Blog 3: The Matrix Analysis

Angelica Molina

October 5th, 2010

ENG 101-ENG 103

Luke Vaseliou

The Matrix: Sci-Fi Classic and Fashion Guide? 

While flipping through a fashion magazine, or even just looking at the ads for your favorite brand-name, do you ever consider where the inspiration comes from? Of course, designers have their own vision and artistic eye, yet, most of these “looks” have to come from somewhere. Their inspiration can derive from a time period, an animal, food, or even a movie. One of the most influential movies in fashion is “The Matrix”. Released in March of 1999, “The Matrix” was a film most definitely ahead of its time. The iconic anti-gravity scenes and long, black trench coats are those we recognize and still enjoy today. But, how can a movie such as “The Matrix” have a significant impact on the runway? I’m almost certain there aren’t many people around wearing black sunglasses and long, black, leather coats. 

In the beginning of the movie, we see the character of Trinity, being hunted down by a swarm of policemen, as she rises and places her hands on her head, you see she is wearing glistening, black leather pants along with a tight leather muscle shirt, and a cropped, black, leather jacket. The costume designer, Kym Barrett commented on this look, explaining that: “Trinity's shiny cat suit was meant to look like an oil slick, something like mercury, that you can't catch, it moves so quickly through your fingers.'' So there most definitely was some sort of correlation with the action sequences, and the sleek look of the costumes. A collection that contained looks reminiscent to Trinity’s is the Dolce and Gabbana 2003 Fall Winter Ready To Wear Collection. The ensemble contains futuristic black sunglasses, and a cropped jacket with minimal accents, giving it a sleek futuristic look. Trinity, the heroin of the movie, represented a strong symbol for female power, so her look was influential for most designers. 

The style was also meant to give a futuristic look, and the concept is successful. Barrett took futuristic fashion, and brought it down to a minimalist level. Minimalism is a type of style that focuses on clean, neat lines with very little or no embellishments to the article of clothing or accessories. Another collection that latched onto this trend was the Balenciaga Ready To Wear Fall/Winter 2003 collection. The look featured a lot of sleek black articles of clothing. The usage of colors besides black or white was very scarce. The runway collection also featured different styles of leather leggings which mimicked the textures of the clothing worn by the main characters. This particular collection also paid homage to Neo’s long black trench coat as well as Trinity’s crop jacket. The collection features black patent leather jackets of medium length and cropped jackets and coats, still maintaining the minimal concept. 

Even the antagonists of the storyline, “The Agents”, were accounted for. In Sean John’s Fall of 2003 menswear collection, most of the models wore blacked out sunglasses and the majority of the collection was black, grey, or white. The simple color scheme complemented the clothing’s lack of embellishment. The collection also featured some suits, which were black. The accessories and accents were also black, but different textures, some shiny, again resembling the sleek black leather articles of clothing worn in The Matrix. 

These are just some of many examples of runway collections influenced and inspired by the 1999 Sci-Fi hit movie, “The Matrix”. The movie’s thought-provoking plot and strong, well developed characters draw many in to the world of The Matrix, leaving much room for imagination and artistic inspiration. Even today in 2010, many designers are still following the guidelines for a minimalistic and futuristic style, sometimes still using the fashion of The Matrix as a stylistic undertone for the overall motif of their collections. I believe the movie will serve inspiration in the fashion world for years to come. 


Sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/04/style/allure-of-the-trench-coat-that-matrix-look.html?pagewanted=2 Article:   Allure of the Trench Coat: 'The Matrix' Look


http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/2003/fall/main/newyork/menrunway/seanjohn/#%20
Sean John Fall 2003 Menswear Collection


http://www.style.com/fashionshows/powersearch?designer=design_house12&event=show930 
Balenciaga Fall 2003 Collection