Maximalist Design Is Back: What Brands Can Learn from Fashion’s Statement Accessories Trend
- hannahoheine
- May 30
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 3
The Art Of Standing Out On Purpose
Minimalism had its moment—clean lines, quiet palettes, and “please-don’t-notice-me” branding. But in 2025? We’re done whispering. Maximalism is back, and it’s showing up loud, layered, and unapologetically extra.
Just like fashion’s obsession with bold accessories (think brooches, bangles, and bead overload), branding is embracing a “pile it on” mentality—because why blend in when you can make a statement?
From Minimal To Maximal: The Glow-Up
Let’s be real: audiences are over safe, sterile, one-size-fits-all design. They want flavor. They want spice. They want brands that ditch the grayscale templates and show up like they’ve got something to say—and the confidence to say it in technicolor.
The shift to maximalism isn’t random—it’s a cultural snapback. In an overstimulated world, the brands that cut through are the ones that dare to be bold, layered, and unmistakably themselves. Add in the need for visual storytelling and authenticity, and suddenly a little (or a lot of) flair makes perfect sense.
Nike’s doing it. Anthropologie’s deep in it. And the rest of us? Time to trade in our neutral tees for something with serious personality.
Why “More Is More” Just Makes Sense
Personality > Perfection
Consumers are vibing with brands that feel real. Not polished to the point of being forgettable. We’re in the era of quirk, not cookie-cutter.
Instant Impact
When everyone’s scrolling at the speed of light, bold design is your brand’s neon “LOOK AT ME” moment.
Layered Storytelling
Every detail—every texture, stroke, and unexpected element—is another beat in your brand’s story. Add depth, add meaning, add intrigue.
Style Cues From Fashion’s Maximalist Moment
Need inspiration? Look to the runway. Schiaparelli’s brooches, Chanel’s wrist-full-of-bangles, Marni’s beads that could double as modern art. Statement accessories aren’t just about style—they’re about storytelling through excess. Branding? Same energy.
Here’s How To Translate That Maximalist Magic Into Your Next Design:
Color Like You Mean It
Toss the beige. Go bold. Think electric palettes, playful type, and high-contrast pairings that can’t help but stand out.
Layer It On
Mixed media isn’t just for art school. Add texture, depth, patterns, illustration, even a hint of grain. Your flat design deserves a little drama.
Make It Personal
Custom fonts. Cheeky icons. Layouts that play by your own rules. Infuse your work with personality, because nobody remembers the brand that played it safe.
Maximalism Mirrors The Moment
Let’s zoom out for a second. The return of maximalism isn’t just a design trend—it’s a cultural vibe shift. After years of uncertainty, constraint, and doomscrolling, people are ready to feel something again. Bold design scratches that itch. It brings energy, optimism, and a bit of joyful chaos into the frame. Think of it as visual dopamine. Brands that tap into that feeling—that “finally, something different” reaction—create a stronger emotional pull. It’s not about being loud for the sake of it. It’s about giving people a reason to stop scrolling, look twice, and say, “that’s cool—and that’s totally them.”
The Final Word: Stop Toning It Down
2025 isn’t the year to blend in. It’s the year to bring the full look. The layered, the textured, the vibrant. The you.
Whether it’s a bold necklace or a bold design move, the brands that turn heads are the ones unafraid to show off what makes them different.
Go ahead—accessorize the hell out of it.
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Author: Hannah Heine
Editor: Jenn Hart (More About Me)
Associate Editor: Sarah Dawoud
Art: Sharon Bakas
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