Anna Wintour, American Vogue Editor in Chief (like she needed an introduction), headed over to Central Saint Martins in London this month to impart some expert fashion advice to the students. Here are some of her best outtakes.
GET YOURSELF OUT THERE
“We started a fashion fund back in 2001 after 9/11 to support young designers in the States and what we’ve done recently is that when they have an application form we also ask for a video. How they present themselves publicly is important. In today’s world you have to interact. You can’t be some difficult, shy person who is not able to look somebody in the face; you have to present yourself. You have to know how to talk about your vision, your focus, and what you believe in.”
JUST BECAUSE YOU START YOUR OWN LINE, IT DOESN’T MEAN YOU’LL MAKE IT
“Going straight from school to starting your own business…not that many succeed. I personally would advise you to think carefully before you start your own business, and consider possibly working for a designer or a company whose work you admire.”
GET A JOB
“Whether it’s working as a designer or working in a restaurant and then doing your own thing in your own time, (work) is a reality of life.”
AN INTERESTING CREATIVE PRESENTATION IS JUST AS EFFECTIVE AS A FASHION SHOW
“I see people who are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for fashion shows, which I simply don’t think is necessary. A presentation gives us all an opportunity to meet you, rather than to go and sit in some dark room somewhere and wait for you to start, then have no time to say ‘hello,’ and rush off to the next one.
THE SEASONS YOU THINK MATTER, DON’T
“The basic truth of the matter is that 80% of what sells in the stores are the mid-season collections: resort and pre-fall. So when you’re ready don’t ignore it, because it’s going to be something that will help you pay the bills.”
