In this week’s toolbox we analysed a collection and got inspired off it to make a shoe collaboration with the same brand. This task was my favourite one so far, because I feel like it challenged me.

Here are a few questions I’d like to answer:

How might you now view a designer collection differently?

Answer- Now I feel like I would notice more in a collection than I did before. It is important to understand the concept firstly, then diving in to find details that link directly to the theme. There are references everywhere. Everything from the colours, to the styling, and the texture could mean something. 

I will also start focusing on the silhouettes more often because that is often something I don’t focus on. I will also be noticing how many times the same fabric, seam or cut is repeated. Because most pieces in a collection are linked because of a common fabric being used. I would like to notice what apart from the fabric links them together, and what ties them together as a story, A collection should look like they’re all outfits for a party with the same theme, that is how I’d describe a collection now.

What were some of your limitations when designing a sneaker?

Answer- I feel like a few limitations were that I couldn’t creatively go completely overboard, so I could focus on the functionality as well. I had to make sure I don’t go too far. I also couldn’t figure out a way to fully include frills properly because they’re too frail to be put in a shoe. I also had trouble constantly sticking to the theme of the collection I was making the shoe off, I had to keep in mind details from the collection, I had to make sure the shoe fits into the same narrative as the collection.

Why is accessory design in fashion just as important as clothing? 

Answer- A good accessory always enhances an outfit, it takes it from a 7 to a 10. It adds to the story of an outfit, and makes it look like more effort. Sometimes it even brings out the best in an outfit. Like heels could make a pair of baggy pants go from home pyjamas to a night-out outfit. Accessories turn basics into a more stylish look. I think accessorising well can make a person seem way more fashionable than they actually are. A good pair of shoes, or a hat could make or break an outfit easily. Also another pro would be that, you will never feel like you’ve run out of clothes, because different accessories make one outfit look completely different. So you could just use the same outfit over and over again, while drastically changing the accessories being used.