Harking back to the 1990s, the largest previous minimalism movement had crystallised in fashion, largely as a response to the loud and proud maximalist glam of the 1980s. Designers such as Helmut Lang, Jil Sander, Martin Margiela, Calvin Klein, Anne Demeulemeester, Yohji Yamamoto and the Japanese avant-garde were in full flight. Although sparse in personal touch, much of the clothing of the minimalist movement was characterised by a notion of purity, favouring clean lines and generally monochromatic hues. Much emphasis was placed on the overall silhouette and its utility, following the design ethos that “form follows function”.

Looking back throughout history, the bird’s-eye design influence of minimalist fashion is reminiscent of parallel design worlds such as architecture and the arts. The modernist mentality of Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius and the Bauhaus school, or artists such as Piet Mondrian in the 30s, and Donald Judd and Sol Lewitt in the 60s and 70s echoes throughout the design principals of minimalist fashion.

Although seasons change and creative directors switch, in recent years, we see some of the forefathers of the minimalist fashion movement still attaining relevance, as the likes of Yohji Yamamoto, Comme Des Garcons, Maison Margiela and Jil Sander continue to reverberate throughout runways, department stores and wardrobes globally. Other designer moments, such as Phoebe Philo’s famed tenure at Celine, and Daniel Lee’s current reign at Bottega Veneta, have helped shape the latest wave of minimalism. Although arguably slightly more radiant in palette than the 90s, the core principles have not been lost in the current revival.

With less focus on billboard branding and loud embellishments, and more towards asymmetric cuts and trans-seasonal utility, a growing sector of the public are looking for more timeless pieces. Pieces which can be interchanged in a wider variety of looks, and that are constructed with high-quality fabrics that will stand the test of time against the rapid fashion calendar. The use of the term “investment piece” is surging again in fashion dialogue, and the modern lifestyle in general is allowing us to duplicate looks across work and leisure, creating better value around minimalist pieces.

Below is a curated array of minimalist men’s and women’s pieces from the Harrolds inventory, proudly featuring some of the world’s most esteemed designers, from Yohji Yamamoto and Maison Margiela to Jil Sander and Bottega Veneta.