Bianca Elgar

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Bianca Elgar ("BE") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

BE : I am mainly self taught in fashion design, but I have a lifelong passion for art and textiles.

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

BE : I like to be creative in solving problems, I wanted to design for what I saw as a gap in the market.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

BE : I was lucky that I was able to make that choice.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

BE : High quality versatile fashion and accessories. I would like to design more versatile fashion garments.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

BE : Have passion for good design, go on a mission to design the best, and understand the purpose of good design.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

BE : Creative "Out of the Box" thinking.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

BE : Designing something that is beautiful and useful.

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

BE : Good design should bring joy to many, for a long time.

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

BE : I would like to design a versatile wedding dress that can also be worn as an evening dress.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

BE : A versatile jewellery line, but I am working on it.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

BE : Creative "Out of the Dress-Up Box" thinking.

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

BE : Coco Chanel, Pablo Picasso and Matisse, amongst many others.

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

BE : One of my favourite design is my timeless Bialetti Expresso maker, which I've used for the past 35 years, I still use it and treasure it, and it makes delicious coffee.

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

BE : My greatest design? I am working on it, it's a new scarf shape that shows of the print in the best possible way and can be worn as part of an outfit.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

BE : Look around you, not just in front of you.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

BE : An artist.

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

BE : Applying art to items we can wear and use every day.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

BE : My mistakes.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

BE : Inexperience.

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

BE : Amongst other good designers.

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

BE : Versatile jewellery.

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

BE : To become a brand, selling my products worldwide.

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

BE : Integrity

DL: How does design help create a better society?

BE : From my point of view it is a designer's responsibility to think about the ecological and ethical impact of his/her designs.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

BE : Versatile jewellery.

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

BE : It's always the project I am working on at that moment, I then forget about all the other projects...

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

BE : More thought about the environment.

DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?

BE : Towards more ethical and ecological designs, I hope...

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

BE : Anytime from six months to several years, I have a store full of ideas.

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

BE : I do my research.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

BE : Beauty, Integrity and Versatility.

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

BE : A bit of both.

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

BE : The print designs on silk can only be printed with the help of modern digital technology.

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

BE : The Adobe Design Suite.

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

BE : Very important.

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

BE : Where did you get your inspiration from?

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

BE : I fall in love.

DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

BE : I believe the best equation in life is 1+1=3

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

BE : My grandparents lived through the second world war, through them I learned what (design) heirlooms are.

DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

BE : Is Fashion Wearing Out the World? By Lucy Siegle

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

BE : Experience and making lots of mistakes.

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

BE : Matisse, I also enjoy paper cutting.

DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

BE : I am grateful.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

BE : Red, home, seafood, autumn, paper and Apple.

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

BE : Most people are amazed when I tell them that I design with a pair scissors.

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

BE : I enjoy finding new ways of doing things, solving problems, I cannot do anything else.

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

BE : No, I was dyslexic, clumsy and very shy.

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

BE : I hope we have learned to design peace and happiness.

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

BE : I like to; invent, experiment, take risks, grow, break rules, make mistakes, learn and have fun that's why I design.