Valerie Steele on Fashion Greats | Big Think

TL;DR

Designers, buyers, and consumers all have an eye for fashion trends, but important designers push fashion forward with their creativity and unique perspectives.

Transcript

a lot of designers have a really smart eye about fashion because that's what their life is about it's sort of trained to look for new trends a lot of buyers also are very knowledgeable but you know I think also a lot of ordinary consumers have become more and more visually intelligent about fashion because they've been so deluged with images I thin... Read More

Key Insights

• 👶 Exposure to fashion images has made designers, buyers, and ordinary consumers visually intelligent, contributing to the constant search for new trends.
• 🫷 The curator's role is to push fashion forward by creating exhibitions that go beyond the current fashion and inspire new ideas.
• 🧡 Tracking down designers inspired by a specific theme, like the Gothic sensibility, reflects the wide-ranging influences in fashion.
• 🫷 Important designers in fashion are those who not only create beautiful pieces but also push boundaries and innovate.
• 🏈 In American fashion, the Mevi sisters at Rodarte are considered creative and different, making them potential influencers in the industry.
• 🥰 Curating a fashion museum involves placing bets on emerging designers, similar to buying contemporary art.
• 🫷 Creativity and uniqueness are valued in fashion, both in terms of individual style and pushing the industry forward.

Questions & Answers

Q: How have designers, buyers, and ordinary consumers become visually intelligent about fashion?

Designers and buyers have a keen eye for fashion trends, constantly looking for new styles and pieces that will appeal to consumers. Ordinary consumers have also become visually intelligent due to the extensive exposure to fashion images.

Q: What does the speaker look for at fashion shows?

The speaker, who curates fashion exhibitions, attends fashion shows not for trends or potential purchases but to find inspiration for new exhibition ideas. They look for pieces or collections that might trigger new concepts or themes.

Q: Can you give an example of how a fashion show inspired a new exhibition?

When the speaker attended the Dior OT Couture show featuring women in Samurai armor, they felt validated as it aligned perfectly with their show idea about weaponized women. They reached out to borrow something from the collection to include it in their exhibition.

Q: Who are some of the all-time fashion greats?

Chanel, Balenciaga, Charles James, and Meline Vien are considered timeless fashion greats. In contemporary fashion, influential designers include Karl Lagerfeld, John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, and Miuccia Prada.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Designers, buyers, and ordinary consumers have become visually intelligent about fashion due to exposure to images, leading to a trained eye for new trends.

• The speaker, who curates fashion exhibitions, looks for fashion pieces that trigger ideas and inspire new shows, showcasing the importance of innovation in fashion.

• Tracking down designers who are inspired by Gothic elements and exploring their different interpretations is an exciting process that highlights the wide-ranging influences in fashion.