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