Thursday, November 10, 2011

Baroque and Roll: Print Mania

Ba·roque  (b-rk)
adj.
1. also Baroque Of, relating to, or characteristic of a style in art and architecture developed in Europe from the early 17th to mid-18th century, emphasizing dramatic, often strained effect and typified by bold, curving forms, elaborate ornamentation, and overall balance of disparate parts.
2. Extravagant, complex, or bizarre, especially in ornamentation: "the baroque, encoded language of post-structural legal and literary theory" (Wendy Kaminer).
3. Irregular in shape: baroque pearls.




Gianni Versace Baroque Jacket
We love us some baroque here at VagaBond. In fact, the more flamboyant and elaborate the better. It seems baroque has been associated with couture forever, enlivening a piece and stirring any look with an intense drama. Italian in origin, the style came to prominence in the early 1600's. 

Today's baroque is less about the ruffles and plumage and all about embellishment, metal tones or bright colors and a slick of texture. Think prints as diverse as animal and jacquard. Not for the faint hearted, baroque is positively a look intended to capture the gaze of a passer by. 

In the past three decades, baroque has become eponymously associated with Versace. Think of the supermodels flaunting those safety pin dresses on the runway and bold, brash prints. The style harks back to a pre-recessionary era where glitz and glamour were very much meant to be in your face. 

Embellishments are also key to achieving a distinction of baroque. If rave colors are not your thing then look into cleverly embellished pieces. This beautiful Balenciaga jacket is quintessentially baroque with its unique detailing; sculptured shape, chain front closing and contrasting pocket flaps.


Balenciaga Baroque Silk Jacket
 

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