I was recently standing in the grocery checkout line when I could not help but notice all the magazines touting the latest fall fashions. Wasn’t it only August??? I was not ready to get rid of my shorts and tank tops, but there it was…tweed, leather and suede staring me in the face. I guess it was time to embrace the coming of falling leaves and cooler weather.
I bought a handful of magazines and as I started browsing through them I realized how incredibly similar fashion design is to interior design. Both industries are motivated by trends, but there are deeper connections. I found it fascinating. Perhaps if I explored these connections, I could tap into my own inner fashionista!
Here’s what I found intriguing…
“Layering”
As Clairee said in Steel Magnolias, “The only thing that separates us from the animals is the ability to accessorize”.
This is so true! A well-designed room, like a great outfit, requires layering and accessories. The accessories are my favorite part of a room or an outfit. They are what I like to call the “icing”.
When designing a space, I start with good, classic pieces and then add layers. For example–in a dining room, I start with a beautiful table, chairs and a functional server or breakfront. This is my base. Then we add in fabrics, a fabulous chandelier, a rug to ground the furnishings and window treatments to soften the shell. After that comes the fun part–the accessories. Accessories are the final layer that gives the room personality and flair.
It is easy to see how this process can be applied to pulling together a fabulous outfit. Start with a base of a few good pieces of clothing; add a layer or two that coordinate with your base outfit, and then finish it off with a final layer of accessories. Scarves, jewelry, shoes, or a great handbag are all terrific options for “icing”. Oh, don’t forget the hat. Hats are a big deal this season!
“Influence”
Inspiration is key to design. What influences a certain style or trend? Where did the designer get their inspiration? With interior design and fashion the answers seem to stem from the same place. Both industries are influenced by history and the world around us. Many design trends mimic a specific era or historical event. Also, world events play a very important role in design and fashion, as does pop culture.
“The Finishing Touch”
The “finishing touch” separates the unique from the ordinary. Anything well designed has attention to detail and quality. For example, a well-designed window treatment is art–and the finishing touch is found in the details. The quality and hand of the fabric matters, the turn and stitching of the hem can be a thing of beauty. But the “earrings to the outfit” is the trim. Braided, tasseled or jeweled, the trim is the finishing touch.
Just like a pearl button on a sweater, the intricate stitching on a hand crafted shoe, or the leather tooling on a beautiful handbag–the art is in the details.
“Inspired Designers”
Some of the most famous fashion designers have made a mark for themselves in the world of interior design. They have taken their own unique style and signature elements to create fabulous furniture, fabrics and accessories. Consider Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Diane von Furstenberg, Lily Pulitzer, and of course…Versace.
Fashion and design are both about art and the expression of your personal style–whether in your home or your wardrobe.