About a month and 1/2 prior, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to hear Catherine Malandrino speak at work. Being a fanatic of extracurricular activities of lectures and extended learning, I've attended a handful of similar events, some more less thrilling than others. But nonetheless, I was thrilled to meet Malandrino in person. Within minutes, I was captivated. Her poise, wit, and humor held the room for 90 minutes...and we all walked out creatively refreshed and energize.
She starts off with, Clothing is magic...it makes you feel a certain way.
With designing, you never start with the product, it always starts with the EMOTION. Bring the story linked to the clothes.
Malandrino then elaborated and stressed the originality of the product. Where is the emotion behind it? She has 4 GOLDEN RULES OF DESIGN:
1. Don't forget to DREAM
2. FACE YOUR FEARS-tackle them-and don't let them stand in your way
3. Service yourself with LOVE. Be able to FORGIVE & surround yourself with POSITIVE &STRONG PEOPLE. Give the best version of yourself...all the time...this will aid in CREATIVITY
IF YOU CANNOT GIVE WITHIN, YOU CANNOT CREATE
4. Never forget the POWER OF SEDUCTION
Being French, Malandrino suggests that Seduction is far more prevalent her native land, where the POWER OF PRESENTATION is a lost art in the States...that everyone is too efficient (hey NY'ers, does that ring a bell)
Malandrino grew up in the countryside of France and began her career of designing with sketching at the age of 10. Even at this early age, she recognized the POWER OF CLOTHES & DRESSING AS A FORM OF EXPRESSION. And this still resonates in her life today-needing to be seduced by her own design to be able to put it into the world. In her words, "Give the customer something to dream about. This is the essence of human nature."
Beginning in knitwear, and moving into couture, she tosses the ideas around of disposable vs. statement pieces and how, "Clothing is a great tool to build yourself. It must have both the balance of content & great fit."
"As a designer, you must be nourished by the whole world and design for everyone."
Her checklist for good designers:
1. Designers must know their level of CURIOSITY (books, music, travel, where they get their ideas)
2. They must cultivate their own unique qualities.
3. Always reinvent
One of the fantastic memories Malandrino shared was the time she was first introduced to Diane von Furstenberg. At the time, DVF was staying on the top floor of the Carlyle Hotel. Catherine walks in, and Diane is lounging on the chaise, tells Catherine to undress, and put on the infamous wrap dress.
DVF, "How do you feel?"
Malandrino, "I feel like a woman!"
End Scene....and the rest is fashion history.
Malandrino wraps up the lecture stating that it was a bumpy ride to success, but despite the difficulties, always keep positive, don't dwell, and don't waste your time thinking of the hard times....instead, FOCUS ON IMPROVING YOUR ASSETS.
Putting her words to paper, makes me feels just as inspired as the day I heard her speak. Malandrino's words, just as her designs, are timeless in nature.
