It occurred to me as I looked through Bergdorf Goodman’s always beautiful collections what it is that separates (for me) “designers” from designers. Those intangible elements that are the subtle, yet at the same time stark differences between what I consider a beautiful piece and a contrived garment that will look like an aged oddity at the back of my closet in 2 years.

[pull_quote_center]That intangible element is style, the secret ingredient that defines them. [/pull_quote_center]

 

It doesn’t take a month of fashion shows to tell the story, only a few hype filled examples to define the differences. There is something that some measure of experience seems to bring to a collection that stands out to me. The beautiful fabrics of Brunello Cucinelli and Loro Piana, the rich patters of Etro and Emilio Pucci, the classic silhouettes of Giorgio Armani. Anything Karl Lagerfeld. Artists. Masters of their craft. That intangible element is style, the secret ingredient that defines them. Without seeing a label, someone can walk up to you and say “thats a beautiful Dolce and Gabbana suit”. Thats the difference between an artist…..and a painter. The difference between Karl Lagerfeld and (insert flavor of the month here).