That move towards minimalism keeps showing up everywhere. My friend just redid her whole apartment in neutral tones, saying busy decor made her anxious. Even in music, some of the most powerful songs have really simple, clean production. You might be onto something bigger than just fashion.
Messy desks can be a sign of a busy mind getting work done. Parker_ellis has a point about simple things having power, but clean spaces aren't the only way to get there. My best ideas come from a bit of creative chaos around me. A totally empty room or a silent song would just make my brain go blank. Sometimes you need a little visual noise to actually focus.