Is it possible to develop your sense of style?
So many times I heard something like this: “I have no sense of style..if it had been, I could become cool fashion designer/illustrator/make-up artist..”. It is fair to everyone else “if“.
if I had enough free time
if I had enough money
if I had talant and luck
forget about it.
It is absolutely possible to develop sense of style and to be honest, it’s possible to achieve almost everything you want, except travel in outer space may be.
I do not want to sound like hundreds of books on motivation, but believe in yourself is very important in such a competitive industry like fashion.
So when it comes to learning, you should not doubt. Sense of style can be just learned.
As I seen before in other media, there are many advices like “read a lot of glossy magazines, try to copy their style and later on you will be able to create good looks by yourself”. I’m totally disagree. It looks like a simple way, but it won’t give you the full picture.
So, this is my advices how to develop sense of style:
1. Expand your horizons. It is best to start with books: classics and books on art.
In addition to general education, it gives you some sense of beauty. Now, this feeling is largely distorted and suppressed by the modern culture, so that an understanding of the sources is essential.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/top100.shtml – nice list by BBC, including authors like Jane Austen, JD Salinger, Lewis Carroll and many others.
2. Pay attention to painting and art. It can be great source of inspiration and also you will get used to harmonious combination of colors and the laws of perspective.
3. Analyze works of the great designers. History of fashion is a very eloquent. And try to note the difference in the works of masters and understand their own style.
4. And only here it’s time to read and draw some conclusions from magazines.
If you really would follow these easy advices and go deeper into classic books (including modern literature, but worthwhile), learn history and evolution of art – while looking on pictures in magazines you won’t see “cool clothes”, but finished composition of lines, shapes, colors and fashion.
Good luck and waiting for you comments to discuss.
To be a fashion designer: Do fashion designers have to know how to sew?
For some reason, I’ve seen this question many times. And if you have the same question (as “Do fashion designers have to know how to sew?”), it can be caused by 2 situations:
- you hope to go easy way;
- you are afraid that you won’t be able to learn how to sew;
In first case, better to forget about it. To follow the easy way is the best way to destroy self-development.
What about second case, it is completely normal to be afraid of something new and unfamiliar. But I want to calm you down, in a learning process of fashion, when you come to a successful decision in fashion design (by sketches, for example), you definitely would want to learn how to create these clothes as soon as possible. It can be very strong motivation, and once you will want it, nothing will stop you from start sewing.
For some conclusion: Yes, fashion designers have to know how to sew and it is important.
I want to list a few reasons besides the obvious and the most often used.
1. The ability to sew and create clothes by yourself it is a great advantage compare to other designers.
2. You can objectively look at your design only after you turned your sketches into a physical object.
3. The last and the most important:
I am convinced that only by creating and sewing clothing, you can understand the plasticity of the material and its behavior, how the fabric covers shapes and metamorphoses while moving.
To be a fashion designer: for those who want to, but doubts it.
With this post I start a new series of articles for the beginners and even for people who just thinking about joining fashion.
There are so many small details that seem obvious for experienced designers, but can be a stumbling block for beginners and I want to share these details. So, my goal is to inspire and give confidence to people, who want to join this industry.
Very often for some reason, if young men ask “can I become a fashion designer? how to become a fashion designer?”, they receive the same answer.
But before we point this out, I want to tell you short story:
I wanted to get a dog, it necessarily had to be a Husky. I dreamed about these wolf-like dogs so much! So, I started to looking for any information about dogs, dogs training, breeds. And once I learned it all, I found local forum of breeders and owners of the Huskies. Already somebody created topic like “can you give me some advices on getting Husky?”, I opened it…and instead of advices, any information or encouragement, I saw:
- “We have the feeling that you like these dogs just because of their popularity in the movies. We don’t think you can grow up them, it’s hard work.”
Aw, wow. Later on, I noticed the same attitude of the owners of other rare or interesting breeds. Maybe it makes them feel special.
So, the same story with fashion design. Probably, you would hear answers like “It’s a tough competitive business. There is no place for the weak. It’s all about connections and relationships.”
Ok, it is. But it does not matter you have no place in this industry. And don’t forget: everyone sees what he wants. And where one person sees tough business, other would see dynamic creative activity.
For those who want to become a fashion designer, but doubts it, I want to tell a few things:
- Fashion designer is a creative profession, but it requires a lot of work. The result may not come immediately.
- In real life, it’s not as shown on TV. Glamour, parties and pictures with the celebrities – this is not something that should be your motivation.
- But if you want to give something to the world, if you want to create a piece of an art or just express yourself - it is definitely your place.
- To be a fashion designer is a really creative and interesting way to develop yourself, and spend your lifetime.
Versace A/W ’12 at Milan fashion week, fashionising.com.










