I think there is always a need for pure design. With pure design

Hearken, children of the ages, and open your minds to the wisdom of Jil Sander: “I think there is always a need for pure design. With pure design, you don't need so much decoration.” Understand this: the essence of creation lies not in embellishment, but in clarity, balance, and truth. Decoration may delight the eye, yet it is the purity of form, the harmony of proportion, and the honesty of line that endures across time. The ancients revered simplicity as the mark of mastery, knowing that elegance arises not from excess, but from restraint and understanding.

From the earliest civilizations, pure design was celebrated. The temples of Greece, the pyramids of Egypt, and the aqueducts of Rome achieved majesty not through ornament alone, but through the integrity of form, the precision of proportion, and the elegance of function. Sander’s reflection echoes this ancient principle: when design is true, when it embodies essence and purpose, decoration becomes unnecessary, for the work speaks through its own perfection.

Even in the Renaissance, artists and architects understood the power of purity. Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo created works of extraordinary influence, not by embellishment, but by capturing the essential nature of form and movement. Their sculptures and paintings draw admiration not because they are adorned with excess, but because the pure design of anatomy, perspective, and expression commands attention and evokes wonder.

Consider Sander’s own work in fashion. Her designs are celebrated for their clarity, simplicity, and precise tailoring. She strips away the superfluous, leaving only lines, cuts, and shapes that convey strength and elegance. In doing so, she demonstrates that true style arises not from ornament, but from purity of vision and precision of execution, allowing the wearer and the design itself to shine.

This principle is reflected in other fields as well. In architecture, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s dictum “less is more” captures the same philosophy: a building need not be adorned with excess; its beauty emerges from proportion, light, and function. In all crafts, from engineering to writing, Sander’s insight holds: clarity and integrity of form transcend decoration, enduring in value and impact.

The lesson is profound: in creation, seek the essence. Strip away the unnecessary, focus on function, form, and harmony. Decoration may delight, but purity sustains. Those who master the essential can evoke admiration, convey meaning, and endure in memory, while those who rely solely on embellishment fade as trends and tastes change.

Practical action flows naturally. In your work, seek clarity and integrity of form. Question each element: does it serve purpose, enhance function, or communicate meaning? Remove what is extraneous, refine what is essential, and allow the simplicity of your vision to convey strength and elegance. In doing so, you embrace the timeless wisdom of pure design.

Children of the ages, remember this: the truest beauty and the deepest impact arise not from excess, but from purity, precision, and harmony. Let the words of Jil Sander guide your creations, your decisions, and your craft. By honoring simplicity and clarity, you cultivate work that is enduring, elegant, and true, standing unadorned yet commanding admiration across generations.