Dramatic Style and Fashion Subcultures

Dramatic Style: Impact and Avant-Garde

Dramatic style is the ultimate expression of strength and avant-garde sophistication. Its users seek to visually impact and intimidate.

They use strong contrasts (black and white), exaggerated volumes, sharp geometric lines and large-scale architectural accessories.

It is a theatrical, urban and modern style. They project a dominant, confident and demanding personality. They do not seek to please, but to impress and mark territory.

Message: "I am powerful, intense and in control of the situation".

Risk: They can be aggressive, aloof or unapproachable. Their presence is so strong that it sometimes overwhelms more sensitive interlocutors.

They must learn to soften their image when seeking collaboration or consensus.

Influence of subcultures and trends (Tribes)

Fashion constantly draws from cultural movements and "urban tribes" that eventually filter into the overall style.

Boho/Bohemian: Derived from the hippie movement, it projects freedom and connection with nature and art, using bangs, ethnic prints and overlays.

Rocker: Transmits rebellion and strength, with the iconic use of black leather, studs and worn denim.

Preppy: Inspired by elite universities, it communicates a traditional, youthful status through coats of arms, plaid and collegiate-style garments.

These "micro-styles" are often integrated as accents within the 7 universal styles to further personalize them.

The Mix of Styles technique

Rarely does a person belong 100% to one style ("purist"). The most common is to have one dominant style (which defines the closet foundation and essence) and one or two secondary styles (which provide nuances depending on the occasion). The key to successful consulting is to identify this mix.

For example, an executive may have a Traditional dominant style (tailored suits) but a Creative secondary (wearing unusual designer necklaces or brightly colored shoes). This mix humanizes the image and makes it unique.

The goal is to teach the client to dose these ingredients to adapt to the context without losing her identity: a creative can dress formal for a bank meeting, but will keep a detail (original cufflinks, a patterned coat lining) that honors her essence.

Summary

Dramatic style seeks to visually impact and intimidate through strong contrasts and architectural volumes. It projects dominance and avant-garde confidence, although its intensity can overwhelm sensitive interlocutors, resulting in aggressive or distant collaboration.

Fashion is nourished by urban tribes such as Boho, Rocker or Preppy that influence style. These "micro-styles" are often integrated as accents within the seven universal styles to further personalize the image.

Rarely do we belong to a single pure style; we tend to have one dominant and others secondary. The success lies in dosing this mix to adapt to the context without losing identity, thus humanizing the image.