If you’ve read our blog on a regular basis I’m sure you’re fed up of hearing from us, but we can’t be the experts on everything so we have sought the expert advice of fashion undergraduate and close personal friend of Brio, Shannon Dicken. Who has provided her thoughts on what a young male graphic designer should wear in both a studio and meeting environment.
Let me introduce myself, I’m Shannon, aged 20 and I’m currently studying for a degree in fashion design at Leeds University of Art. And before you ask, no it’s not just sitting in a circle knitting and talking about your day together, which is a question I get asked a lot. I’m hoping to start my own fashion brand called ‘Shannon Louise’ in the future. But first I’m thinking of studying for a PGCE once I graduate, to open more job possibilities for me. Whilst studying, I have learnt a lot about fashion as an industry but also as a lifestyle. Everywhere I look I am acknowledging the fashion industry. In shop windows, billboards and on everyone’s bodies. Without realising it everyone is involved within fashion, whether it’s designing and creating or purchasing and wearing a garment.
I believe that everyone should have freedom with their style and appearance but to also consider what looks appealing. Studying at an arts university I see lots of unique individuals whose personalities are represented through their clothing, which is great, that is what fashion is for, to express your personality. I support people expressing their personality through their clothing and being unique with their style by playing with print, layers, colour and shape. But people also need to understand boundaries and know how and when to wear their chosen style.
I was asked by Brio Media to write a short piece on what works for a graphic designer in terms of fashion and styling. So, my opinion for the ideal style for graphic designers is to be professional, contemporary and graphic…durh! I feel that graphic designers need to know their clothing brands e.g Acne studios, Comme des Garcons, Billionaire Boys Club. Which are all very popular, contemporary and stylish brands. At the end of the day, they are the creators of promoting and creating brands.
Now don’t judge me, my ideal look for a graphic designer are cropped chinos/jeans with a sexy hint of sock showing, styled with a branded trainer. Finished with a shirt, coloured sweatshirt and a long straight tailored coat. I am a sucker for a bold print, colour clash, and the layered look. However, that only suits a handful of people. But I would suggest only wearing that look in the studio.
A meeting on the other hand, well you just can’t go wrong with a fitted suit with a hint of personality, whether that be a printed tie, shirt or a crisp brogue. But this is just my opinion, I recommend knowing the fashion trends but don’t copy, add your own personal style because that is the first thing someone looks at and judges you on, so make yourself look great. Fashion is art and you are the canvas, so explore the versatility of fashion.
Shannon has just started her final year at university so watch this space. If you would like to find out more about Shannon or view her work check out the links below.
We’re not the most fashion-driven pair but we still care about what we look like both in and outside of the studio. We consider it to be important, at the end of the day as Shannon mentioned it’s an extension of your personality and we think that can be quite hard for a designer especially when you run your own business. You’ve got to get the right combination of professional businessman (or woman) and creative.
Which can be hard at times, you don’t want to spend all day every day wearing a suit when tasks can range from sitting at a desk to cutting large format prints on the floor but at the same time, you don’t want to rock up to a meeting in joggers and a t-shirt. At the minute we both tend to wear a combination of black jeans, smart trousers, casual shirts, polos, blazers and some sort of brogue or desert shoe (and of course suits for certain clients). But we will defiantly be taking Shannons advice and trying out some new things over the next couple of months.
We hope this has inspired you to try something new. We are sorry that this article focused on menswear only, please let us know if you would like us to focus on women’s wear in a future post.
I agree that while everyone has a right to choose what to wear and may go for something they are completely comfortable in, as a designer one needs to be wise with the attire choices. One must choose something that is comfortable as well as appealing to the onlooker.