Ask Fashion Girl

Dear Fashion Girl,

Dear Fashion Girl,

I'm 17 and am very interested in designing clothes, but the problem is that when I start putting my pencil down to design, my head is blank. Nothing comes to mind. So you see, I can only match clothes and things but I can't seem to design my own clothes. What should I do to have more creative thoughts in designing? I would truly love to design clothes, it seems really fabulous and fun.

Sincerely, Virgie

Dear Virgie,

Every designer goes through the "blank mind" stage. Designer's block can be very frustrating! Whether designing clothing, shoes, logos, rooms, or furniture, idea inspiration has to come from somewhere. The key is to always be open and aware of inspiration sources, even from unlikely places. You never know when a lightning bolt idea will strike.

To encourage your inner muse, first go to the obvious. Study trend sources like fashion magazines and websites. Watch fashion shows on television. Visit boutiques, clothing shops, and department stores to see what people are buying. But don't limit your research to fashion-oriented sources. Keep up with trends in music, movies, TV, and pop culture.

Research a historic period or another culture. Visit any costume and textile collections at museums in your area. Who knows - you might be instantly inspired by a 1920's sleeve, an 1880's bustle, or a pair of 16th century Russian shoes. Come up with a theme for a line of clothing and build on that. Get inspired by color - choose several coordinating shades and give them interesting names.

You have an infinite variety of sources all around you. Practice sketching outfits everyday, even if just copying what you see on people. As you sketch, you will naturally make adjustments here and there on the outfits to suit your taste. Add a ruffle here, a pleat there, remove sleeves, shorten skirts. Before you know it, you're designing unique outfits! Stay open to creative thoughts and let them carry you away to designing bliss! Sincerely,