Fashion 101: Should Designers Reflect Their Collections?

This Man…

 designed this…

Riccardo Tisci was brought onto Givenchy in 2005 and given the position as Chief Designer of womens ready-to-wear and haute couture. Following the footsteps of great designers before him, John Galliano and Alexander McQueen, Tisci was appointed to make the brand once favored by the Kennedy’s and Audrey Hepburn translatable to today’s customer.

Of course, in all this hubbub it seems the brand forgot to give Riccardo a wardrobe. With 10 day old scruff and a tee shirt better befitting a high school student, the 33 year old designer looks like an amateur in the game of fashion, forgetting one of the dead set rules of those dedicated to their craft, always represent your collection.

Many designers out there forget this simple, yet appropriate direction. They create amazing $1000 dresses but sport $15 tees and baggy, sloppy jeans.  I can image the rest of Riccardo’s outfit in the picture above; faded, ripped jeans, Converse, a skateboard and a dubbie in his back pocket. While refusing to fit a mold is an admirable pursuit, being so opposite to your brands image may in fact alienate you from your target customer. If you were introduced to Riccardo in his laid back get up your first impression would be “amateur”.  The gut reaction he would receive is that of someone who doesn’t take is work seriously and thus is not displaying his full potential on the runway.

For young designers, it is especially important to translate your collection onto your everyday wear.  Thom Browne is the perfect example of someone dedicated to his craft. While he may be the only man on the planet who wears Thom Browne suits, you know the reason isn’t cause he’s not actively promoting his wears. Thom rocks his high water crafted suits on the street, to events, and has even been seen rocking jackets with “I’m Thom Browne” embroidered on his back. Dedication.

So next time you’re heading out be sure to rock a piece from your collection or at least dress in something that reflects your brand. If you a tee shirt designer, rock tee shirts. But if you’re a high-end couture designer in charge of one of the largest fashion brands in the world, try not to pull a Riccardo and look like a complete burnout.

(photos courtesy of WWD, Style.com)

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