1. Vision Boards Fashion Night Out

2. What is a vision board? Step 1: Reflect on your current style.  I’ve noticed this past year I have been super trendy and have purchased everything from houndstooth pieces to rompers to clunky statement rings. While this has been fun and all, unfortunately, keeping up with the trends on my budget usually means sacrificing quality. I’ve been buying tons of trinkets and things at cheap stores like Forever 21. This isn’t necessary a terrible thing, but I’ve realized (for me) it’s much better to spend my money on classic, high-quality pieces.

3. Step 2: Find an affirmation which summarizes your goal.  Okay, so now that you have the basic idea of what direction you want your style to go in, you next want to find a simple statement or affirmation to include as the central idea for your vision board. I like to do this because I can’t exactly lug my vision board around with me when I’m out shopping, but having a quote to remember will remind you of your vision board and whatever style goals you’ve made! My statement this year is a quote by French writer Stendhal who said:  “Only great minds can afford a simple style.”  This statement reminds me I am on the hunt for classic, well-made pieces that will last me a long time and are considered investment garments. It’s not always easy to stay away from flashy, trendy pieces, but it’s worth the extra effort.

4.  You need to have some specifics in mind when creating your vision board, so you have a clear idea of what to look for when you’re out shopping or purging your closet. For me, following Stendhal’s quote means keeping things simple with smart, practical clothes. (It does NOT mean I have to go boring and drab, though!) I also want to buy items that are figure-flattering and structured. Catch words like these should definitely be a part of your vision board! Step 3: Expand your ideas and find catch words.

5. Step 4: Find pictures and put together your vision board!  The friend I mentioned earlier did her collage on a poster board, but I decided to make it on the computer. (You can do this with Photoshop or Gimp, or you could also use Polyvore!) I found a bunch of pictures that adhered to my goal, put it all together (see next slide)! I had a great time making it, and I’m sure you’ll have fun making yours, too.  In addition to creating a group vision board for this club, you could also make your vision board on corkboard in your room. You can constantly change out pictures and quotes as your style evolves – the more personalized, the better!

6. How to begin your Vision Board?  Step One: Cut out pictures, fabric, shapes, and designs of things you love and inspire your fashion mind.  Step Two: Paste them onto a board or your choice. Work with your group to design a functional vision board that could be used in the future for designing and inspiring.  Step Three: Continue adding to your board. Each mini project we work on during club time should be added to your board in some way.