Ever heard this from a Nigerian Designer? So and so designer copied me? Yes I have and I am so tired of hearing that. The truth of the matter is research and inspiration are important elements in designing a collection and everyone I repeat everyone finds inspiration from various sources at any given time be it from travel, artwork, architecture, past, movie, museum, a muse, another designer’s work etc.
A common source of inspiration for most designers’ world over is the past. Bygone eras are always a source of inspiration probably because there really is nothing new that has not been seen before in some shape or form. “Every thing you can imagine is real,” said Pablo Picasso… in other words, very few designs are new. Every decade sees a revival of style from the past decade. It is therefore second nature for designers to draw illustration from the past to create the future. You can be inspired by someone else’s work and still be able to make it your own that’s what makes designs original – i.e. when you bring your own personal response to your inspiration. Take the Asymmetric Hemline Trend for example; it’s been incorporated several ways by several designers each with the designer’s touch.
The fashion world is revolving from the past to the present and the future. But, the good thing is that it is only getting better and more colourful. Nothing is lost in learning from the past designs, but a lot is gained from learning from somebody, be, it the past or the present.