From the Archive: Ronaldus Shamask and Fashion ‘Simplexity’

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Ronaldus Shamask brought architectural shapes, Japanese-inspired simplicity and postmodernist thought to elevate summer's favorite color.

Color in fashion is an emotional state of being, especially as summer heats up. The color that delivers cool and ease has always been pristine white in crisp linens or cotton.

Like Zoran, who was highlighted in last week’s entry, Ronaldus Shamask also created standout collections in summer’s favorite color and textiles during the 1980s. In 1989, WWD interviewed Shamask for its “Designers on Designing,” where he created the word “simplexity” as his philosophy on designing.

Known to reference postmodernist thinkers like Roland Barthes, Shamask noted, “Something that is simple is often successful because it appears that there aren’t problems involved.” The surface may seem facile and spontaneous, but complex labor lies beneath it. “The end result, however, looks as if it just happened.”

A master of clean lines, Shamask often combined architectural shapes with Japanese-inspired silhouettes, like this first look, for spring 1981, photographed for WWD. The look not only delivered on simplicity, but elevated the dress short with a bow-neck, kimono-inspired jacket in textured white cotton, tying postmodern thinking with contemporary style — thoughtfully.

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