I'm a big fan of Pinterest and one of the things I love most about it is seeing various trends emerge. When I'm looking at an array of images on a page shared by people from around the globe, I often begin to notice a repetition of imagery, colors, textures and fashions. If you follow like-minded people with common interests, you are bound to see things that are pleasing to you in some way and that stand out. Without realizing it, you will be absorbing the visual repetition of a theme as it becomes mainstream.
A trend evolution I've been noticing is the Sea Punk trend. Now, this is definitely not a new thing; and the reason I'm writing about this now and not four years ago, is because I'm a 40+ woman and it's taken that long for the trend to catch up with the likes of me. Presumedly the term was first coined on Twitter by DJ @lilinternet in 2011 and has slowly migrated to the runways in Paris and is now seen in more mainstream publications and outlets (like Pinterest).
I can make sense of it in my adult mind now, even though this trend started as a teenage phenomenon based mostly in the club kid gif-loving arena of Tumblr. Dolphins, mermaid-colored hair, seashells and unicorns. Remember Gwen Stefani in the 90s with her bindi, blue hair twists and furry seafoam green bra? Was that the first sign of it, or more recently with Lady Gaga with a teal green blunt cut bob? Was it the Fall 2010 Proenza Schouler pastel-ridden fashion show? The iridescent glow of Hussein Chayalan's shoes for men?
Trends travel. Trends evolve and can have many different contributing influences. This trend in particular interests me because it's an amalgam of so many different things I see on Pinterest today: oceanic and water themes, teal blues and greens, iridescent gemstones, oil slicks, marbling and holographic images. Pastels, mother-of-pearl opalescence and cotton candy-colored hair.
When does one trend become another? Where do they overlap? And does a trend ever really end, or just go into a 20-year hibernation period to be reborn refreshed with a new twist for a new generation? I'm no expert on this, these are just my observations. Please feel free to weigh in, or elaborate on any information here.
I'd love to hear your thoughts and whether any other trends out there have caught your eye. This is just one of my favorites until the next one comes along...
