Have an inspiration, but don’t be its copy
Inspiration is the divine capacity that captures an artist and how we begin to formulate thoughts and communicate them. It is the start of everything fashion, drawn from prominent surroundings such as nature, color and muses.
Lately, the industry has misused this method; a growing number of copycats feed from the same fountain and end up generating the same artistic intention. Capturing inspiration from the same source is acceptable, but approaching it from a unique angle is the missing component.
A never-ending feud in the fashion industry involves fast-fashion retail companies such as Fashion Nova — a notorious brand. They are known for swiftly copying garments and accessories, especially iconic pieces that have defined an era.
Recently, social media and its fashion followers recognized this blatant rip-off and didn’t hold back when criticizing the brand. Fashion Nova started copying certain looks model Naomi Campbell wore on and off the runway. Third-year interior design student Victoria Arenz had strong thoughts when it comes to replicating original works. “There’s nothing like the original. I feel like I have more appreciation for the original since attending SCAD,” said Arenz “I would much rather pay full price than buy a copy. In the original design, you can see the artist’s hand at work, and that’s what I have more respect for.”
Fashion Nova’s latest garments were taken from popular ’90s looks that Campbell wore for luxury powerhouse Versace — looks that established her as a fashion icon. Fourth-year fashion marketing and management student, Teryka Jones said of the issue, “I feel that there is a difference between imitating art and simply stealing someones intellectual property,” “To rip-off someone’s art without contributing to it in someway that makes it different, or without giving it the reverence that it deserves is unethical and unprofessional, but to imitate art by making it your own and giving credit is acceptable and a form of flattery.” It seems that Fashion Nova doesn’t hold much regard to the difference between inspiration and imitation.
Many of these fast-fashion garments end up being exact replicas that exhibit unoriginality, a lack of uniqueness and effort. Although it is wise to mimic a path to get to a certain state, you should envision another version that ties with your being and brand and can be distinguished from anything else.
While changes to color, length or even fabric choice could have been implemented, this exact replica was completely recreated to seem native. No other routes in its transformation and development were taken, causing disorder and distrust in the industry.
To avoid this error, you only need to adhere to three things that unconsciously arrive while in the process of inspiration: after noticing and embracing origin as an important aspect, move on towards considering the type of approach, feelings and possible memories that a piece carries with it. How you perceive it, what you contemplate about its elements and your own perspective will be the defining points that add the missing final touch towards creating your own form of art.
Following this kind of process forms an attachment as it eases one’s artistic objective in an authentic way. Inspiration is the mix of what you wish to see and what you want it to be.
