design42day

Inés Vilagut was born in Barcelona 24 years ago. As she attended a school focused on humanities, she never thought she would have the chance to study design or any other subject linked to her passionate interest in art and fashion.

In fact, she read law for three years, although she always nurtured her hope to change her life. The turning point came with a visit to Lydia Delgado’s atelier, which started her looking for Fashion Design schools in Barcelona. Her choice fell on IED because of its academic reputation and geographical location. While studying, she worked with a variety of businesses, including XXL Comunicación and Cortana Alta Costura. She firmly believes that we never stop learning and that we can learn a lot from our surroundings.

You initially read law before enrolling at IED in Barcelona. Although the decision to undertake your new adventure came quite naturally, what was the most difficult part of the decision process?

I never made artistic studies. I studied Humanities, Greek and Latin. That scared me the most, to think that no matter how bad I wanted to, I may never be “artistically” good enough. I did not even know how to draw. I have been told not to worry, that I could learn everything and improve if I only wanted it to so strongly. Little by little I found my own way to work and style, and it did not seem so hard anymore. Even if I have improved a lot, I have to admit that some things are innate, and it doesn’t matter how hard you fight and work, some are good in some things and some in others.

Your thesis collection, which won IED’s My Own Show 2012, is definitely a great achievement. Can you tell us more about it?

I am really excited for being able to win MOS 2012 with my thesis collection, because it has been the most personal project that I have done up to now. It is a long time with the idea, and the collection ends up becoming a part of you. And to see that, in the end, something that means so much to you bears fruit, it can not be more rewarding. You are so confident with what you have done, and you know it so deeply that seeing that it is so successful fills you with pride.

What do you plan on doing next?

I want to start working for someone else, to see, meet and learn. It’s time to get a move on and search. In September I would like to go abroad and study for another year, combining it with an internship or a job. And in the long run I do not rule out to end up making my own collection if things are doing well. But there is so much to do before.

What designers do you look up to, and what inspires you on a daily basis?

I usually like concrete things from different brands or names, above all Japanese designers’ lines. But, if I shall choose someone, it would be Haider Ackermann and Rick Owens.

Everything around us is inspiration, things within our reach, and suddenly the thing that clicks in your head becomes the source. In my case, everything I read inspires me. I like how lines and words can end up having a concrete and visual shape to me.

What do you consider your most valuable work experience and why?

I have barely done anything! But without any doubt, the most important work experience was the internship I did at the Majorcan brand Cortana Alta Costura. I started working there right after finishing my studies, and it was so useful to realize right away the reality of design. One thing is what you learn at school and something completely different is the real world, where there are intermediaries and other interests than designing. It is necessary to know what the real world is. At the same time, designing a capsule collection with Falber Moschillo allowed me to see how this world works abroad. When responsibility is not totally yours you can see clearly the pros and cons of everything.