Inspired Abroad: Designing Through the Lens of Global Experience
Travel is one of the greatest sources of inspiration a designer can experience. It opens your eyes, sharpens your perspective, and breathes life into your creative process.
Traveling and immersing myself in different cultures has been one of the most powerful influences on my growth as a fashion designer.
I’ve had the privilege of visiting every state in the U.S., as well as exploring cities and regions like Paris, London, Normandy, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, and Greece. Each destination offered its own unique blend of aesthetics, traditions, and craftsmanship.
Elements that simply can’t be fully grasped through books or online research alone. From vibrant textiles and intricate embroidery techniques to unexpected color palettes found in landscapes and architecture, these experiences have provided endless creative inspiration.
Meeting people from diverse backgrounds has also given me insight into their stories and values, allowing me to design with a greater sense of purpose and cultural appreciation.
These travels have challenged my thinking, expanded my perspective, and pushed me outside of my comfort zone, ultimately fueling innovation, creative confidence, and a design voice that reflects a truly global point of view.
Beyond the visual inspiration, travel has taught me the importance of storytelling in design. Every culture I’ve encountered has a unique narrative woven into their garments, passed down through generational techniques, and expressed through how people dress in everyday life.
These stories have encouraged me to think more intentionally about the meaning behind my own work. Rather than designing solely for aesthetics, I’ve learned to infuse my pieces with a sense of place, memory, or cultural reference, creating designs that feel personal, authentic, and emotionally resonant.
In today’s global fashion industry, staying relevant means understanding the world beyond your immediate surroundings.
Travel has given me firsthand insight into how fashion functions differently across climates, communities, and lifestyles. Observing how people layer clothing in cooler regions, the role of modesty in various cultures, or how practicality influences style in rural areas has broadened my perspective on design functionality and inclusivity.
It’s also highlighted the importance of sustainability and respect for local resources, inspiring me to consider ethical choices in materials and production.
All of these observations have informed my approach to creating versatile, inclusive designs that can resonate across cultures while meeting practical needs.
Travel has helped me to not only become a more inspired designer but also a more empathetic and thoughtful one, deeply aware of fashion’s power to bridge cultures and tell meaningful stories.
