Designers and Their Muses

The REAL Matches made in Heaven

BY: Gemma Gadher, FW Writer

Following the example set by Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick in the sixties, you are not a proper designer unless you have your very own muse.
The role of the muse originated from a sisterhood of Greek goddesses who inspired the creative process. These days, muses come in the form of Agyness Dean to Henry Holland, or Sienna Miller to Matthew Williamson. Ironically enough- Sienna played original muse Edie Sedgwick in the film Factory Girl! Muses are not necessarily the most beautiful girls around but they do, however, possess the ability to look stylish at all times.
One muse, Isabella Blow, turned the table on this trend – finding the talent instead of them finding her. The late stylist served as a muse to both hat designer Philip Treacy and the now late Alexander McQueen. Proving her support to him, she bought McQueen’s entire school collection for £5,000 and even took Treacy into her home after discovering him.
Designers will not always stick with a muse forever – just look at Matthew Williamson. His original inspiration was Kate Moss, but she was soon ditched in favour of rock royalty Jade Jagger. He then swapped her for stylish Bay Garnett before switching to singer Kelis.
Williamson seemed to be settled on Sienna Miller as his muse but he has apparently dumped her for model Astrid Munoz.
It works both ways though and muses can also switch allegiances.
Lady Amanda Harlech famously ended her 12 years of inspiring John Galliano in favour of Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel. Apparently when Galliano left Givenchy for Dior the label could not match the perks offered by Chanel.

Eleven years on those perks included a permanent suite at the Paris Ritz, which Lady Harlech uses to store her couture clothes.
As well as inspiring designers, muses can also be used to make the clothes look good. Late designer Halston had an entourage, “Halstonettes,” famously leggy women such as Elsa Peretti and Liza Minnelli who would accompany him to the legendary club Studio 54.
Some designers like to keep it in the family when it comes to muses, such as Gianni Versace and his sister Donatella, or Christopher Kane and his sister Tammy. Others use writers or editors, no doubt wanting a career boost. Stephen Jones looks to fashion writer Anna Piaggi for inspiration but it is Tom Ford who no doubt has the muse to end all muses. The former Gucci creative director muse is none other that French vogue editor Carine Roitfeld.
In our opinion, being a muse and getting paid in designer clothes and hotel suites for nothing more than inspiring someone sounds like a dream come true. Maybe its time to look into whether Karl is in the market for a new one!

Marc Jacobs and muse,
Sofia Coppola