Log Ten- Task 4a and thinking more about my Professional Inquiry

So I know that what I'm doing is very different from what a lot of you on the course are doing but I am hoping some of you can relate to any of the questions I post and give me your input.
I am trying to focus more on the fashion aspect of this industry. Surprisingly a lot of models do not take an interest or let the fashion world have an effect on their jobs and daily lives even though their careers are based on wearing these items. They are the props of fashion. Since I deal with jewelry design and styling on top of the modeling I want to get a perspective on both sides, the designing and the modeling, and see if I can merge them into one collective group of questions.
I am very exciting since on Thursday I will be participating in a fashion show with the majority of models and designers being my friends and/or people have worked with numerous times. I've been given permission by my friend Andy Jones (designer) to interview both the models and designers in the shows with my questions. Andy Jones and Christopher J. Nevin are two of the three designers being showcased that night who I have both worked with before. I styled this shoot for Andy's dress (model is Kelleth Cuthbert)...

And this is from one of the many shows I walked in for Christopher J. Nevin...

For the designers here is a few examples of inquiry I am interested in:
- Before starting a particular project or a new line where do take your inspiration from?
- What effects your inspiration or work on a design? Do you research into a particular time period? Are you effected by nature? Architecture? World issues or politics?
- What is the work process that goes into making one of your designs?
- What is the market you are targeting?
- What is your ultimate goal in making your designs? Is it consumer based or art based?
- Must one have a complete understanding of the history of fashion to make it in this industry or can one get by on just the current names and events? How much knowledge is needed to be successful?
As for the models I am interested to know:
- Before attending a casting do you research on the designer/product/photographer/etc that you are attending the casting for?
- Do allow fashion to be an important part of the casting i.e. do you wear the designers work or do you stick to the form fitting black outfit but still focus on the fashion names in the items that you wear?
- Do you have a lot of general knowledge about the fashion industry? If so was this an interest before the modeling or did you research this in order to have a better understanding and help your chances of getting the job at the end of the day?
- Are you thinking of developing skills to help gain more jobs? i.e. Dance, acting skills, second language, etc.
- Are you interested in developing skills outside of the modeling but still in the fashion industry? For example, skills in photography, makeup artistry and even fashion design.
Then more similar questions I want to know from both groups are:
- Who or what inspires you to do what you do?
- How do you handle rejection?
- Do you analyse after rejection?
- Do you believe you have the knowledge and skills that you will need for the future in this industry or do you feel you still need more?
Most importantly I want to know:
- How do you make your business (the business of you and/or your designs) successful?
I also want to integrate the modeling and fashion design questions into two different questions. For the designers I would like to know, what do you look for in a model when you set up a casting for your designs? And for the models I would like to know, is fashion and fashion design knowledge a big part in your life and job?
As for the performing arts students in this course I would love to know if fashion effects your career decisions? Do you focus on what to wear for auditions or job interviews? Will you research into a particular dance clothing company for auditions or company class? Does a brand effect your performance on stage or in class at all? Is fashion design (shoes, leotards, etc) an important part for a dancer in general?
I would love to hear what you guys think! Has anyone delved into the costume department of the performing arts world at all?
I've also began to think about my award title. I figure it will have to obviously be involved with Fashion, I just don't know what aspect.
I am going to leave you now with a trailer from a movie a saw this weekend for the Canadian Film Festival. It is called "Material Success" and it is a documentary following Bruno Ierullo (who I modeled for a few weeks ago) and the process that goes into creating one of his fashion shows. If you get the chance it is a very interesting watch just to see the work and inspiration that goes into fashion design. You even see a little bit of the models side of this industry. Enjoy...
Material Success