Vintage (design)

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Vintage design refers to an item of another era that holds important and recognizable value. [1] This style can be applied to interior design, decor, clothing and other areas. Vintage design is popular [2] and vintage items have risen in price. Outlets of vintage design have shifted from thrift store to shabby chic stores. [3]

Contents

Terminology

There is debate over what determines if an item is vintage. Some rely on the definition of anything old and of value. The most widely accepted definition used by antique and vintage professionals is anything older than 20 (and less than 100) years old. [4]

The terms vintage, retro and antique are oftentimes used interchangeably and have some overlay, however the words possess different meanings. Retro refers to a style iconic of a previous era. Vintage generally refers to an item of high-quality materials and/or craftmanship, that is characteristic of a specific time period or artist, and is between 20 and 100 years old. Lastly, antique refers to an item of the previous era or at least 100 years old. [5] [1] [6] A related term is antiquity , which indicates something of past eras, or simply put, ancient. [7] The word vintage originated in Late Middle English from Old French and Latin origins.

Popularity

Vintage advertisement for beer on the side of a building in the Downtown Tuscaloosa Historic District, Alabama, United States Downtown Tuscaloosa Historic District Vintage Ad.jpg
Vintage advertisement for beer on the side of a building in the Downtown Tuscaloosa Historic District, Alabama, United States

Vintage items spark interest in many. The United States Department of Labor tells us that, "Design and fashion trends play an important part in the production of furniture. The integrated design of the article for both esthetic and functional qualities is also a major part of the process of manufacturing furniture." [8]

The popularity of vintage design and vintage inspired items can be seen through media. In 2004 designer Nicolas Ghesquière created a line for Balenciaga which called back to older collections. [9] Tom Ford's collection for her also uses references to the past. Vintage design can also be seen in ads which promote vintage inspired clothing. [9]

There are several reasons for vintage design's popularity. Some claim the phenomenon is due to the rarity and classic value of the items. [9] Others state the reason to be a mixture of peoples' nostalgia creating a positive emotional appeal toward a past era or their childhood, consumers' environmental concerns, an appreciation of past styles and craftsmanship, and other experience. [10] [11]

Subcategories

Vintage design contains various subcategories reflecting the vast diversity of aesthetics that make up traditional and 20th century design styles. [2] [12]

Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau is a style containing curved lines, flowers and other plants, contrasting colors, ornate colors, young women, and intricate details. It was created at the end of the 1800s and gained popularity at the start of the 1910s. [2]

Art Deco

Art Deco was created to intentionally embrace a clean, modern, and man-made look, developed and popular from the 1920s and reaching its peak in the 1930s. This style features mostly geometric shapes, symmetrical patterns, and idealized human figures. [2]

Mid-century modern

Mid-century modern style makes use of straight, clear lines, curved objects, wood tones, thin supporting, and oversized objects. It is meant to call back to the mid-20th century. [2]

Atomic Age

Referring to the period roughly corresponding to 1940–1963, the Atomic Age includes elements of space exploration, scientific discovery, and futurism, creating an idea of an "optimistic, modern world". [2] Atomic Age design became popular and instantly recognizable, with a use of atomic motifs and space age symbols.

International Style

International Style design contains broad block letters in fonts such as Helvetica (see Swiss Style for further information on the typographic style) and sleek, modern lines invoking Mies-ian simplicity and a cosmopolitan aire. [2]

Seventies

The styles of the 1970s are incredibly popular in vintage design, recalling the aesthetics of hippies and other counterculture groups of the era. Use of natural color combinations such as the well-known 'harvest gold, avocado green, and burnt orange' was widespread, as were psychedelic colors and designs such as paisley. [2]

Punk

The punk counterculture style of the late 1970s and 1980s is reused today. It contains harsh lines, clashing colors, juxtaposition, and 'edgy' imagery to create an anti-authoritarian aesthetic. [2]

Postmodernism

Postmodernism as a style incorporates bold colors and abstract geometric motifs with intentionally humorous references to past architectural and design traditions, popular in the 1980s and 1990s. Whereas 'less is more' was a tenet of modernism, postmodern architect Robert Venturi quipped 'less is a bore'. [13] Postmodernism has heavily influenced the vaporwave aesthetic. [2]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Retro style</span> Historically derivative styles

Retro style is imitative or consciously derivative of lifestyles, trends, or art forms from history, including in music, modes, fashions, or attitudes. In popular culture, the "nostalgia cycle" is typically for the two decades that begin 20–30 years ago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Retrofuturism</span> Creative arts movement inspired by historic depictions of the future

Retrofuturism is a movement in the creative arts showing the influence of depictions of the future produced in an earlier era. If futurism is sometimes called a "science" bent on anticipating what will come, retrofuturism is the remembering of that anticipation. Characterized by a blend of old-fashioned "retro styles" with futuristic technology, retrofuturism explores the themes of tension between past and future, and between the alienating and empowering effects of technology. Primarily reflected in artistic creations and modified technologies that realize the imagined artifacts of its parallel reality, retrofuturism can be seen as "an animating perspective on the world".

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An antique is an item perceived as having value because of its aesthetic or historical significance, and often defined as at least 100 years old, although the term is often used loosely to describe any object that is old. An antique is usually an item that is collected or desirable because of its age, beauty, rarity, condition, utility, personal emotional connection, and/or other unique features. It is an object that represents a previous era or time period in human history. Vintage and collectible are used to describe items that are old, but do not meet the 100-year criterion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Couch</span> Furniture for seating two or more people

A couch, also known as a sofa, settee, chesterfield, or davenport, is a cushioned item of furniture for seating multiple people. It is commonly found in the form of a bench with upholstered armrests and is often fitted with springs and tailored cushion and pillows. Although a couch is used primarily for seating, it may be used for sleeping. In homes, couches are normally put in the family room, living room, den, or lounge. They are sometimes also found in non-residential settings such as hotels, lobbies of commercial offices, waiting rooms, and bars. Couches can also vary in size, color, and design.

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References

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  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "A Guide to Vintage Design Styles". tutsplus. 17 June 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  3. Kasprzak, Emma (17 April 2012). "Vintage style: The rise of retro" . Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  4. "What's the Difference Between "Antique" & "Vintage"?". Fargo Antiques & Repurposed Market. 18 April 2018.
  5. "Definition of Retro". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  6. "Definition of Antique". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  7. "Definition of Antiquity". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  8. "Reusing Furniture". Joy's Used Furniture & Decor. 17 July 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  9. 1 2 3 Larocca, Amy (4 July 2001). "Tomorrow's vintage today: with designers reissuing house hits and unveiling future classics, now is the time to snap up an item you can wear right away and sell in the future". Gale one file. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  10. Abdelrahman, Omar Khaled, Emma Banister, and Daniel Peter Hampson. "Curatorial consumption: Objects’ circulation and transference in the vintage marketplace." Journal of Business Research 114 (2020): 304-311.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.03.029
  11. "A Guide to Vintage Design Styles". Design & Illustration Envato Tuts+. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  12. "Vintage design: tips and inspiration to master the trend". 99designs. 7 November 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  13. ""Less Is More" vs. "Less Is a Bore": Whose Camp Are You In?". Architizer. 24 June 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2021.