2008 Woodie Awards
Talking style with Lindsay Fox
Saddleback's fashion department chair talks about campus vogue and bad student trends.
Kara Willingham
Issue date: 9/19/07 Section: Style
Q: First off let's start with what or who inspires you fashion wise?
A: Many things. Lately travel, nature and other cultures have been very inspirational. Fashion history, art history and other design areas also are very inspirational. We often see trends, for instance, in interior design before fashion designers interpret them. Magazines, periodicals, industry trend reports and web sites are also wonderful. Magazines geared to the general public that I think are particularly good are Lucky and Instyle magazine. Materials, fabrics and trims themselves can also be very inspirational. Sometimes even limitations to design can inspire you in new ways. Sometimes "problem solving" can take you in amazing directions that you did not think possible.
Q: Okay, so what do you think of what your students wear?
A: My students and all the Saddleback students are very inspirational - both their work and what they wear. Southern California is at the center of skate/surf industry. The entire world looks to us as the leaders of what is "cool" in casual/sports wear. The industry has actual "Cool Hunters" that comb Southern California for "cool" young people who are starting the trends on the street, beaches, clubs etc. They take pictures of what is being worn and sell that research to apparel companies all over the world as "inspiration" for their lines. Often we think of N.Y.C. and Paris as the center of fashion. They are still important markets, but for casual wear, which is what most of us are wearing these days, Southern California is it. This is one of the reasons our fashion department at Saddleback is so fortunate and strong!
Q: The students on campus definitely express themselves with their style, but let's talk about you. What is your favorite item of clothing?
A: My favorite item of clothing? What? Just one? You must be joking! If I had to pick one item it would be something that I actually have never worn. Unfortunately I have never had the place. It is couture Vivienne Westwood bustier. It is a wild and wonderful piece that I was lucky enough to find at a designer resale place. I have brought it many times to class to share with my students. They all marvel at it and one of my fellow instructors threatens to steal it from me.
A: Many things. Lately travel, nature and other cultures have been very inspirational. Fashion history, art history and other design areas also are very inspirational. We often see trends, for instance, in interior design before fashion designers interpret them. Magazines, periodicals, industry trend reports and web sites are also wonderful. Magazines geared to the general public that I think are particularly good are Lucky and Instyle magazine. Materials, fabrics and trims themselves can also be very inspirational. Sometimes even limitations to design can inspire you in new ways. Sometimes "problem solving" can take you in amazing directions that you did not think possible.
Q: Okay, so what do you think of what your students wear?
A: My students and all the Saddleback students are very inspirational - both their work and what they wear. Southern California is at the center of skate/surf industry. The entire world looks to us as the leaders of what is "cool" in casual/sports wear. The industry has actual "Cool Hunters" that comb Southern California for "cool" young people who are starting the trends on the street, beaches, clubs etc. They take pictures of what is being worn and sell that research to apparel companies all over the world as "inspiration" for their lines. Often we think of N.Y.C. and Paris as the center of fashion. They are still important markets, but for casual wear, which is what most of us are wearing these days, Southern California is it. This is one of the reasons our fashion department at Saddleback is so fortunate and strong!
Q: The students on campus definitely express themselves with their style, but let's talk about you. What is your favorite item of clothing?
A: My favorite item of clothing? What? Just one? You must be joking! If I had to pick one item it would be something that I actually have never worn. Unfortunately I have never had the place. It is couture Vivienne Westwood bustier. It is a wild and wonderful piece that I was lucky enough to find at a designer resale place. I have brought it many times to class to share with my students. They all marvel at it and one of my fellow instructors threatens to steal it from me.
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