The Chicken and the Egg
I recently purchased the Kyoto Costume Institute collecton's book "Fashion - A History from the 18th to the 20th Century" published by Taschen.
As always when poring over the works presented by the masters of the craft I am humbled by the incredible and intricate workmanship and attention to detail that went into the creation of each of the exquisite pieces shown. Their impact goes beyond simple admiration. Rather they inspire a deep craving to create beauty, to bring other textile creations into being that might inspire similar feelings in those who behold them. I am certain that this is not an uncommon reaction among makers.
While I'm examining the photos, I am also struck by another curious sensation - a recognition or creative deja vu. It's not because I recognize the individual pieces of clothing or the styles of the particular era they represent. Of course I have a reasonably strong background in costume history and continue to study it, so the silhouettes and the details of the various periods are familiar. It's that the details themselves are often very similar to ones I've envisioned for inclusion into designs. Often design details that I may have flattered myself to be quite "original". And yet here they are - well before my time, displayed in all their glory.
It always causes for me that perplexing "chicken and the egg" conundrum. Do we envision these details for possible inclusion into a design because we may have seen them somewhere else even though we don't remember doing so? Or is it just part of the "collective consciousness" theory - that all of us are being influenced all the time by various sources that can culminate in the spontaneous and simultaneous creation of similar designs?
Of course I am inspired by historic haute couture. Most makers have artistic predecessors whose work they admire. And many, if not most of us have learned and continue to learn from others so it seems reasonable that we may consciously or unconsciously be incorporating their inspiration into our own work.
So the question remains: is there anything truly original, especially in apparel design?
As always when poring over the works presented by the masters of the craft I am humbled by the incredible and intricate workmanship and attention to detail that went into the creation of each of the exquisite pieces shown. Their impact goes beyond simple admiration. Rather they inspire a deep craving to create beauty, to bring other textile creations into being that might inspire similar feelings in those who behold them. I am certain that this is not an uncommon reaction among makers.
While I'm examining the photos, I am also struck by another curious sensation - a recognition or creative deja vu. It's not because I recognize the individual pieces of clothing or the styles of the particular era they represent. Of course I have a reasonably strong background in costume history and continue to study it, so the silhouettes and the details of the various periods are familiar. It's that the details themselves are often very similar to ones I've envisioned for inclusion into designs. Often design details that I may have flattered myself to be quite "original". And yet here they are - well before my time, displayed in all their glory.
It always causes for me that perplexing "chicken and the egg" conundrum. Do we envision these details for possible inclusion into a design because we may have seen them somewhere else even though we don't remember doing so? Or is it just part of the "collective consciousness" theory - that all of us are being influenced all the time by various sources that can culminate in the spontaneous and simultaneous creation of similar designs?
Of course I am inspired by historic haute couture. Most makers have artistic predecessors whose work they admire. And many, if not most of us have learned and continue to learn from others so it seems reasonable that we may consciously or unconsciously be incorporating their inspiration into our own work.
So the question remains: is there anything truly original, especially in apparel design?
posted by Katrina at
11:55 AM
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