Anna Wintour, the famous editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine, once said, “Fashion’s not about looking back. It’s always about looking forward.” While Wintouris commonly praised for her keen, trendsetting eye, she is also known for supporting and promoting young designers. In fact, the 2003 launch of Teen Vogue magazine, under the watchful eye of Wintour, created a launching pad for cutting-edge artists and has helped shape the future of the fashion industry.
On October 22, FORA.tv presented the 6th annual Teen Vogue Fashion University event, bringing together both established and up-and-coming designers. Finding inspiration, the drive to succeed and how to trust in oneself were just a few of the topics discussed.
Michael Kors
Before Michael Kors became known as a designer of classic American sportswear or a judge on Project Runway, he was a young, fashion-minded teenager, inspired by the changes he saw in front of his mirror . “I would save up for that pair of boots or jeans, put them on and suddenly see a transformation in myself.” Kors’ belief in the transformative effect of fashion inspires him to this day as he creates accessible clothing designs for men and women. “Part of my job is to help people figure out the puzzle of getting dressed so they can feel good about themselves,” he said.
Alexander Wang
Alexander Wang’s meteoric rise in fashion began with $200,000 in seed money from the CDFA/Vogue magazine fashion fund to expand his fashion line, which he conceived while attending Parsons (The New School for Fashion) in New York City. While the grant boosted his career, Wang credited a strong work ethic as the real driver behind his success. “When I moved to New York, the first thing I wanted to do was get a job or an internship and learn as much as I could, even before starting school.” Wang believes that he gained valuable perspective and focus during those initial internships that helped shape his future vision within the industry.
Jason Wu
In 2008, Jason Wu was selected to help design a gown for Michelle Obama to wear at the inaugural ball in Washington, DC. Even though the young designer was under considerable pressure and deadlines to create a classic dress suitable for a First Lady, Wu stuck to his instincts, trusted in himself and his abilities, and focused on his subject rather than getting caught up in the moment. “People asked me how I was able to handle creating a dress for the First Lady, considering I was such a young designer. But instead of thinking about the history and the significance of the event, I simply created a dress that I knew would match her style and elegance.”