No contest.

[kambriel]

I was responding to a friend's comment about competition in the world of fashion design and it made me think. See, I'm strange in the sense that I don't view other designers as competition. I never have. I remember in early 1994 when I decided to put out my first catalogue, I called Lana Michelle from "Blackened Angels" (do some of you still remember her beautiful work?), and told her of my plans. I told her I didn't want her to feel like I was competition, that we were friends, and there was more than enough room for each of us to do things in our own vein. She totally agreed, and we were mutally supportive of eachother ~ she made clothes for me, I gave her enough cotton-lycra to make the samples for her upcoming catalogue, etc...

For me, ideally, it would always be that way. I felt that same kind of connection with Laura from "the Pale Court" as well. That connection we shared of walking a similar path, but each in our own respectful way filled with mutual admiration and respect, made me feel even more like I lost a sister when she died last winter.

Even if someone tries to copy something I do, I still don't view them as competition. I've never been in a competition with anyone but myself. Everyone else is doing their own thing. For those who are creative and following their own vision (and we are lucky to have lots of brilliant designers in the goth scene doing this!), I have great respect and admiration for them. For those who try to ride on other's coattails and visions as a means to take what they see as a shortcut to success, I figure they won't be around for long since most people get wise to that sort of behaviour pretty quickly. People can tell when there is an honest passion behind the work ~ they can also tell when that aspect is missing. When young designers are just starting out, sometimes they are more apt to want to copy things they've seen, but I find that if you give them time, as they become more comfortable with themselves as individuals, and learn to trust their maturing instinct and growing skills, they will eventually evolve until their creations truly become something of their own creation.

I've never seen the design world as an either/or place, so I don't quite get the mindset of seeing fellow designers as competitors. There's room here for everyone to work from their own sense of style and vision. It's not like the public only has room to buy from this designer or that designer. Let's give people more credit than that. Perhaps I'm the exception to the rule, but that's how I have felt ever since my own beginnings. I've never thought there was much, if anything, to be gained from being defensive against the people who walk the path nearest to your own. This holds true in most other parts of the scene/day to day life as well ~ you've all probably seen or experienced times when people who are most at odds with eachother, in essence have more in common with eachother than practically anyone else.

A long diatribe, but I felt like expressing my viewpoint on one small dynamic of design. Of course for the other designers on my list, you're most welcome to comment with a differing viewpoint if you wish. I'm always interested in how people can see the same things in different ways.


~ Kambriel

[Kambriel.com ~ Etsy ~ Bluesky ~ Twitter ~ Tumblr ~ Facebook ~ Instagram]

Comments

[mystress.livejournal.com]

Well spoken, Kambriel. One designer can't design for everyone, and it's really wonderful to see various folks' interpretations...

[slipshodsally.livejournal.com]

Well, I pretty much expect other "designers" to copy me!
(whoa! That sounded arrogant! *giggles* )
But really, it can be annoying, but it just drives one to think bigger and better!

[meddevi.livejournal.com]

"For those who try to ride on other's coattails and visions as a means to take what they see as a shortcut to success, I figure they won't be around for long since most people get wise to that sort of behaviour pretty quickly."

That's the sort of thing I keep telling myself when I start to get frustrated over copycats....if you are THE source of your ideas, the only person you compete with truly is yourself. The others who copy lack the ingenuity to create for themselves, and mostly all they ever do is copy--and there is something about what these people do that really does show it.

Meanwhile, there's a totally different feel to different designs who may find the same source of inspiration, totally independently. It's just something you can tell (well, you, me, and other creative people...I can't speak for the whole world...not today anyway ;))

[nicosian.livejournal.com]

I've never felt "threatened" by people inspired by my work. I'd wonder outright at direct copying, but so far it's a non issue.

I do get quite a few people who see my work and go "oh! that much for a chain?" well, yeah. they take at least 4 hours to do. I'll even hand them pliers and the 18g steel rings ( ok, the hardest ones to bend) and let them try if they feel inclined to.

I'd much rather work WITH people than against. I work with a couple other designers and we bounce ideas off each other like mad, handing off ideas to whomever's got the skill to execute it.

I packrat ideas, details. If someone wants to directly copy me, they can have a grand time investing in the skills and equipment and time.

It's not like there's actually a shortage of ideas, last time I looked.

Boy this was rambly...

[acid-poptart.livejournal.com]

And so many things have been done long before any of us, aren't we all taking inspiration from previous creations from our wide and encompassing past? I think it's all a matter of interpretation here, and I for one, love seeing how people express themselves artistically through the medium of fabric, trim and thread. Having worked in covering fashion for GBM and other magazines, I've become use to seeing so many designers that when I spot a knock off one, their lack of craftmanship seems to show through. This subculture has so many great creators (and I'm always looking for new ones to cover) that I've always felt there was plenty of room for the great number of designers while still maintianing individuality and integrity.

Something should be said for reputation as well, for that carries us far. It will separate the ones just trying to make a quick buck and those that put passion into what they do.

:)

[sainte-4.livejournal.com]

a) you have lovely designs. i wish i was thinner to fit into them. LOL

b) i miss laura from the pale court. she made me my princess dress, and it's lovely.

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

Thank you Laura, and your post about "being in this together" was beautiful. I am really hoping all the best for your future.

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

You're not arrogant, you're just aware that you've created something different, and that usually means it's just a matter of time. I believe your creations will always have that Kim-energy in them though, and people will know the difference :)

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

I think the reason copy-cats don't have the same kind of longevity is either a.) people call them out on it, or b.) they just don't have the passion from within to keep dedicating themselves and their time to something that isn't coming from their heart.

And you're completely correct about creative people being able to find inspiration from similar sources, but interpreting it in a way that is unique to them. It's completely different from copying another person's finished piece. You could say "Edward Gorey" or "Theda Bara" or whatever and ask people to create something accordingly. The results will be very different once they've gone through each person's individual filters.

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

I love the concept of your handing them the materials and having them give it a go ~ nothing like walking in another person's shoes for a while! People often just think of the sole cost of materials when deciding what something's worth, without realizing how much else goes into it all.

Re: :)

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

My creations aren't just for one size :) I've gone up to 60" chests for custom items before...

I miss Laura as well. I'm hoping to have all of her unfinished projects complete sometime next Spring.

[veil.livejournal.com]

I personally think it's silly to feel threatened or competative with other designers - when you have things in common with someone you should be friends :)

And, especially being an online seller - with a potentially worldwide customer-base, there are plenty of customers to go around, and no need to try to fight over them!

[devilandmouse.livejournal.com]

I agree with you very much on this subject. I like to see all of us creators, designers, artists, painters, etc. as colleagues rather than competitors. And even if some of us are doing similar projects, we each have different ways of going about it. The end result is always individually unique to that person who created it. The great thing about this is that there is always inspiration around to keep those creative juices flowing!

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your beautiful thoughts... I very much share your point of view.

...taking inspiration from previous creations from our wide and encompassing past

That's something I've always loved about the goth scene and the variety of art it produces. The range of inspiration we draw from is immense in scope ~ from different places and times, brought together forming an extraordinarily decadent montage.

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

I'm so happy you feel this way too, because I would have hated to miss out on having a friendship with you. :)

no need to try to fight over them!
You've got it! Plus, it shows strength in your own self-confidence when you are comfortable enough in your skin to not feel like you would somehow gain from another person's loss. We are in the same boat afterall.

[ethereal-garden.livejournal.com]

You know, I am really glad I read this one. It's actually put my mind at ease. I haven't really been competitive in the sense of competition. I've never been one for pushing my work on others either, and I tend to point out other artists & sites to those looking for something I don't create. I am all for artists creating & having to start somewhere, & learning along the way. (and even teaching when I can & helping others find the means to express their art). Learning a Technique... then moving on to make it their own. Constant Progression. I say all this, but as you may have read in my previous post, I had been having a hard time with someone who is outright copying so many of my pieces. Also copying some of my texts from my site in her descriptions. It's hard to think about (as I really don't want to give her or the situation much energy), cause when I do it makes me ill. Although I know that she is not me, I will constantly create & grow etc. But it's still been hard. And even though I've had your thoughts on this initial posting, I've also been swayed toward negativity about it.
Basically, reading your post really hit home. I thank you for writing it. It has made me more calm about the whole scenario. So thank you Kambriel... you make me calm. :)