

What is the origin of Avant Garde?
The term Avant Garde is employed across artistic realms including painting, architecture, film, music, and fashion. Emerged in the first half of the 19th century in Europe, the Avant Garde style, under the guise of Dadaism, clandestinely spread to the United States during the early years of World War I (1915). In the 1970s, Avant Garde was regarded as a design philosophy marked by innovation, pioneering the disruption of established standards of pre-existing ideal beauty.

Origins and formation of Avant Garde (Source: Internet)
Avant Garde has endured numerous transformations throughout its historical stages, coexisting with other art forms such as Minimalism, Pop-Art, and Abstract Expressionism.
Characteristics of the Avant Garde Style
The Avant Garde artistic movement reflects the boundless values of creativity, innovation, and individual uniqueness. Avant Garde artists aspire to be pioneers of their era, aiming to assert their voice and personal perspective on the world and the philosophy of life.
Avant Garde symbolizes the evolution of art. In the realm of fashion, from unconventional concepts to dazzling runway performances, the Avant Garde style is considered a new declaration of beauty, creativity, and imaginative transcendence of the times.
The Avant Garde style tends to be contrary, denying or deviating from traditional trends. In the artistic taste of Avant Garde fashion, designers disrupt conventional values with a multidimensional, era-defying perspective, rejecting any pre-established fashion standards. The most crucial principle of the Avant Garde style is to not succumb to the constraints of any rules.
Avant Garde fashion shows with a touch of rebellion became widespread in the late 70s to early 80s, not only shocking but also inviting criticism for their uniqueness, audacity, innovation, and eccentricity. Designers embracing the Avant Garde movement were the 'opposers' challenging cultural, political, and social norms as well as art institutions and organizations.

Avant Garde tends to be in opposition to tradition (Source: Internet)
Explore various fashion styles through events like the Met Gala, where the most famous Hollywood actors converge.
Distinguishing the difference between Avant Garde and Haute Couture, what is it?
When put on the scale, both Avant Garde and Haute Couture are styles that exude innovation, distinctiveness, and transcend fashion boundaries. However, the difference is easily discerned based on the names of the two approaches.
Haute couture translates to high-end tailoring, encompassing meticulously designed and tailored high-fashion garments, naturally commanding exorbitant prices.
In contrast to Avant Garde, Haute Couture doesn't necessarily have to be avant-garde; the garments draw inspiration from Avant Garde works but are transformed into more wearable pieces.

Haute Couture – The extravagant, fiercely elite world of fashion at its pinnacle (Source: Internet)
The ultimate distinction lies in Avant Garde's ability to manifest in any artwork, while Haute Couture is confined solely to the realm of fashion.
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Comparing Avant Garde and Haute Couture (Source: Internet)
The Evolution of Avant Garde
While Avant Garde style made waves in Western countries, on a resilient island in the Pacific, Avant Garde was a subtle undercurrent in the artistic development of Japan. In the late 60s, Mary Baskett – the fabric curator of Cincinnati Art Museum, was one of the first to notice the budding Avant Garde in Japanese fashion designs.

The Evolution of Avant Garde (Source: Internet)
Most fashion brands embracing Avant Garde style choose to 'rebel' within the heart of that artistic domain. Unlike the widely renowned Korean brands, Avant Garde fashion houses maintain an 'under-the-radar' and discreet image with the public. However, Avant Garde holds a compelling allure, enough for these brands to have a devoted and equally 'eccentric' fan base.
Seemingly mundane outward expressions, 'quirky' but indispensable aspects of Avant Garde. In the realm of fashion, trends like deconstruction and recycling also bear some influence from Avant Garde.
Which Fields Embrace Avant Garde?
As mentioned, Avant Garde is an artistic style, and its presence extends beyond fashion to encompass painting, architecture, cinema, music, literature, and more.

Artistic Eccentricity from Avant Garde (Source: Internet)

Rabbit’s Moon (Shorter Version) (1979) directed by Kenneth Anger (Source: Internet)
Which Fashion Brands Represent Avant Garde?
Prominent brands embracing the Avant Garde style and leaving a profound mark in the fashion realm include: Dior (during John Galliano's era), Alexander McQueen, Maison Margiela, Iris van Herpen, Comme des Garcon, Issey Miyake, Yayoi Kusama, Yohji Yamamoto, Rei Kawakubo, Vivienne Westwood, Gou Pei, Paco Rabanne, and more.
Iconic Figures
Pioneering individuals who revolutionized the fashion world through Avant Garde artistry include designers Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano, Gou Pei, Yohji Yamamoto, Rei Kawakubo, Yayoi Kusama, Alexander McQueen, Thierry Mugler, Andre Courreges, Gareth Pugh, and the avant-garde enthusiast Lady Gaga.

Works of Yohji Yamamoto (Source: Internet)
Frequently Asked Questions about Avant Garde
- What is Avant Garde Style?
In English, Avant Garde translates to vanguard. Essentially, it signifies a groundbreaking, distinctive artistic style.
- Leading Figures in Avant Garde Style
Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano, Gou Pei, Yohji Yamamoto, Rei Kawakubo, Yayoi Kusama, and more are notable faces representing the Avant Garde style.
Here is an article and exploration of what Avant Garde Style is from Leflair for our readers. Don't forget, at Leflair, there is always new knowledge about fashion, beauty, skincare, etc., waiting for you to discover!
Posted by: Ngọc Lâm
Keywords: Avant Garde Style: Intense Creativity and Imagination