Futurism was an avant-garde movement which originated in Italy in the 20th Century by the Italian poet Filippo Tommaso Marinetti. The main aim of the Futurists was to destroy older forms of culture and demonstrate the beauty of modern life. They practised in every art form - be it paintings, sculptures, graphic design and fashion amongst others. Whatever the medium, their aim was to emphasize themes associated with contemporary concepts of the future, including speed, technology, youth and violence.
Considered the father of Futurist fashion, Giacomo Balla began designing textiles and suits in 1912/1913. With asymmetrical cuts and diagonal surface patterns, the brightly coloured outfits were a direct translation of the dynamic "force-lines" of his painted canvases. The Futurists were aggressively against clothing with frivolous detail, expensive fabrics and furthermore, class distinction in dress. Instead they promoted clothing designed in sleek lines and simple shapes which promoted the unencumbered movement of the human body, and the fast-paced rhythm of modern life as was evoked by dynamic textile designs and asymmetrical cuts.
With regards to colour, the Futurists despised the half-tone murky colours, and this can be seen in the way they chose their colours. They opted for bold and brightly intense colours in alarming combinations. This shocking choice of colours was done on purpose so as to unsettle traditional tastes in clothing.
One can also note the dynamic designs in cut and texture to accompany the vibrancy of colour of the clothing. Asymmetrical and energized patterns consisting of shapes such as triangles, cones and circles were used since they believed that clothing in these designs integrated the sensations of movement and thus reflect the energy of a new urban society.
References:
Leila Hartly,2010. Futurist Fashion [online]. Available at <http://leilahartley.wordpress.com/2010/10/24/futurist-fashion/ > [Accessed 27th October, 2013]
College Arts Association, Emily Braun. Futurist Fashion: Three Manifestoes [online]. Available at <http://historytransformationofdesign.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/7/2/11722228/futurist_fashion.pdf > [Accessed 27th October, 2013]
http://etd.lib.fsu.edu/theses_1/available/etd-04132004-000259/unrestricted/02_alm_text.pdf (no information available) [Accessed 27th October, 2013]
Images source: http://flommus.tumblr.com/page/241
