
In Sek
It’s just emerging, and it’s not for everyone. Brutalism has begun to reappear.
Call brutalism an extreme countertrend to the minimalist techniques that have dominated the scene for so long. Smooth lines, clean edges and perfect patterns don’t just a backseat here, they are virtually nowhere to be found. And single-material designs bow to mix-media combinations.
Brutalism looks raw, harsh and deconstructed. It involves unfinished edges, fraying, scraps, holes, irregular pieces and cut looks. Surfaces that appear to have been damaged by acid, scraping or other unnatural wear are also a factor. No wonder pieces that embrace brutalism will be limited to accent roles—just one or two items in a setting will be enough to get noticed. Nevertheless, these will be key items.
What is especially interesting about the new interest in brutalism is how it emerging concurrently in home décor items and on the runway. Here are a few recent product debuts in both categories that follow a brutalist path.