Fashion designers are always looking for inspiration. For some designers, that inspiration comes from seeing the world around them and translating what they see into clothing and accessories. For others, inspiration comes from other designers, whether it’s from looking at their work or hearing them speak about their process.
And then there are those designers who find inspiration in other forms of art, such as paintings, photography, and sculpture. But one of the most common places that fashion designers look for inspiration is television.
TV has been a source of fashion inspiration since the medium’s inception. Shows like “Mad Men” and “Sex and the City” have been credited with starting trends and inspiring new designers. But there are plenty of other shows out there that are just as inspiring, if not more so.
To help you get inspired, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 TV shows for fashion designers. These shows are a mix of reality TV, sitcoms, and dramas that are sure to get your creative juices flowing.
Friends
One of the most iconic fashion TV shows of all time, “Friends” is set in the late 1990s/early 2000s and follows a group of friends living in New York City. The fashion on the show is reflective of the time period, with the women often wearing skirts, dresses, and high heels, and the men wearing button-down shirts and dress pants.
While the fashion might not be cutting-edge, it’s still inspiring, and you’re sure to find some outfit ideas that you can modernize.
The Rachel Zoe Project
This reality TV show follows celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe as she runs her business and tries to juggle her personal life. If you’re looking for high-fashion inspiration, this is the show for you. Zoe and her team are always putting together look for red carpets, photo shoots, and other high-profile events, so you’re sure to see plenty of designer labels and couture gowns.
What Not to Wear
If you need a fashion makeover, look no further than “What Not to Wear.” On this show, style experts Stacy London and Clinton Kelly help women (and sometimes men) shop for and put together new wardrobes. In addition to getting fashion advice, you’ll also get to see some of the latest trends and styles.
America’s Next Top Model: One of the most popular reality TV shows of all time, “America’s Next Top Model” has been running for over two decades. The show follows a group of aspiring models as they compete for the title of America’s Next Top Model. While the fashion on the show is always changing to reflect the latest trends, you’re sure to find some inspiration no matter what season you watch.
Project Runway
Another reality TV show that has been on for over a decade, “Project Runway” follows a group of up-and-coming designers as they compete in challenges. If you’re looking for creative inspiration, this is the show for you. You’ll get to see the designers’ thought processes as they work on their garments and see how they translate their ideas into clothing.
Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style: In this reality TV show, “Project Runway” co-host Tim Gunn helps people find their personal style. Gunn is a wealth of fashion knowledge, and you’re sure to learn something from him whether you’re a fashion designer or not. In addition to hearing Gunn’s fashion advice, you’ll also get to see him work with some of the biggest names in the fashion industry.
Fashion Star
This reality TV show is a bit different from the others on this list, as it follows a group of aspiring fashion designers as they compete to have their designs sold in major retailers. If you’re interested in finding out more about the business side of fashion, this is the show for you. You’ll get to see the designers pitch their garments to buyers, as well as see how they react when their designs are chosen (or not chosen) to be sold.
Crazy Sexy Cool: The TLC Story
This documentary tells the story of the girl group TLC, one of the most successful groups of the 1990s. In addition to being a fascinating look at the group’s rise to fame, the film is also a great source of fashion inspiration. You’ll get to see the group’s unique style, as well as how their fashion choices helped them stand out from the other groups of the time.
Dressed
This documentary tells the story of fashion designer Ann Demeulemeester. Demeulemeester is a Belgian fashion designer who is known for her unique style. If you’re looking for avant-garde fashion inspiration, this is the film for you. You’ll get to see Demeulemeester’s clothing, as well as hear her talk about her design process.
The September Issue
This documentary is a must-watch for any fashion enthusiast. The film tells the story of the September 2007 issue of Vogue, which was the largest issue of the magazine ever published. In addition to telling the story of how the issue came together, the film also gives a behind-the-scenes look at the fashion industry. You’ll get to see how the magazines are put together, as well as how the clothing is chosen for the editorials.
Conclusion
So there you have it, the top 10 TV shows for fashion designers. Whether you want to see reality TV, sitcoms, or dramas, these shows are sure to get your creative juices flowing.