As creatives, we are fueled by what inspires us. It is the basis of our work. Everything we do to create has a purpose or inspiration behind it, whether we realize it or not. It may be because of a book we read, a film we watched or we just thought something would look really cool — it’s all inspiration.
We create our best work when there is a fire inside of us, not just a spark. It’s so much more satisfying willing our ideas into fruition and doing so by giving our all. The Connector spoke with fourth-year fashion student Bria Sanders on the importance of true inspiration and how drastically it affects the artist and their work.
The Connector: What are you inspired by?
Sanders: I’m one of those people who think you can find inspiration anywhere — it just depends on what you’re looking for. For me, it’s like, “What am I trying to create? What is speaking to me, personally?”
My senior collection is inspired by the recent sexual harassment in media. I’m definitely a feminist. Part of my inspiration came from these pictures of flowers that I saw growing through cracks in the sidewalk and on the side of buildings. It just reminded me of how women are able to grow and flourish, despite our oppressive environment.
The Connector: We’ve all been stuck in a creative rut. How do you pull yourself out of that?
Sanders: This is how I felt last year. I was in senior collection, but I actually failed. That really put me in a place where I couldn’t think of anything creatively. Sometimes it comes when you least expect it. If you’re in a rut, talk to your peers. We’re fortunate enough to go to a school full of creative people. Usually your friends are pretty good critics — your good friends anyway. Go to the library. We always forget that we have books. We’re such digital people now.
The Connector: Are you big on researching?
Sanders: More so now, but that’s the way SCAD trained me to be. You have to get really nitty gritty and do everything by yourself. If you know what you’re looking for, you’re more laser focused.
The Connector: Do you look at other designers?
Sanders: I do, but I try not to look at them too much. You can get inspired by other designers, but we have to break away from always looking at what’s already been done. We don’t get innovation from looking backwards. That’s why we’re always stuck in these trend cycles. Our job as designers is to try and find that new thing. I wasn’t really impressed with recent fashion weeks.
The Connector: Is there anything you try to stay away from, besides looking at other designers?
Sanders: I feel like oversized garments on the runway are overdone. Oversizing is always an easy fix to make things look different, but you don’t always have to.
The Connector: What’s been your favorite look or project, and what was the inspiration?
Sanders: It might be this collection. I’m doing lingerie for the first time and I’ve been wanting to do it for about a year. I love this idea of empowering women through their bodies. To show yourself off is strong, but vulnerable in a sense. All of my professors thought I couldn’t do it, so that fuels me to prove them wrong. The subject matter is close to me, because I’ve personally experienced sexual harassment — but that’s another conversation. I feel strongly about that, so I wanted to express that to the world.
To keep up with Sanders’ work, check out her website here.
