Why minimalism never goes out of style

….and what we can expect for the next decade in design.

French designer Coco Chanel (1920)

“Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.”
— Coco Chanel

Perhaps the most influential quote from one of the most influential people. Literally — French fashion icon and businesswoman Coco Chanel was listed as one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People of the 20th century.

Chanel is widely known for inspiring a shift in feminine fashion standards from the early 20th century “corseted silhouette” to a more sporty chic look. The designer identified essential staples for a woman’s closet such as the beloved “little black dress”, a style unlikely to ever lose its popularity among modern women.

Chanel modeling the “little black dress”, an equally iconic and timeless design

I first came across this quote of Chanel’s in a book titled “Less is more: 101 ways to simplify your life”. The book is a love letter to a minimalist lifestyle, containing advice involving topics such as fashion, health and wellness, and personal relationships.

Many design-based industries, such as fashion, come into minimalism after a long period of turbulent growth. Historically…