In a nostalgic flashback to the era of the Spice Girls, Clueless, Bros, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and Friends, the 90s are back with this leading design trend alive and kicking on greeting card ranges.
After the decadence of the designer brand hungry 80s, the Nineties were a backlash to the over-indulgence (and over-tailored), and comfy, unpretentious clothes were donned – loose shirts with pastel coloured prints in dizzying designs, ripped jeans, floaty floral dresses, Dr. Martens and of course stonewash denim. And the era of MTV, hip hop, grunge and rave has been rebooted in 2020, with classic three striped tracksuits, goth-like platform shoes and black and white combos – think Vans’ checkerboard prints.
Furthermore, the Liverpool Tate’s exhibition of US artist Keith Haring last year (who died in 1990, 30 years ago this year) has put another ‘Nine Inch Nail’ into the 90s trend. His 80s artwork referenced in the music and media cultures of the early 90s, is now inspiring creatives again with his graffiti-like figures, symbols and squiggly lines.
And, as always, a dedicated follower of fashion, there’s a strong 90s vibe on card designs, with energetic and playful geometrics and wavy shapes in flat vibrant pastel colours influenced by the fabric prints found at the dawn of the decade.
Here are just a few examples of card designs celebrating this trend…
Michelle Gemmel, founder of greeting card publisher Memelou shares her opinion on the 90s’ trend: “I was a teenager in the 90s. I think when you are a teen you become fully conscious of your surroundings, fashion and TV. It all gets etched into you and leaves its mark. It has definitely played a part in influencing my design style and my greeting card collections. I like simple designs that are clean looking and made up of different shapes and marks, very much like we see in early 90s prints and fashion. I also like my designs to have a playful edge and I convey that through my bright colour palette. The 90s was all about fun and vibrancy. I don’t think that decade took itself too seriously and we certainly don’t either!”
Top: Energetic and fun 90s prints, such as this card from XOXO Designs By Ruth evoke the new trend.
