Teen Vogue was always meant to be about the young woman discovering herself, and all the different aspects and facets of herself. For Amy Astley, that core mission hasn’t changed, even as it has evolved with the times. Overall, the photography and the look of the magazine are more sophisticated now. She explains, “That’s because we’ve gotten better at what we do. We’ve grown and become more sophisticated. I’m not even the same person I was when I started it 12 years ago.”

The readers have changed and aged up with the magazine, as well. The core audience is actually in their early 20s. And by giving them a sophisticated product, Teen Vogue has been able to push the envelope over the years and make the magazine more special, sophisticated, and challenging photographically — from not only beauty, but also styling and fashion POVs (point of views) too.

So that’s what the word “teen” means for Teen Vogue — young, fresh, new. But not junior. The magazine itself was mind-blowing for many when it started, and that has only continued throughout the years. For Marie Suter, it’s working with the talents of today that are relevant.

Her first cover with Teen Vogue was Selena Gomez on the beach, and it might have been the third time she had been photographed for the magazine. Marie shares, “So it’s like, OK, what do we do now? We just tried something very different with a positive message for celebrities, about being young and fresh. Selena was a bare beauty on this cover and she looked gorgeous and grown-up.” They did less makeup, less hair. Stripped down the clothes to something simple.

From a design standpoint, Marie made it more grown-up by removing things that would steer the shoot to look a little younger. And all without redesigning or changing the essence of the magazine. So think more evolution in style. Instead of 75 colors on the page, maybe one would be good. Clean it up. Have a very clean cover. For Amy Astley, these are really beautiful. Don’t just go and do the same thing because the cover model always looks good with a red lip. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone.

It’s also helpful to seek out collaborators, especially photographers and stylists, and even the subjects themselves who will help to push you into new territory. Sticking with what you’ve always done is a problem with any creative endeavor. As Marie says, “If it’s not slightly scary, it’s not going to be special.”

Creating fashion accessories is an art that blends creativity, craftsmanship, and personal expression. Accessories, ranging from the audacious statement pieces to the refined, subtle extras, not only complete a look but also have the power to transform it entirely. This comprehensive guide is crafted to inspire and equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to start the rewarding journey of fashion accessory design. By weaving in insights from the industry, we aim to guide you through the process of creating accessories that resonate with your unique style and vision.

 

Gathering Inspiration from the World Around You

Inspiration for accessory design can be found in the vibrant hues of a flower district or the eclectic textures of urban architecture. These environments encourage designers to think outside the box and experiment with shapes, fabrics, and colors. The journey of creating fashion accessories is about pushing boundaries and exploring the playful side of design. Take advantage of your surroundings to fuel your creativity, drawing on everything from nature’s organic forms to the geometric patterns found in city landscapes.

 

Exploring Plastic, Denim, and More

The choice of materials plays a critical role in defining the versatility and appeal of your accessories. Transparent plastic, for instance, offers a contemporary edge suitable for clear handbags and avant-garde jewelry, embodying the modern fascination with transparency and minimalism. Denim, with its enduring appeal and durability, presents endless possibilities, from chic tote bags to casual wear accessories. However, the adventure of working with materials like untreated indigo denim comes with its challenges, such as the potential for color transfer. A simple yet effective test to determine colorfastness can mitigate this risk, ensuring your creations maintain their integrity and appeal.

 

The Crucial Phase of Wear Testing

After crafting your accessories, the next step is to subject them to real-world testing. Wearing your creations for a full day will reveal much about their practicality, comfort, and durability. This hands-on approach allows you to identify any issues such as pilling, cracking, or tearing, offering you the opportunity to refine and perfect your designs. It’s a process that marries the creative with the practical, ensuring that your accessories are not only aesthetically pleasing but also durable and wearable.

 

Take Your First Step Towards Fashion Innovation

For those looking to deepen their knowledge and skills in accessory design, Parsons Fashion Industry Essentials Course at Yellowbrick offers comprehensive training. This course covers everything from material selection to design principles, equipping you with the tools needed to succeed in the fashion industry.

Creating fashion accessories is a journey of creativity and experimentation. By understanding the basics of design, seeking out unique materials, and continuously refining your work, you can create pieces that stand out. Take the first step towards realizing your creative vision – enroll today!

Building your design portfolio requires employing a selective, targeted appeal. As design specialist Caletha Crawford explains: “Your first inclination might be to create a portfolio that has really wide appeal, because your goal is to get a job.”
When someone is just starting out, their goal may be to get any job, just to get their foot in the door. While that’s a good attitude—an attitude of being willing to do whatever it takes to get to where you want to go, Crawford advises selectivity.
“Maybe you are a rock star with draping, or you found a passion and a skill that you didn’t know you had in photography,” Crawford says. “Remember that you really want this portfolio to reflect you, and you want to showcase how you would be a great fit for your potential employer.” In order to do that, your portfolio really needs to clearly display your unique personality and talent.
In selecting what to showcase, Crawford advises going back and reviewing your own design history—whether it’s your history with this course, with other classwork, or something outside the scope of school entirely. Review all those things you’ve created, even those things that might reflect your preparation for getting you where you want to go.
The first thing that you want to do is go through all of your past creations, as well as those things that you’ve done with us in this course. You will want to begin selecting from all of those experiences for your portfolio. “Pull out your best pieces,” says Crawford, “because your portfolio should represent the best of your abilities.”
Crawford also cautions to look at each piece beyond merely whether it’s good or not. Look at them in terms of what each piece is going to accomplish. “Think about it,” says Crawford. “If you’re in an interview situation, or you’re sending your portfolio to a potential employer, they only have so much time to go through the material. Unfortunately, you can’t put in all of your amazing work.” So make sure each piece included in your portfolio serves a purpose.
For instance, if you’re a writer and you’re applying for a job at a publication, you would want to go through and look for those pieces that showcase, for example: your long form writing ability, your interviewing skills, or your ability to work really quickly under a tight deadline. Then pull one example of each for your writing portfolio. That’s typically sufficient to briefly show your range and abilities.
You might also want to think about those things that help provide you a story. Part of that story could very well be the process of how you get to your finished product. Your personal story is important.
Why? Because when you think about it, there are likely a lot of people who are applying for the same jobs as you. They may have a similar background in terms of schooling. They might have a very similar degree as that which you have. Thus the great differentiator, says Crawford, “is really going to be you, and how much the employer can see in you.” The question is: What makes you stand out?
To showcase your unique gifts, you may want to show your process. This is similar to when you were in elementary school and your math teacher would say, ‘Show your work.’ This will allow the potential hiring manager to see how you think, how you get from point A to point B, and ultimately how good of a fit you will be.
This deciding factor is critically important, because every company works differently. In some, you might be working within a huge team, doing one task over and over again. In others, you might have a wide variety of responsibilities, so they may want to gain an understanding of your problem solving skills. All of these factors are extremely valuable for your potential employer to know.
If you’re a writer, showing your work may require you showing how a particular assignment was received from your editor, and then how it was fleshed out. This lets you showcase your creativity, or your ability to go out and get the interviews that were necessary. Perhaps you added a fun sidebar to the story. Or were able to turn the article around in a short time-frame.
For fashion designers, this personal narrative may include showing how you took one particular photo—say, of a texture or a color—and how that then inspired you to hand dye your own fabric to create a specific effect. You will then take that same narrative all the way through to the end by styling your final photo shoot in a way that further displays whatever vibe or effect you set out to achieve.
When going through your examples of past work, this is your chance to evaluate. Here, you must decide whether you want to go through and rework some of the pieces. Perhaps there were some pieces that you did earlier in the course that need a more polished finish. Do not feel bad about that.
“It takes time to really refine and produce a portfolio-worthy piece,” says Crawford. At this point in the course, you obviously have a bit more experience. This means you will likely have a bit more confidence in everything that you’re doing, which in turn means that in reworking pieces, you’re going to be able to do it that much better.
Perfection and mastery take time. So take the time to polish off and refine your masterpieces in order to create an irresistible portfolio that truly showcases your talent. “All that time that you put in is definitely going to be worth it when you land that dream job,” assures Crawford.