Industry movers and shakers come together to discuss creativity and fashion

On January 29, 2005, Tom Ford, former Creative Director for Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, will be among the top fashion designers, entertainment executives, filmmakers, musicians, journalists, and fashion historians meeting in Los Angeles to participate in Ready to Share: Fashion & the Ownership of Creativity.

Hosted by the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center’s Creativity, Commerce & Culture project, and sponsored by FIDM/The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Ready to Share will provide a forum for this gathering of creative professionals to discuss the creative dynamics of the fashion industry and its implications for other creative industries.

The fashion industry is a classic case study in the sharing of creativity. A fashion designer’s inspiration comes in many forms. Whether it’s vintage patterns, the latest red carpet fashions, or even foreign cultures, today’s designers often reinterpret and reuse existing ideas and designs. Remember Coco Chanel’s famous little black dress?

If she only knew how many designers were inspired by her creation! Think about a fashion label like ABS that recreates award show couture gowns worn by celebrities like Charlize Theron. So, while copyright laws are strict in the film and music sectors, the fashion community often shares resources that are freely reused and transformed by other creators.

These innovative ideas and many others will be discussed by debating panelists and illustrated through multimedia presentations. A highlight of Ready to Share will be a fashion show produced by FIDM Museum Curator Kevin Jones, featuring FIDM Alumnus and Los Angeles women’s wear designer Kevan Hall.

Attendance at this special event is by invitation only. For more information, please visit www.readytoshare.org.