I'm inspired by many things, from landscapes to textiles. Art and architecture always influence my design process.

In this quote, Francisco Costa, the acclaimed Brazilian fashion designer and former creative director of Calvin Klein, reveals the breadth of his inspirations in the design process. He acknowledges that his creativity is nourished by a diverse range of sources, from the natural beauty of landscapes to the intricate patterns of textiles. This openness to various forms of visual and tactile influence reflects Costa’s deeply observational approach to design, where everyday encounters and environments can spark artistic ideas.

Costa specifically highlights art and architecture as enduring influences in his work. These disciplines, known for their structured aesthetics and conceptual depth, provide him with models of form, proportion, texture, and space that he translates into fashion. The way a building is constructed or a painting is composed informs how he approaches silhouettes, fabric drape, or even the emotional tone of a collection. By grounding his fashion design in principles borrowed from these fields, Costa creates pieces that resonate with visual harmony and refined minimalism.

His reference to architecture is especially fitting, considering that it embodies both technical mastery and artistic vision, much like fashion. Architectural details—like clean lines, structural balance, and material contrasts—often find echoes in Costa’s minimalist yet sophisticated designs. This connection illustrates how fashion, though seemingly fleeting, can be deeply rooted in timeless design philosophies that have shaped other creative fields for centuries.

Ultimately, Costa’s quote reveals his belief in interdisciplinary creativity. By drawing from a wide array of aesthetic sources, he positions himself not just as a fashion designer, but as a visual thinker influenced by the broader world of artistic expression. His design ethos underscores the idea that innovation often arises from seeing connections across different mediums and reinterpreting them through one’s own lens.