Jessie Loves: Getting Inspired

My favorite ways to get creative

Working in fashion, I’ve learned many tricks designers use to stay inspired. Sometimes the simplest things can help bring a new idea or project to life. Here I share some things that have helped me. 

1. Moodboards

I cannot stress how critical it is to make a moodboard for any important project. And no, you do not need to be a designer to make moodboards. Everyone should. They function to create a strong vision and cohesive set of ideas. When I work on a project I come back again and again to my moodboard. It keeps me on a path of focus and beauty. 

In progress.

There are a million ways to make a moodboard. Every time I see a photo of one I like on Instagram I save it in a folder. It’s very inspiring to see how other people do it. My method is very particular: I like to print out images, trim them, organize them by color and then pin them directly to a board. I get on my hands and knees — it’s a very physical process. 

2. Instagram Saved Folders

I use these religiously. I’m always surprised by how many people don’t know about this feature (I have taught so many friends on the fly at dinner parties) but it’s super easy and so worthwhile. You can create any category of images you want. This has been crucial for me in my interior design projects particularly. I can quickly and easily find a resource. (I never got into Pinterest… It’s clunky and for me, it’s become too much about selling generic stuff). 

A few of my most used saved boards on Insta: interior design items, crafts, quotes (to cheer me up!), outfit inspo, tennis, table settings, colors… the list goes on and on. 

3. Color Combinations

Color combos are important for designing my collections, for interior spaces, for putting together an outfit. When I see a cluster of colors I love — a painting from my trip to Venice, a pretty tulip with a delicate stripe, even the pile of erasers on my desk — I tuck it away safely to refer to later. 

From my trip to Venice. I love the mix of olive green, bright yellow and powder pink.

4. Libraries

Especially in New York City, there are so many libraries with gorgeous source images. If you work in fashion you can apply to visit some extra special libraries as well (the FIT library is amazing.) 

From the New York Public Library Picture Collection

There is an incredible library dedicated to craft and the color blue (yes the color blue!) in Gowanus called TATTER Blue Library. I also follow @nyplpicturecollection — “1.5 million images in 12,000 subject headings available with your library card.” You can make an appointment to go in person or you can just peruse their page. Used book stores are excellent resources too. 

From the Gladys Marcus Library at FIT

5. Crafting

Even more important than the craft itself, working with your hands quiets the mind. And when the mind is in that zone, free of judgment and worries and a million to-dos, it brings forth the best ideas. I like to work on a craft project to get my mind in a creative space. Some things I’ve found that work really well are cross stitch, needlepoint, knitting, sewing, flower arranging or even just painting an old piece of furniture. 

Crocheted scrunchies for Christmas gifts last year, and hand-painted candles from a craft night with friends.

6. Create Academy

I swear this is not sponsored by Create Academy. I find it to be such a valuable resource. I love to learn, try new things, challenge myself and get my mind working. You might think a new craft has nothing to do with a project you are working on, but I promise it usually will in the end. Some courses I’ve loved lately are the interiors course from Rita Konig and Tess Newall’s decorative painting course. We have a very special project with Tess coming this holiday season — stay tuned!

7. Materials & Tools

It’s nice to have lovely things around your space. Working with high quality materials and tools really does lead to better end results. I have special ribbon behind my desk from Studio Carta (held on this ribbon organizer). Beautiful stickers from Choosing Keeping for my packages. Real, natural raw materials for crafting (Grey Line Linen is a beautiful shop in the garment district). A special notebook, a nice pair of scissors, the teeny tiny pins they sell at Purl, a good stapler, a favorite pen. These things might seem trivial but they matter a lot when it comes to getting creative juices flowing. I would love to know any of the materials and tools you use to stay inspired. Mine are all linked here.

Leone pins and my favorite stapler.

8. Travel 

The ultimate inspiration resource for me. I take photos of every little thing I notice, from doorways to curtains to a decorative pattern on a wall. I plan appointments with local artisans and showrooms. In Venice, I visited a velvet manufacturer in business for hundreds of years and got to watch the weaving process. It was probably the most special moment of my trip. I stow these memories away to inspire me in the future. 

Crocheted filet lace shades in Lisbon.

But It doesn’t have to be expensive or faraway travel. I’ve taken trips within New York City — a day at the Met, a stroll through the galleries in Chelsea, a swatch gathering trip to B&J Fabrics. 

9. People

I love meeting artisans or designers and seeing their processes — like the incredible Casa Viviana in Oaxaca, famous for flower candles, or Paolo Olbi, a book binder in Venice. My friends also are enormous sources of inspiration for me — in their design choices, in the way they put things together, in very unique ways they live their lives. I’m lucky to be surrounded by inspiring people every day.

…And one thing I hate*:

It bums me out that we all see the same images repurposed over and over again. This is why I love getting photos from libraries or from used books. It’s so inspiring to look at images that haven’t been posted on Instagram thousands of times!

*my husband suggested that I always include one thing I don’t like at the end. Ha!