During my daily googling and reads on my favorite websites, I came across an article on WWD referencing Haute Couture in China, and the words of the designer spoke the truth. Talks with the designers from the Rose Studio by Guo Pei really struck a chord with me.
“Designers in China now do not know manufacturing – they all want to be famous. But I am old school, I learned design when there was no design school in China. I knew all about manufacturing, and my husband taught me about fabrics. When we got engaged, he asked me whether I wanted a rock on my finger or 50,000 yards of free fabric. I took the fabric” said Guo Pei to Huang Hung of WWD.
Photo courtesy of thelovelyroom.com
I have noticed this trend throughout the industry, and it saddens me to see certain aspects of the industry taking this strange turn for people simply craving fame, and not designing for their love of design. I give a lot of this credit to certain television shows for this movement in the industry i.e. Project Runway, but I also believe they make it easier to wean out true talent, away from those who just want to see their name in twinkling lights.
It makes me think of my youngest sister’s very first day at Parsons – first day in a brand new city, first day at a brand new school – her professor said “If you are here because of Project Runway, then you might as well leave now.” A lot of the students who squirmed uncomfortably at such a statement were dropouts by the end of the first year.
What has drawn me in to Muuse is that there is none of that – the designers I have met and interviewed – Abigail Stewart and Daniel Silverstain to name a few, have true talent and drive because they love design and what they do. True talent will carry them forward, and I believe young talents such as these two will be the ones to break through this odd turn in the industry, along with Muuse’s other supremely talented voices.
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