The Power of Inspiration - part 2

The 80's...Oh, 80's, 80's, 80's,  I miss the 80's. I started my career in fashion in the mid-80's. I landed a job as in-house designer for a garment factory that supplies Ready to Wear clothes for Rustan's ( a high end Department Store in Manila ). I got the job just a month after I finished my course in Fashion Design. I was terrified to learn from a friend who recommended me for the job that I have to go for a job interview. It was my very first and have no idea what i'm gonna say wth my interviewer. The minute I sat at the chair inside the office of the owner, who eventually became my boss, there were a lots of thought running in my mind. "What if I'll just go and not accept the job or stay and give it a try " and so on.

On one table near me I noticed there were fashion magazines, mostly the thick ones ( Collezioni, Moda, Sketchbook and more). I decided to browse to entertain myself while waiting, then, voila! A fabulous photos of fashion shows from several designers collections appeared in front my very eye. It was, again, my first time to see a magazine like that with complete coverage of fashion shows. I checked each page, from one image to another. All designers offered different distinct look but following the same trend ( most of them ). The look was so tailored and yet feminine; wide shoulders, tight waist, wide legged trousers and super high spike heels. Very sharp, it has power!...it's "Power Dressing."

the 80's Power Dressing

The most popular designers looks at that time as far as I remember were from Thierry Mugler, Norma Kamali & Claude Montana. The big shoulders looked sooo amazing, very vogue! Almost every woman on planet earth wore shoulder pads that time. You're not "in" if you're not. Several sizes of  waist cincher made from leather, faux leather and fabrics, as well as bold prints in geometrics were so relevant and a must have. Since these trend was more on tailoring details it became very appealing to me. Because the YSL and the Chanel signature looks were somehow already embeded on my mind and has become my basis on every design I make and looks I prefer. I'm also bias with "clean" silhouettes and yet edgy, not so much on fussy embelishings and unwanted accessories that makes the whole design "very busy."

                                               Claude Montana

                                    Norma Kamali

                                                        Thierry Mugler

I know that the 80's was the era of "Excess" not only in fashion but in lifestyle perse. But I'm so thankful that there's these designers who opted to create a collection that were very chic and elegant but not boring! There were theatrical collections like the ones from Thierry Mugler and Jean Paul Gaultier but theirs were exceptional, you'll get inspired and ask for more of their work.


That moment what happened to me was, I got energized, like a car refilled by gasoline. My interview went well, whew! I was able to say what I have to say. Thank God for all the images I saw on the magazines it helped me a lot to boost my confidence.

                                             

                                                                 Jean Paul Gaultier

( Part 3 in progress )

The Power of Inspiration - part 1

I believe that my appreciation with arts and fashion started during my tender age of 6. I was browsing the Reader's Digest of my father who regularly subscribe every month, when i got so amazed with the photos posted inside of several tourist destinations in other countries and about the 10 Wonders of the World. I got attracted with the Eifel Tower in Paris because of it's unique architecture and the perfectly arranged ligthings. It's still very vivid in my thougths until now how I keep on flipping back to those pages to have a look of the images again and again. My attraction has drove me to have interest to see other beautiful places, landmarks and museums in other coutries, and to research about their people and cultures as well.

Since then, little did I know that my interest in the City of Lights has turned into a dream, a dream to be there...to feel the city or maybe to "belong". I haven't been there until now, but i'm not loosing hope that I'll be there someday...Bonjour Paris!

                                                                                          the Eifel Tower

About the fashionista inside me, it was also started from the images on the magazine but this time it was on Vogue, the very first glossy fashion magazine i've read. Since then, I begun reading articles about fashion and appreciate every aspects of it. I  also started sketching clothes and try to copy fashion images as my guide.

Fashion images fascinates me, as always. My eyes were glued when i saw for the very first time a fashion pictorial of one of the top international fashion designers (in fact, an Icon) latest collection in that issue of Vogue. I didn't have any idea then the existence of Fashion Designers until that moment opened my eyes that there is such being. It was the designs of YSL or Yves Saint Laurent that captured my designing potential and gave me such excitement that i felt new at that time. 


The King of Couture was my very first inspiration in fashion. His designs and aesthetics has become my pattern, and paved the way for me to discover and developed mine through the years. Even he "left" the couture world he's still is my ultimate icon in fashion.


He once said "Style never go out of fashion." And that I definitely agree.

                                        Yves Saint Laurent   

Gabrielle Chanel or better known in the whole wide world as Coco Chanel has the same impact in me like i have with YSL. The first time I read her life story and contribution in the world of fashion I got encouraged with her strong persona and her drive to push her vision in the early 20th century. Though, there were so many disappointments on her way and pains in her personal life she was very determined to achieved her dream, no matter what it takes.

The Mademoiselle's misunderstood character and temper were part of her package that created a big mystery and curiosity on her followers and colleagues. Coco never compromised, what you see is what you get.


By knowing all these from her story it gave me the determination to push my ambiton to have a career in fashion. I have my share of disappoinments and bumpy roads in this glamourous world and yet serious business. But from what I have learned from her courage and enthusiasm I move forward and keep my focus on improving more of my craft and knowledge. At the same time to do something  worthy to share in the industry where I'm in.

                                                 Coco Chanel

There are a lot of things to get inspired. Just to think and look at the people who  care and love us, the wonderful places we have visited , the blessings we have received from the work we have done and even our present situation may it be good or bad, somewhere, somehow there is an underlying purpose why we are in that position or place.

We are the ones who will choose where we want to be and what we become. It's just a matter of how do we see and treat life. With a positive outlook I'm definitely sure we'll get inspired. 

The power of inspiration may not come all the time but it's always available everyday.

( If you have comments or simply encouraged for what I have shared here in my blog, please write and share it with me. I want to learn from you.)

Part 2 in process