New Chapter

I used to think when you graduated high school you go to college, major in a particular field (for me it was Fashion Design), and then that's it, that's what you do for the rest of your life.  That was 17 year old me.  27 year old me has decided to leave Fashion Design and pursue a career I find more fulfilling.  Of course designing was wonderful in so many ways, the reward of seeing your product in department stores, (and actually selling out!) was exciting and motivating.  I was designing little girls clothes, from age 4 to age 16...I got to work with super talented graphic designers to come up with the perfect dog wearing sunglasses in New York (because dogs always sold so well).  I was living in Los Angeles, making good money, having a great time, and yet here I am now...I quit my job as a Girls Designer to pursue a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy. 
The problem was there was this feeling I had, a feeling that wasn't going away.  It began as an inkling - a passing thought - and grew into curiosity, which then slowlllllyyyy transformed to possibility.  I toyed around with that for a while, the hallway between curiosity and possibility, because I didn't think it would be possible to change the path I had worked so hard to lay out, the path I put so much time and effort into.  But ultimately I had to make the decision that felt right in my heart. 

I want to write about my trials and tribulations on my new journey, to help anyone who might stumble across this, and also for my own keepsake.  I know it's going to be a long road ahead, but I've already made the hardest decisions, what comes next is the rest of my life.

Inspiration

Where does inspiration come from?  As a young designer I find myself asking that on different occasions.  Do I look at what successful, notable fashion houses have done?  Do I do research the trends that months from now I'll be seeing in every knock off, cheapy fashion store out there?  Or do I say screw it all and go with what I'm feeling?

While attending Woodbury I was faced with this challenge for my senior project.  The possibilities were limitless, the only thing we were asked as young designers was to incorporate the broad theme of "living green" into our collections.  Beyond that it was up to us.  Everything we had learned up to that point was ours to use.  I remember tossing and turning at night trying to come up with an idea, a concept I could run with and not be bored by.  I tend to have a short attention span, and get bored by ideas quickly so I knew it had to be solid.  Then, finally it came to me...the human body.  How amazing, this beautiful, organic being made from organ systems that are each responsible in its success at striving.

This inspiration came to me like a light had been turned on after being in the dark for weeks.  Once it was there it grew and pushed me to create a collection I was proud of.  But inspiration comes and goes.  Sometimes I go weeks without feeling inspired, other times it flows out of me.  I appreciate design houses such as All Saints for their unique approach to designing, where doing what they are good at is amazing.  They seem to follow their own flow, not necessarily what has been said to be the next trend. 

I guess my point is that when I go looking for inspiration it doesn't come naturally.  My inspiration comes from my experiences, and how I'm feeling at the time.  But I don't think there is a right or wrong way when it comes to designing, because as long as the outcome is what you envisioned, it doesn't matter where the inspiration came from.