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What does Avant Garde Really Mean?

By Michelle Ecker on October 19, 2016

The New York Institute of Art and Design offers online image consultant training and because we do, we like to provide free tips for image consultants. Enjoy!

What does Avant Garde Really Mean?

For those interested in pursuing a legitimate career in the fashion and personal style industry, it’s important to familiarize yourself with some terminology that you may hear during professional conversations. When speaking with potential clients, use of industry standard jargon reassures your customers that you truly have a comprehensive knowledge of the field and that you can articulate it like a professional.

If you’ve ever heard someone reference an outfit or accessory as Avant garde, you may not have known exactly what they were referring to. While many people tend to think this phrase is an allusion to 60s-inspired fashion, that is not always the case and you should likely avoid that generalization. Avant garde simply means that the stylist choices were more unconventional, eccentric ones- like dressing a woman in menswear pieces or stacking a ton of bracelets up someone’s arm in a unique way.

Simply put, Avant garde is a nod to stylist risk taking and imagination-if a client asks for it in description of their desired look, he or she is inviting you to get creative!

Want to learn more? The New York Institute of Art and Design offers an online personal style course that can teach you how to become a personal stylist. Request your free course catalog today!