Designers use Instagram for Inspiration

When it comes to design, a picture is worth a thousand words. This is why Instagram, a social sharing app for snapshots, has taken the fashion and interior design industries by storm.

Instagram emerged two years ago and has gained popularity with all age groups, particularly millennials. Since then it has gained 150 million monthly users and was sold to Facebook last year for a whopping $1 billion.

"In recent months designers of every stripe and aesthetic persuasion have turned to Instagram for a glimpse into the lives and tastes of their fans," reports The New York Times. The app has allowed designers to see what inspires their target audience, whether it be their friends laughing, an element of nature, or a gourmet meal. Well-known fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg often browses the site for inspiration. She recently posted images of vibrant wildflowers, resulting in many followers asking her to design a dress with a similar floral print.

"Designers are treating consumers like artists, people who for the first time are creating aspirational content that brands want to use," Maureen Mullen, head of research for marketing company L2 Think Tank told the Times. Joining Furstenberg is designer Nanette Lepore, who utilized Instagram-inspired prints in her latest show. Instagram's filter features stimulated Lepore's imagination. During New York Fashion week she debuted poppy prints with washed out colors, similar to the app's various filters.

Looking for inspiration in your home? Find a muse in everyday life, ranging from the color of fall foliage to a plate of pasta you had for dinner. Make sure to come into Bazaar's Milwaukee fabric store and bring your artistic visions to life with our abundant selection of custom curtains and drapes.