Collaborations x
I know the value of two creative minds at work…finding inspiration, brainstorming initial ideas, responding and evaluating. When it works, it’s a joy. But I do worry that the success and commercial opportunities of the ‘Celebrity Collaboration’ is creating a blurred line between Fashion Styling and a good eye…and true Fashion Designing…
I never formally trained in fashion, my skill base is Classical Music, Art and Law. But like a moth to a bright light, I have always been drawn to it.
I remember as a child at Primary school running the obstacle race on a hot, humid Sports Day. I was way out in front until the final challenge: Pick up a hat and run to the finish line. Which one would suit me best? I tried them all on…
When The Husband and I lived in Italy, I would meet up with a dear friend, an ex-pat couturier, every Friday on the banks of Lago Maggiore for a ‘Creative Play Day’..deconstructing material, spray-painting it, whatever it took and then re-creating it into something desirable.
But I am not a designer.
I didn’t spend years training for a Fashion Degree or working in the industry: Learning the translation of 2d into 3d, pattern cutting, construction methods, production techniques, prototyping, fabric knowledge, development of samples, understanding cost implications, appreciating the characteristics of stretch and woven fabrics, the difference between structured and unstructured, proportion, silhouette, the principles of tailoring, of finishes, measurement taking, first sittings, alterations, understanding the social, cultural and historical context of fashion.
But I can fully appreciate that Anna did and I entirely rely on her to speak the lingo of fashion when we are working with our Atelier, something that immediately exposes my ignorance: I can learn and I am learning, but it will take me years. Like it did her.
Collaborations work when each side has something to bring to the table that creates an emotional connection. And celebrity collaborations can work in the same way, shedding new light, a different direction, a new angle, new ways of thinking, revelations and excitement.
But can a singer really design a car? A swim suit range? A Collection? For every Celebrity (or even non-celebrity) that thinks they can, there will be a hidden team of highly trained professionals taking up the slack with little to no recognition to take the concept into reality…and make it look easy.
And concepts are great – there’s nothing better than a meeting of creative minds – I can vouch for that. But give me some sugar for the highly skilled, experienced, grafter designers out there. Don’t let the celebrity ‘designer’ bleed the soul out of an intricate, multi-layered, highly-honed profession. Sometimes fashion isn’t about the surface ‘look’ – it’s the layers of integrity, knowledge and trust that go into it: There are existing stories of progress and we ignore them at our peril.
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 
That’s such a cute picture
Well said! I have friends in many areas of design who do the work but get no credit for it because its given a celebrity endorsement to supposedly generate more sales. I can’t think of any celebrities I want to look like! I enjoy being me and having my own unique style,thank you very much!!….high horse..off it now…breath xx
It would be a terrible shame it we lost perspective on our designers..I am a firm believer (subscriber) in ‘renaissance man’ and a crossing over of talents..but designers should be allowed to be Gods in their own world xxx
Regrettably, celebrities bring media coverage, but little else to the design table. It’s always seemed ridiculous to me that someone like “Snookie” of the “Jersey Shore” reality show, can be paid for books and product lines when legitimate talent goes unrewarded. Tsk, tsk…
Which comes down to the fact we are more worried about taking risks than creating the best of the best. A sad state of affairs..xxx
I love it when you make me think.
It’s so complicated. Now, I can’t look at my flannel pj’s without thinking of their long and storied beginnings. Even something this dreadful had a start somewhere. Someone understood pattern construction, samples, cost implications etc AND picked this peculiar shade of blue. They didn’t have the slightest idea about fashion though.
Fashion is something else. The sense of what is good or startling without jarring. The ability to know in advance what is a trend that will move along and which will stay put and irritate me. What makes it good fashion and what makes it the ability to put a good outfit together? Those celebrities out there ‘designing’ can put an outfit together-maybe with some help. The designers, such as you and Anna? That’s pure inspiration and ALL that other stuff.
Like all the millions of amateurs out there…I know what I like. You’re IT!
Can I say I love you?!
I think part of my gripe is that by giving celebrity ‘amateurs’ these huge projects that then pull in enormous amounts of revenue it makes designing seem easy and something anyone can do. It undermines a very pure skill set. I believe if your designing to that special level you leave bit of your personality in everything you create..we need to treasure that essence and respect it because distilling it down each time takes enormous craft and effort xxx
So well put. After reading about how Kate Moss “designed” her line for Topshop (she pointed to what she liked from what the designers had made) I’ve had no regard for celebrity design ventures.
It worries me when the celebrity becomes the face of the brand – their name is all it takes to sell a product. That even that a bad product can become ‘good’ by their association. Or a good product becomes good – but they’ve really had nothing to do with it. It’s all part of the insidious infiltration of mass media and global generalisation…bah humbug! xxx
I think some celebs have the ability to possess entrepreneurial skills and can branch out into forming their own fashion line etc with the help of a brand. However, others really do not and only are successful with their line due to their celebrity status. It is a shame that the ones who really should get the credit are shadowed into the background. However, it’s the brand’s choice to take on that celeb as their face.
I think you hit it on the head when you said ‘with the help of a brand’ – it’s that ability to make mistakes with the financial support – plus all the other support the big brands have that has the potential to make designing look ‘easy’. Honest to God – it’s not – but the recognition and the association means they’ve already won half the battle. Do I sound bitter?! xxx
Slightly? 😛 But it’s good you’re drawing attention to the people who deserve to be noticed. Credit where credit is due. 🙂