STAYING TRUE TO YOURSELF IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY
Article by Vanessa-Mac Henry | Photo Cred: Clothes and Camera
With social media platforms today such as Instagram and Twitter, we are heavily influenced on our personality, style and fashion. Sometimes social media can guide us to make up a persona or alter ego in ourselves that can alter our true image. Oftentimes we are on social media so much that we forget to separate the real from the fake, especially when it comes to fashion. Almost everything has been created so it can be hard to stay creative when most people copy and follow infectious trends.
@breath_lyss wearing @vanmanofficial curated knit sweater
I remember far before Instagram I was more myself because my platform was to be me in real life and not for social media. It wasn’t about likes, scheduled posts or business inquiries. I found that having an Instagram made me more self conscious and aware of myself especially as a fashion designer. Instagram is like our business card now. Our social media is about branding and I wanted my Instagram to match myself. Seeing others on Instagram often made me doubt myself and constantly compare myself to others. I thought that their clothing was better than mine. Trends of today are body hugging, off the shoulder easy wear. I found myself designing more for what is expected and on trend rather than my design aesthetic. That was hard because I didn’t want to forget who I was as a designer or who my customer was.
Van Mac Official | Photographer: @jeevanportraits | Model: @teddytemz
In design school we are taught to look at other designers as inspiration but I think that is a bad idea. You have to create your own platform and have a voice. If you try to be someone you’re not, it won’t work out. You have to stay true to your aesthetic and vision. I had to realize that Instagram is my platform to be creatively free and create my own content. No matter how many followers I have.
Tips to stay original in fashion
Put all phones, Ipads or tablets on “do not disturb”. Being technology free can help your brain focus a lot more and think better.
Read fashion reference books (buy them if you can afford it)
Watch fashion documentaries. Seeing the hustle and work ethic can inspire you to find your niche.
Eat healthy which can make you feel better and more inspired. Also, drink plenty of water.
Collect paint chips at Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot or any hardware store.
Collect old fashion magazines. Recent ones are nice as well but it’s nice to be inspired by something that is from another time period.
Sit in a beautiful setting that can inspire you such as a park. Also, take some original photos along the way (Stick to a color scheme that you like).
Keep a mini sketchbook and collect photos you like. Also, sketch and write what comes to your mind.
Keep photos of family or places you’ve been, can’t forget where you come from.
Get in your feelings about what you like and what you don’t like in life or about yourself and put it into your designs.
ABOUT VANESSA HENRY
Vanessa Mac – Henry is a fashion designer and host of “The Van Mac Podcast” which can be found on Spotify. Follow her on Instagram at @_vanmac and check out her website https://www.vanmanofficial.net/
