the game as it is. It also comes from a utilitarian vibe of going back to the originals. Seeing style for its fabrics, silhouettes, textures of materials, sustainability, rather than graphics, brand logos, or even color.
Some say that the blanks movement -meaning wearing for example, a dark-colored T-shirt and pants without a single logo on it, cut-off label tag if there even is one, and absolutely no graphics in the entire outfit -is courtesy of American Apparel bringing back the base layers as fundamental apparel. While American Apparel did contribute to the look, they have become a strong brand in and of itself, with a color palette like a box of Crayolas, and styles that change bi-monthly. So there is some crossover in making the blanks movement mainstream via American Apparel, but this was not the original intent of blanks movement fashion players (for whom many feel American Apparel copped their scene).
The real players in the blanks movement are so incredibly original and stylish, they are the quiet leaders of a new cult that simply breeds followers -once they understand the genius of classic understatement. These people are very into high-end fabrics, cashmere, organic cotton, tweeds, linen, silk, and the purest denim, but nothing that is obtuse and outlandish or calls attention in the usual, consumer-driven marketplace we know today. The style and cut of the cloth is what’s important -not the brand. These people may have, say, 3 plain grey wool logo-free sweaters in their wardrobe ordered from prep-school catalogues, white button-up shirts of high quality but understated elegance, T-shirts in grey, white, black, but no graphics whatsoever.
What’s also interesting about this growing movement is the locally produced aspect that goes with the blanks movement. Knowing where the garment is made and the process for which it comes to market, is of great importance, which in many ways, is redefining the traditional concept of “what is fashion.” As more people start to move away from the plethora of tattoo-artistry saturated apparel, nu rave or asymmetrical indie styles and bright colors, you can expect that the blanks movement will gain even more momentum, much to the chagrin of the real fashion players that started it.
