33 Things That Inspired Fashion Designers and Their Collections

"Lost memories and untold stories."

"Take me away to a different place and time."

"Beautifully aged interiors evoke a feeling of nostalgia and romance."

"Worldly and courageous, always exploring new horizons, the ICB girl finds herself amongst snow-capped summits and icy peaks this season."

"Flower fields of fantasy."

"Girls Gone Wild."

"Hive."

"Cleopatra."

"Parisian."

"Off-duty librarian."

“I used Danish and Swedish modern design as the inspiration and starting off point for the for the NOVIS Autumn/Winter 2017 collection. I was particularly drawn to the contrast between linear shapes and more fluid and round design sensibility, which I have explored through use of florals, plaids, and textures and seaming details.” – Jordana Warmflash, Founder & Creative Director, Novis

“I was inspired by a recent trip to see Rothko’s latest exhibition at the Pace Gallery. Rothko’s use of color in his entire body of work is the core of my Fall/Winter 2017 collection.” — Pamella Roland

"Harmony." — Raquel Allegra

"My inspiration was in creating an intimate moment. An allure that draws you in and keeps you wanting more." — Sally LaPointe

“The fabrics in my Fall/Winter 2017 collection were inspired by Mathieu Lehanneur’s liquid marble series, which shows a sculpture that appears to be moving water but is in fact just a sculpture.” — Stephanie Rad

"Undone glamour."

“1920s Meisen robes.”

"Timeless classic." — Zac Posen

 “The Maples” is the name of one of the buildings which was used to house students of the Women’s College at Sydney University following World War One. I have fond memories of conversations with my grandmother, who I was very close to growing up, and what it was like living in Sydney in the 20’s. The starting point for the collection became a look at the life of female students attending the university during the time. We looked at these amazing photos—young women playing sport wearing traditional men’s attire—cricket whites and team blazers—slouchy sweaters, oversized coats. They smiled, they had defiance and there was something a bit roguish about it all. I’m always drawn in by a sense of optimism. And then there was the photos of the nights—thoughts of smoky danced-in rooms, a peeping sun at dawn, draped oriental silk pajama robes and demure bias drop waist dresses. The inspiration for the collection is more about the mood that the images evoked, rather than the dress of the period and the time itself.“ — Nicky Zimmermann, Creative Director, ZIMMERMANN

“Patterns from a Romanian shawl and the film Time of the Gypsies sparked the inspiration behind the collection, but we’ve stayed true to our urban roots, mixing it up with crisp fabrics and sculptural shapes.” — Caroline Belhumeur, creative director and SVP of women’s design

“This season our overarching focus is pattern, incorporating florals and various renditions of stripes paired together in a novel way.” — Matthew Millward, vice president of men’s design.

"90s hip hop." — Nicholas Kunz

"Carpet collector."

"Leavers Lace meets RTW, further melding the lines between inner-wear and outerwear."

“The exquisite detail and embroidery of Elizabethan era wedding dresses.”

"GLAMPING."

"Denim will always be at the heart of our collections. This season we continue to explore the crop flare, rigid fabrics and introduce embellishment with studs on key pieces like the oversized boyfriend jacket and mini skirt."

"Serenity."

"That which is exquisite, yet powerful."

“Plush fur and sweatshirt fleece for a winter cape that combines luxury and comfort.”

“Peeling back the layers of femininity.” — Maria Cornejo, Zero + Maria Cornejo

"This season we were inspired by Martin Creed’s work on the simple curve, the rhythm, and the lightness of a balloon."

"Decadence."

"East meets West."