Clothing, like any other form of design, needs inspiration. It might come from a piece of art, a song, another designer’s work, or something as simple as a pattern in nature. Finding inspiration is key to creating beautiful and unique clothing designs, no matter where it comes from. In this post, we’ll explore some of the most common sources of inspiration for clothing designers. We hope you find it helpful!
Museums & Art Galleries
There are many places where you can discover art and artefacts worldwide. Some focus on a single piece of artwork or location, while others bring together masterpieces from across the globe. But what do our favourite galleries and museums in different countries have in common? The ability to make your jaw drop as soon as you enter their doors.
a) Sir John Soane’s Museum – London,
John Soane’s Museum is a house museum in Holborn, London, formerly the home of neo-classical architect John Soane. It holds many drawings and models of Soane’s projects and the collections of paintings, graphics, and antiquities that he assembled.
b) Museo del Prado – Madrid, Spain
The Prado Museum, commonly known as the Museo Nacional del Prado, is Madrid’s main national art museum. It is widely considered one of the world’s finest collections of European art, dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century.
c) The Metropolitan Museum of Art – New York City, US
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, known as “the Met,” is the largest art museum in the Western Hemisphere. Its permanent collection includes more than two million pieces, divided among 17 curatorial departments. The main building often referred to simply as “the Met,” is one of the world’s most extensive art galleries.
d) The Uffizi Gallery – Florence, Italy
The Uffizi Gallery is a prominent art museum located in the historic centre of Florence, Tuscany, Italy, adjacent to the Piazza Della Signoria. One of the most important Italian museums and the most visited, it is also one of the largest art museums in the world.
Films
The film industry has long been at the forefront of fashion, with costume designers collaborating closely with directors to design the right costumes for their characters. Designers have been inspired by iconic movies to start the catwalk trends, which are visually stimulating and immersive.
a) The Devil Wears Prada – 2006
A brilliant but level-headed young graduate gets a position as an assistant to Miranda Priestly, the tough editor-in-chief of a high fashion magazine.
The film showcases the world of high fashion in all its glory, from the incredible clothing and accessories to the fast-paced lifestyle of the rich and famous.
b) Breakfast at Tiffany’s – 1961
A young New York socialite becomes enthralled with a newcomer who has settled in her apartment complex, but her shady past threatens to ruin everything.
The film is set in New York City in the early 1960s, and the costumes reflect the trends of the time perfectly.
From Audrey Hepburn’s iconic little black dress to her glamorous evening gowns, the clothing in this film is genuinely timeless.
c) The Great Gatsby – 2013
The Great Gatsby is a 2013 historical romantic drama film based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel of the same name. The film was co-written and directed by Baz Luhrmann and stars Leonardo DiCaprio as the eponymous Jay Gatsby, with Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, Isla Fisher, and Elizabeth Debicki.
From the glamorous dresses and suits to the sparkling jewellery and headpieces, the clothing in this film is truly a sight to behold.
d) Moulin Rouge! – 2001
The film tells the story of a young English poet/writer, Christian (played by Ewan McGregor), who falls in love with the star of the Moulin Rouge, cabaret actress, and courtesan Satine (played by Nicole Kidman).
The costumes in this film are over-the-top and colorful, perfectly capturing the essence of the Moulin Rouge.
Markets
If you know what you’re looking for, markets may be an excellent source of inspiration and material. Many fashion designers despise going to a market because it’s the last thing they want to do, but markets can be an excellent resource – and even fun if you know what you’re searching for!
a) The Marché aux Puces – Paris, France
The largest flea market in the world is located in Paris’ Saint-Ouen Marché aux Puces, a vast network of warehouses, streets, and alleyways on the northern outskirts of the city. There’s something for everyone at the Marché aux Puces, with more than 2,000 stalls selling everything from antique furnishings to apparels.
b) Portobello Road Market – London, UK
The Postmarket, famous for its antique stalls, is in full swing on Saturdays, when more than 1,500 booths vie for your attention. The market also swarms with people because the London Obello Road Market is one of the world’s most renowned markets. The market is located in the Notting Hill area of London and operates daily except for Sundays.
c) The Easton Public Market – Easton, PA, USA
Easton Public Market is a year-round, locally driven indoor market featuring 14 artisanal vendors. A year-round indoor marketplace featuring the best local and regional food, farmer’s market produce, artisan goods, prepared foods, flowers, and more.
Art
Art and fashion have always had a close relationship. For centuries, artists have been drawn to the world of fashion, creating paintings and illustrations that capture the style of their times.
Fashion designers have looked to the art world for inspiration, incorporating iconic images and motifs into their designs. Some of the most famous examples of this can be seen in the work of Coco Chanel, who was inspired by the Cubist paintings of Pablo Picasso, and Yves Saint Laurent, who was famously influenced by the images of Henri Matisse.
Today, the relationship between art and fashion remains strong, with many designers looking to contemporary artists for inspiration. By looking at art through a fashion lens, designers can create truly unique and unforgettable designs.
a) The Mona Lisa – Leonardo da Vinci
The Mona Lisa is a renowned portrait by Leonardo da Vinci depicting a woman. It has been dubbed “the world’s most famous, most visited, best written about, most sung about, and most parodied work of art” during the Italian Renaissance.
Today, the Mona Lisa is one of the most recognizable paintings globally, and it has inspired countless fashion designs.
b) The Birth of Venus – Sandro Botticelli
The Italian artist Sandro Botticelli painted The Birth of Venus in the mid-1480s. It shows the goddess Venus emerging from the sea fully developed at birth as she approaches the shore, her hair wet and loose about her shoulders.
Many fashion designers have been inspired by The Birth of Venus, including John Galliano, who used it as the inspiration for his Spring/Summer 1997 collection for Dior.
c) American Gothic – Grant Wood
In American Gothic, Grant Wood directly evoked images of an earlier generation by featuring a farmer and his daughter posed stiffly and dressed as if they were from the Victorian era.
As with the other paintings on this list, American Gothic has been a source of inspiration for fashion designers. One such designer is Marc Jacobs, who used it to inspire his Spring/Summer 2014 collection for Louis Vuitton.
Travel Destinations
As a fashion designer, keeping your eyes open to the world around you is essential. Consider that everything you see can contribute to your study, including travel.
a) Tokyo, Japan
Japan’s insular culture has resulted in a unique sense of style, and Tokyo is the best place to see it. The streets are full of people sporting various fashion styles, from traditional kimonos to cosplay and everything in between.
Split into distinct areas, each with its own style, Tokyo is a veritable fashion paradise for designers looking for inspiration.
b) Paris, France
This commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France is the world’s Fashion Capital. Every season, the who’s who of fashion descend on Paris to see the latest collections from designers such as Chanel, Dior, and Givenchy.
It’s typical to see street-style stars and fashion icons such as Anna Wintour sitting in the front row at these shows, so Paris is where you’re looking for inspiration.
c) Florence, Italy
One of Europe’s great art cities, Florence is a great place to find fashion inspiration. The city was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, and its art, architecture, and culture have influenced designers for centuries.
Florence is home to some of the world’s most iconic fashion brands, including Gucci, Prada, and Ferragamo. A visit to the city is a must for any fashion designer.
Conclusion.
Fashion inspiration can be found in anything and everything. There are countless sources of inspiration for clothing design, from art to travel destinations. The key is to see what inspires you and to use that inspiration in your work.
If you have any questions or comments on fashion designing, please contact us. Lezhou Garment, with over ten years of experience in garment creation, is always interested to hear from you.