simplicity is overrated
details from John Galliano 2008 spring couture show
Most compliments I get regarding my choice of clothing are followed by a disclaimer. ‘Ooh, very interesting combination! I’d never wear anything like that though. But it looks great on you! 
’ This might be explained away by the fact that I’m a firm believer in wearing patterns with patterns. Or the fact that no one has ever convinced me that stripy stockings don’t go with office skirt suits. In truth, I don’t mind the fact that most of my co-workers, family and friends think I dress like a mad woman. Looking bright is feeling bright, and the only way to fight off the ennui brought on by the general desaturation of the everyday world is to find a way to throw some sparkle into it. And preferably onto yourself, somehow.
Simplicity is often listed as a virtue of good design. Words like ‘clean’, ’sleek’ or ’sharp’ invoke positive mental imagery. Ornamentality today seems to have taken a step back in comparison to, say, the Baroque . Still I’d argue that from time to time we need a little bit of John Galliano, Murakami Takashi, or Pippi Longstocking. Sometimes we just need a little color.
pretty vs. pretty weird
I’m a prime example of a consumer ready to pay a hefty price margin for a beautiful product over a utilitarian-looking one. But beauty is not the category I’m trying to describe here – more a sort of… glorious visual insanity. If we use traditional japanese prints to demonstrate this subtle difference in a way we can all relate to – an image of three ladies in ornate kimonos relaxing in the garden could be considered beautiful, whereas two ladies and a gentleman in ornate kimonos battling a giant carp could be termed gloriously insane. That’s the kind of thing I’d like to see more of in design today – far left field. Visual surprise.