When I was either 7 or 8 years old, I did a sketch every day of my teacher and what she wore. At the end of the year, I gave her the sketchbook. For me, the sketching of dresses was about fantasy and dreams.

In this quote, Alber Elbaz reflects on his early passion for sketching, particularly how he began drawing his teacher and the clothes she wore at a young age. Elbaz recounts creating a sketch every day, capturing his teacher’s attire, and then giving her the sketchbook at the end of the year. For him, this act of sketching wasn't just about replicating clothing but was a way to express his fantasy and dreams, using his art as a means of imagining and exploring possibilities beyond the everyday.

Elbaz's mention of fantasy and dreams emphasizes that his early sketches were not just about recording reality but about using art to explore imaginative realms. The act of drawing his teacher’s dresses was a way for him to express a vision of beauty and creativity, giving him a sense of escape and artistic freedom. Through these drawings, Elbaz began to merge reality with the world of his own creative imagination, laying the foundation for his future in fashion design.

The origin of this quote lies in Elbaz’s childhood experiences and his development as a fashion designer. Known for his work at Lanvin and his influence on modern fashion, Elbaz's early affinity for sketching and creating garments speaks to his lifelong dedication to design. His reflections on those early sketches highlight how deeply his passion for fashion and creativity was rooted in his childhood, where his sketches served as a personal outlet for both artistic expression and exploration.

Ultimately, Elbaz’s quote illustrates how art and creativity can provide a gateway to exploring one’s inner world of dreams and fantasies. His early sketches not only shaped his future career but also underscored the power of art as a medium for personal expression. The act of sketching was not merely about drawing what he saw but about manifesting his inner thoughts and desires into something tangible, laying the groundwork for his innovative contributions to the world of fashion.