DESIGNERS AND MUSES
The light of a muse shines so brightly that few can deny her power. Both enigmatic and charismatic, she is an undeniable force for creatives to produce the highest versions of their artistry. Thousands of years before the dawn of Pinterest boards, ancient Greeks worshipped beautiful goddesses who inspired them to craft ornate pottery, jewelry, and even literature. Though our craft has evolved, the sentiment only wavers slightly, with muses sometimes being seen by society as human goddesses worshipped through press coverage and social media shares.
What makes a muse? How can you find such a force - one with the ability to guide designers towards crafting collections that change the boundaries of couture? Perhaps the most striking example of such a discovery would be Kate Moss. A true diamond in the rough, Moss was scouted at fourteen years old in a JFK Airport terminal while smoking a cigarette. At 5’8”, one of the most iconic names in modeling and fashion history was below sample size. Not to mention her front teeth were gapped and her legs were bowed - this was far before talent scouts ever considered something out of the ordinary as beautiful. It was clear that talent scout Sarah Doukas saw something in Kate, and her intuition certainly paid off. With a golden ticket in her hand to some of the world’s most prolific designers, it was only a matter of time before one of them would claim her as their muse.
It wasn’t just fashion designers that claimed Kate as their muse. A laundry list of creatives, including writers, photographers, and even W Magazine designated Moss as their inspiration. Marc Quinn sculpted a depiction of Moss in gold titled Siren, on auction for over £300,000. This sculpture was the largest gold sculpture since King Tut in ancient Egypt and provides a social commentary on how models have become celebrities and cultural icons. Bansky honored her in a Warhol-inspired piece that takes reference from the late artist's work with Marilyn Monroe. The comparison isn’t too far off - two blonde bombshells known for being sex symbols and breaking the status quo. Both women inspired other women to embrace their femininity in seemingly opposite ways, one with traditional Hollywood glamour and the other with “heroin chic” British grunge - though each striking and beautiful in their own right.
Perhaps above all others, it is the legendary John Galliano who stated Moss was his “greatest muse,” a title a million girls would truly kill for. It was Galliano’s show in the early 90s that was Moss’ debut - from her star kept shining brighter and brighter without stopping. The pair have collaborated on and off the runway countless times, with Galliano making dresses for Kate’s 21st and 30th birthdays as well as her world-changing wedding dress. The dress, given the nickname The Great Gatsby, was inspired by 1930s silhouettes and crafted with opulent gold trim and sheer panels. The gorgeous gown was even on display in Moss’ home city of London at the Victoria & Albert Museum. It works so well because it is a testament to what made Kate stand out from her early days as a teenage tour de force - her free spirit and rock n’ roll nature. Kate is someone who pushed the boundaries of what it means to be a model. Not fitting the strict industry conventions, but undeniably beautiful, with a strong personality and a willingness to do whatever it takes to get the shot.
