Wearable runway inspo comes from the fashion designers themselves - YouLookFab Forum

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Wearable runway inspo comes from the fashion designers themselves

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

This article makes a good point - whilst the fashion shown on the catwalk (runway? not sure of the difference) can be deliberately avant-garde, the fashion designers who make those outfits usually come out at the end for a 'final bow'. Watching that part of the show could therefore serve as more practical clothing inspiration, if you're so inclined:

https://www.manrepeller.com/20.....tfits.html

Follow-up reading:
Whether fashion designers design their clothes for themselves or other people: https://www.manrepeller.com/20.....othes.html
The brands in this article that do design for themselves understandably have some rather wearable looks (as far as designer fashion goes, anyway). Again, could be a good springboard if you're looking for new brands to try out.

PS - Should this be filed under 'Inspiration' or 'Fashion week'? I think it's both!

17 replies

Latest reply was from Zaeobi

avicennia

Veteran

Very interesting. I’ve noted how functional designer’s own clothing is relative to their designs. Interesting how in the second article they take pains to say they actually use their clothing.

RobinF

Veteran

I have noticed on Project Runway and shows like that, sometimes I like the designers outfits more than the one they designed!

April

Veteran

I saw the Rei Kawakubo show at the Met in 2017 and finally understood that many avant-garde pieces aren't meant to be "wearable"

https://www.metmuseum.org/exhi.....ect-images but to disrupt something.

BTW, that show was the *most* fun in terms of people watching.

Synne

Veteran

How interesting. I'd never thought of looking at what the designers themselves wear. Thanks for the heads up on this!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@avicennia I guess it's because the designers are the ones doing the designing (i.e. they need to be practical with their clothing choices)!

@RobinF & @Synne Just goes to show that inspiration can come from anywhere - there's no right or wrong way to be inspired, but some ways are certainly more realistic/ practical than others!

@April Looks like there's no right or wrong way to showcase fashion, either - although I imagine those cocoon styles must have been quite claustrophobic for the models' arms! When you say 'people watching', do you mean watching the audience's reactions to the models?

rachylou

Veteran

I have hearted this. It’s often stark how different collections are v what the designers wear. I used to like those Runway v Realway pieces magazines used to do. It’s not clear to me how often runway items appear in stores unchanged or maybe it’s that I’m not a 6’/100 lb model wearing my underpants over the dress, lol. Things never look as radical to me IRL.

April

Veteran

Zaeobi -- the clothing at the Met was all on mannequins but the people attending the show were fun to gaze at. If you hang out in the right neighborhoods in NYC, you can see lots of people who dress in semi-fantastic costumes. Like they're dressed as a ringmaster, or the Mad Hatter, or they only wear tuxedos.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Designers look like real people rather than models, and I always click on their pictures if I see them. I notice a lot of neat tailoring, practical shoes (not always) and uniform dressing.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@rachylou Lol @ underwear over dresses - new trend for F/W 2020, perhaps?

@April Oh I see, the link you gave showed people wearing the clothes so it confused me for a moment. No wonder there are so many street style blogs in NYC - inspiration abounds! There's plenty of unique street style here in HK too but it's usually still street style at its core. Don't really see costume-inspired looks here unless it's literally cosplay (anime or manga).

@shevia I suppose the models are real people too but I know what you mean. Their purpose during the shows is to swan about - not at all like most real people do in their everyday lives, lol. I admit that I don't know much about fashion designing as an occupation but I imagine the designers must get involved in direction & whatnot backstage, so practical shoes make sense. Or maybe the ones who wear heels switch out their flats from them right before they come out for the final bow. We'll never know!

Irina

Veteran

Haute Coutere shows are not exactly showcasing clothes that one can wear in real life. Clothes is handmade, produced only for a show and sized to fit a particular model. It is more of an inspiration and a display of creativity.
I know that Victoria Beckham wears her own clothes, probably from pret-a-porter collection, as well as Stella McCartney.
I remember one designer said in an interview that he wears black simple clothes when taking a bow after the show because he doesn't want to disrupt people from his creations

DonnaF

Veteran

I just finished watching a season of Netflix's Next in Fashion which I suppose is modeled on Project Runway, of which I have only watched a partial episode. It because very obvious in the competition that runway style needs to be a new look and very dramatic, not necessarily terribly wearable IRL but it's a plus if it is, and isn't costume-y. So understanding what shows well on the runway (not black!), color and interesting color combos (not subtle tiny patterns!) and superb tailoring or huge capes is a lesson unto itself. I suppose one could use the same lessons for red carpet dress.

notsaf

Veteran

Lovely. I've anyways thought this. Stella McCartney and Phoebe Philo always look fabulous.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@Irina & @notsaf it's ironic that, for such a creative field, the head to toe black has almost become a uniform on fashion designers.

@DonnaF I shall keep that in mind if I'm ever invited to a red carpet event, haha!

April

Veteran

Z -- I see why you weren't sure.

Here's a video of the exhibit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60yGE64Xzs4

I loved the Kawakubo show but the one I most regret missing was Alexander McQueen's Savage Beauty:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg0HwLAJyV0

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@April I think the video comments sum it up well - 'beautifully repulsive' for Kawakubo's exhibit & the 'Edgar Allen Poe of the fashion world' for McQueen - RIP.

Joyce B

Veteran

Interesting reads. Thank you for sharing them.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@Joyce you're welcome, hope they were of use to you