In the world of fashion, there’s a common misconception that creativity is a gift you’re either born with or without. That it’s the spark of genius that strikes only a chosen few. But the truth is far more empowering—and far more essential for every designer and tailor in today’s rapidly changing world.
Creativity: Not a Luxury, But a Necessity
For designers and tailors, creativity has always been part of the job description. But its importance has never been greater than it is today. Creative thinking is consistently ranked among the top skills necessary for success in the modern workplace, and this trend shows no signs of slowing . We live in a time of rampant change—technological disruption, shifting consumer values, and an urgent need for sustainable practices. As Gerard Puccio, chair of the Creativity and Change Leadership Department at Buffalo State, explains, “Creative thinking and using your imagination helps you to respond to and embrace change… to stay on the cutting edge, and be proactive” .
In an age where artificial intelligence can generate designs in seconds, human creativity becomes even more critical. Puccio emphasises that “AI doesn’t replace human creativity, but those who are more skillful at creative thinking… are going to be in a stronger position to leverage AI as an assistant” . The challenge isn’t competing with machines—it’s becoming a master of your own creative thinking so you can direct technology toward your unique vision.
The Good News: Creativity Can Be Learned
The most liberating truth about creativity is that it’s not a mystical talent—it’s an acquired behaviour. As research shows, “everyone has the potential to think creatively” . Creativity isn’t only about artistic expression; it’s about thinking in new and original ways, solving problems, and achieving results in difficult situations .
Wharton professor Yoram Wind puts it simply: “Everyone, regardless of age or profession, can enhance their creativity” . Creativity is a skill that can be systematically strengthened through practice and the right approaches . It can be nurtured through teaching methods that encourage exploration and discovery rather than relying on memorisation .
A Tailor’s and Designer’s Unique Advantage
This is where designers and tailors have a remarkable opportunity. Unlike many professions where creativity might feel abstract or detached from daily work, the fashion and tailoring trades are fundamentally creative acts. Every garment is a problem to be solved, an expression to be crafted, and a conversation between maker, material, and wearer.
As the BA (Hons) Bespoke Tailoring course at London College of Fashion describes, tailoring is “a design process that challenges… students to become disruptive traditionalists who respect craftmanship by re-defining its future” . The course emphasises that working directly with clients offers “the chance to co-create wholly bespoke pieces, where unique identities are reflected through material, design and process” .
Even when working with constraints, creativity flourishes. Rémy Lazzerini, an upcycling fashion designer, faced the challenge of working with small pieces of second-hand denim—too small for traditional pattern pieces. His solution? Developing a “design to upcycled fabrics” concept that creates “patchwork-inspired patterns that allow small fabric scraps to be artfully combined, resulting in a distinctive aesthetic” . This is creativity in action: seeing constraints as opportunities rather than obstacles.
The Huntsman x London College of Fashion collaboration further illustrates this point. Students were tasked with taking unwanted Huntsman garments and “deconstructing them, before reimagining them into entirely new designs” . Huntsman Head Cutter Campbell Carey noted being “bowled over by the quality of craftsmanship and of creative thinking that the students demonstrated,” adding that “it’s rare today that we see truly unique and novel ideas in the world of tailoring, but as the students have demonstrated, there is always more to learn and new ways of interpreting style” .
Practical Steps to Sharpen Your Creative Edge
So how can you, as a designer or tailor, actively cultivate your creativity? Here are some practical strategies:
■ 1. Embrace Constraints as Creative Fuel
When you’re working with limited materials, a challenging client brief, or strict sustainability goals, don’t see these as barriers—see them as creative challenges. The Huntsman students were given specific client profiles and limited materials, forcing them to think innovatively within boundaries . Try setting intentional constraints for a personal project—perhaps you only use one metre of fabric or limit yourself to a single colour palette.
■ 2. Cross-Pollinate Your Skills
Creativity thrives when different disciplines meet. Look beyond fashion for inspiration—architecture, industrial design, or even improvisational theatre. Research shows that improvisation training can improve performance on creative thinking tasks . Consider taking a workshop in a completely unrelated skill to stretch your mental muscles.
■ 3. Let Your Mind Wander
Counterintuitively, one of the best ways to boost creativity is to step away from focused work. Studies show that allowing your mind to wander is “an essential mental state that helps us develop our identity, process social interactions, and it even influences our internal moral compass” . Schedule time for walks, museum visits, or other activities where your mind is free to make unexpected connections.
■4. Learn New Techniques Consistently
Creativity grows through skill acquisition. The University of Edinburgh’s Fashion Design course emphasises teaching students “new methods of design through innovation led exploration” including knitwear, sustainable material development, accessories, and tailoring . Commit to learning one new technique each month, whether through online tutorials, workshops, or from colleagues. The DIY YouTube tutorials that designers swear by cover everything from perfect seams to the iconic Dior Bar jacket shape .
■ 5. Create Daily and Without Judgment
Creativity is a muscle that needs exercise. As the research on creative play shows, creative activities “teach our brains how to meaningfully process unexpected events… and successfully pivot in new directions” . Set aside time each day for a small creative act—sketching a design, experimenting with fabric manipulation, or even keeping a creative journal. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s practice. Remember, “to create means to do” .
■ 6. Seek Feedback and Collaboration
Innovation rarely happens in isolation. The ORB Couture workshop brought together emerging designers, artisans, and manufacturers, with evenings dedicated to critique circles where “peers and mentors offered feedback on everything” . Create or join a community where you can share work-in-progress and receive honest, constructive feedback.
Conclusion
In the words of Gerard Puccio, “For the sake of our own wellbeing, we can’t give up our own creativity” . For designers and tailors, creativity isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the essential skill that sets you apart, allows you to adapt to change, and enables you to bring your unique vision to life. And the best part? It’s a skill you can develop, practice, and deepen every single day.
Your next creative breakthrough isn’t waiting for inspiration to strike—it’s waiting for you to start practicing.
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References
Center for Applied Imagination, Buffalo State University. (2026). ‘We can’t give up our own creativity’: Gerard Puccio on the importance of creativity in today’s world.
2. Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. (2025). Wharton Online Launches Creativity in Business and Other Disciplines.
3. London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London. (2026). BA (Hons) Bespoke Tailoring course overview.
4. THISDAYLIVE. (2025). Stitching Futures: Inside ORB Couture’s Transformative Fashion Workshop for Emerging Creatives.
5. Coursera Blog. (2025). New course from Wharton Online helps professionals master creativity in the age of AI.
6. University of Edinburgh. (2025). Fashion Design 3A: Fashion Innovation for Industry.
7. 1 Granary. (2025). The DIY YouTube tutorials that designers swear by.
8. Paonessa, M. (2025). How Creativity Unlocks Innovation, Collaboration, and Mental Agility. *Public Humanities*, 1, e72.
9. Huntsman Savile Row. (2025). Huntsman x London College of Fashion Winners.
10. OECD. (2025). Creative Minds in Action: Introduction.
11. European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment. (2025). Remy Lazzerini - upcycling fashion designer.