Episode 3: Simplicity in Fashion

Introduction

In this episode, we bring in two important figures from fashion: Jil Sander and Phoebe Philo. Both of them are well known in the fashion world, and their work is often connected with minimalism.

Jil Sander is often called the “Queen of Less.” She believes that simplicity is not weak, but powerful. Her design focuses on clean shapes, careful details, and high-quality materials. Instead of adding more decoration, she tries to remove what is unnecessary. As she once said, “I like to concentrate on what is essential.”¹ This shows that for her, minimalism is about focus and control.

Phoebe Philo has a different but related approach. During her time at Chloé, Philo brought “easy-to-wear, feelgood designs”. She designs for real life, especially for women. Her idea of simplicity is not only about clean visuals, but also about how clothes make people feel. In an interview, she said, “I think about women, and what they want to wear.”²

Both designers show that minimalism in fashion is not only about reducing things. It is about what to keep, what to remove, and what really matters. Their work also shows that simplicity can have different expressions: it can be strict and controlled, or soft and personal.