Savannah SneadHistory of contemporary dressGillion Carrara3 April 2014“I don't know anything about fashion and I don't look at other people's clothes, I feel like this: if it doesn't like what you see, you change it. –Stephen Sprouse (Voguepedia) Stephen Sprouse is known for his bright color palettes, bold prints, and vibrant designs that emerged in the 1980s. While these descriptive elements of his aesthetic are accurate, there is an underlying element of his work that speaks louder than any neon color. Predominantly prevalent in his military-inspired work, Sprouse challenges color, pattern, and purpose. While some might consider his creations nothing more than loud and trendy, behind such designs lies a quieter sense of detail that deserves proper appreciation. To understand where a designer is headed, it's important to learn the fundamentals of where they've been. Stephen Sprouse studied fashion throughout his adolescence, looking at any design magazine or book he could find. In 1971 he chose to study fashion design at RISD. Within three months of enrolling, Sprouse left school to work under Leo Narducci, who took him to work as an assistant for Halston. Sprouse left Halston in 1974 to concentrate on his art. For years he focused on 2D collages rather than fashion design. However, in 1982, he saw a portfolio of fashion photography by Stephen Meisel which inspired him to start drawing fashion models again. He later recalls: “I was making screen prints of video scan lines. And some clothes for Blondie's Debbie Harry when she went on tour. . . . Basically, I was around. But when I saw those photos, something sparked in me and I thought it would be cool to make some clothes for [Mei...... middle of paper ...... realizing they were following. Disguised behind his neon streetwear aesthetic, Sprouse made intellectual garments that pushed the wearer to look beyond the loud and obvious to become truly free. After a brief absence from the industry, Sprouse created numerous collections including several collaborations, many with Andy Workol. Various media sources have noted Sprouse for his fabrics and garments. In 2001, Sprouse created a print for Louis Vittoun bags as part of an "anti-snobbery" movement taking place in New York City. The immaculate bags were covered in Sprouse graffiti that added a dimension of levity and humor in a time of grave difficulty. With the country on the brink of collapse, these bags were a ray of happiness that helped remind customers that fashion could actually be fun. List of figures