To say that Miami was a surreal experience would be an understatement. I was invited not just as a bumbling amateur but as someone who supposedly has some knowledge, some insight and has a degree of professionalism… you’re thinking ‘Yeah right!’ aren’t you?
First off, being asked to take part in a conference to about 400 people (see pic to the left of the gallery crammed with people) was a daunting experience enough. So I probably got a lot of people bored listening to me blah on about the topic of whether blogs can be considered to be legitimate fashion media. Those of you who did attend hopefully got a rounded insight on the subject as I have expressed before, it’s not as simple as saying ‘Blogs will take over media!’. Let’s just say Susan Scafaldi, with her interesting and professional presentation about copyright in fashion and Ann Claes (working for Veronique Branquinho in marketing) and her talk on the business of a young label were far more exhilarating than me going ‘Um…so….blogs eh?’.
Then there was the four day masterclass which I taught together with graphic whiz Etienne Mineur; ‘Fashion Pizel’. With five students (could not have asked for a better class really!), we guided them into making a behind the scenes short video on the other masterclasses going on using Final Cut and Adobe After Effects. Etienne was the technical wizard whereas I hopefully offered some creative advice on the style/direction. Without being self indulgent, once they’re up online, I’d like to share a few. It did feel a little odd offering advice, giving suggestions and basically acting like some sort of voice of authority throughout the experience. Hopefully the students got something out of it (mainly the technical know-how of Final Cut… which can be a pain in the arse to use…).
As for the other masterclasses, I can only say that the difference between the teaching methods in the fashion schools of US and Europe were further heightened for me as I observed them, and it’s a subject that was touched upon last year in Texas. Students were eager to show their portfolios to the masterclass teaching collective to get some ‘outside US’ advice that seemed quite invaluable to them. Even I got to take an indepth look at some students’ work who wanted to get an opinion from me (for what reason, I haven’t a clue…). Talking with the students, they revealed that teachers at their American schools seemed to stifle their creativity and push them towards something of a more commercial nature. That is not to say, it’s as simple as commercial US vs. creative Europe. That would be too compact way of summarising it all but it was quite amazing to see how marked the differences are between fashion students there and the students here.
With organisations like the Arts of Fashion endeavouring to bring a taster course of European fashion schooling to the USA, who get the chance to learn from people like Tony Delcampe (director of La Cambre’s fashion dept.), Laurent Edmond (1st asstn. to Martin Margiela in the Artisanal line), the designers behind the label Own, Natalia Brilli (an accessories designer) and Hermann Fankhauser from the label Wendy and Jim, it’s no wonder the scale of the Arts of Fashion event grows each year. I also got to know students from the States who realised that their opportunities are not limited to graduating in their own country and staying there to find a job, and that their options are more fluid than that.
My bish-bosh-bash of a video about the masterclasses and the final show is nowhere near as professional as the ones my students made but anyway…to summarise…
Hey susie!
I really loved this entry as I can completely relate. My roommate (Haejin, she made that origami shaped structured garment) was a finalist in the Arts of Fashion competition and came back with loads of things to say. She also met you and asked for your feedback but mentioned that you said that it felt very strange for you because you were young and like you wrote above, felt a little bit odd being the voice of authority. She also said that this competition was a huge eye opener for her and her reason being was because she felt like the odd one out with her piece because it was so big and virtually unwearable. Her feedback from many of the judges were around the same, very nice but too big. I found this completely interesting because you mentioned that you spoke with some finalists that felt stifled creatively by their professors. I would say the teaching in my school (SAIC) is opposite of that and from entering into the fashion department, it would be a struggle to actually do a commercial collection since our school is so fine arts orientated. Of course, this isn’t a bad thing, that’s what sets us apart from let’s say, FIT or Parsons. At every point, a student designer has to decide how much they’re willing to compromise their creativity for the wearer and should they water down a great, ambitious idea because it has to be worn? THIS is what all my fellow designers and I struggle with on a constant basis. We have big ideas, garments we want to create that bring justice to what we’re trying to say with our creative voice BUT at the cost of the consumer? In the end, you just can’t deny that money becomes a very important factor and so should we perhaps lean more towards Alex Wang’s aesthetic and grab the financial success that would come with, or refuse to compromise like Anke Loh?
I don’t really know where I’m going with this right now, I just read your entry and felt the need to say this because from the conceptual fashion design student side, it’s become increasingly difficult in America to hold our own next to the more commmercial students.
Also, my roommate said your lecture on the blogs was well done and that you displayed an incredible amount of knowledge and spoke with great style.
thanks for reading miss bubble.
Suzanna,
Thank you for attending the Arts of Fashion Event, and givng me a shout out in your video (alligator bag ladyin the tuxedo shirt)
I had the pleasure of attending your lecture in Miami as well as in Dallas. both well done.
I think Blogging is a Revolution.
The news is just someones perspective opinion, disguised as fact, funded by bias advertisers and corporations.
so thank you for your blatent opinion, and witty comments.
The biggest thing I learned from the week in Maimi, is trusting myself. when you trust your own opinion, true style shines through.
style is confidence in the moment.
an expression of emotion.
which can’t always be recorded as fact or journalism, but felt personally as opinion.
so blog on sister woman
and be proud of your care free gift of gab,
Thankful,
Toby Tyler
nice video! great to hear about the exciting opportunities you’ve been getting!
you’re quite something. i appreciate your modesty.
congratulations susie, i’m sure you did wonderfully! would you be able to provide the name of the song during the final show?
wonderful! More power Susie!
besos!
Hi.
We’re the editorial team of a portuguese fashion blog called black is back. We’ve just linked your blog in our page, ok?
By the way, very nice work!
Regards
Mariana & Tiago
Very fun video Bubble, thanks.
Thanks again Susie!
I was particularly interested in Ms Scafidi’s bit, since I’m a law student and any opportunity to pull something I love into the field of discussion, is something I welcome.
But the conference sounds interesting indeed…
ahh, seeing the hallways & classrooms brings make memories. one of my old teachers was walking by in the background.
very cool bags, target waist coats, and awesome croc hood.