From Ski Slopes to Fashion Runway: Emilio Pucci's Inspiration

By Karen Lawson
Fashion Design School Review Columnist

Emilio Pucci followed an improbable path from athlete to couture designer. In the 1950’s, his experience as a skier influenced his early designs, which promoted comfort and functionality. What aspects of your lifestyle could inspire your own fashion design career?

Pucci made a name for himself in the fashion world with skiing-inspired stretch fabrics and casual sportswear previously unseen in high fashion collections. He eventually gained international fame with his flamboyant prints featuring outsized graphics coupled with improbable color combinations.

Functionality Important to Fashion Success

Most fashion design careers focus on ready-to-wear lines, not haute couture. That means functionality is as important as the visual appeal of the design. Today’s fashion consumers want a fashion savvy wardrobe that is versatile and easy to care for. Unless they’re celebrities, your clients will probably want to wear your designs more than once. You can think of fashion design as a way to solve fashion problems and meet the needs of your customers. Pucci saw a need for comfortable and stylish casual clothing, and based his first designs on his own preferences in skiwear. You can use your creativity and fashion sense to design comfortable clothing that serves a specific need or many needs. Niche designers have produced entire fashion lines for expectant mothers, healthcare professionals, and wedding parties.

Starting Your Fashion Design Career

Before you begin, ask yourself these questions. For whom will you design, and what are their wardrobe needs? How can you gain a fashion edge over competitors? How can you use your unique vision and experience to create your own signature style in fashion design? Once you’ve developed a sense of your unique design vision, it’s time to pursue formal training. A fashion design program can help you acquire the professional tools and skills you’ll need to bring your designs from initial sketches to the sales floor.

About the Author

Karen Lawson is a freelance writer whose interests include topics in post secondary education and the arts. She holds BA and MA degrees in English from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Source(s)

Life in Italy

Posted on April 19, 2007 at 02:30 PM