The Bauhaus school, which operated for just 14 years and closed 79 years ago, continues to influence modern design. You can see its impact not only in streetscapes, interior decor, and furniture design but also in educational approaches and even in fashion. Many contemporary designers draw inspiration from the Bauhaus movement.
For those unfamiliar with Bauhaus, it was a school in Germany that merged crafts and fine arts. It became well-known for its design philosophy, which aimed to integrate art, craft, and technology. Bauhaus designs often feature graphic shapes, a variety of materials, and bold colors.
Carolina Herrera’s spring/summer 2012 collection drew inspiration from Bauhaus, which explains why I found it so appealing. You can check out her collection to see these influences.
Hussein Chalayan’s work is another excellent example of Bauhaus principles in fashion. He emphasizes functionality over form and merges art with fashion. While many of Chalayan’s collections are highly conceptual, his spring/summer 2013 collection was notably wearable and impressive. The theme, ‘seize the day,’ focused on making everyday situations wearable. Chalayan has evolved from establishing his style to wanting to see it worn by people, bridging the gap between fantasy and reality.
Personally, I am discovering that my own style is heavily influenced by Bauhaus. I appreciate clean lines, vibrant colors, geometrical shapes, and complementary materials in clothing.
My affinity for Bauhaus isn’t new. It formed the basis of a project I did at the School of Colour and Design in Sydney. The project was my first website, focusing on Bauhaus and color theory. Though created in 2000 when the internet was still developing, the site remains relevant and offers insights into Bauhaus and color theory. It’s interesting to look back, given the low screen resolution and limited color palette of that time. The site is small, and navigating it is simple. An interesting fact is that I hand-painted all the color swatches featured on the site. Feel free to take a look!
What design movements influence your style?
