The Value of Inspiration…
As with many of the concepts we explore at The Royal Artisan, inspiration holds a place of significance and value which this article seeks to unpack.
From a fundamental perspective, inspiration is “that which makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create.” That’s all well and good, however, I believe we can agree that as the curtain is pulled away, we are confronted with the sense that there’s more to the story.
Now, if you’re wondering how inspiration (and more specifically, the value) relates to menswear, sartorialism, and the overall essence of, let’s just say being a gentleman and man of the world, well, as we’ve said many times before (and certainly will again), how we express ourselves (think timepiece, shoes, neckwear, pocket squares, etc.) is extremely revealing of who we are, and in large part, who we wish to be.
Obviously, taking stock in what we have generally tends to be a prudent exercise, whether we are collectors of high-end watchmaking, rare antiques, or vintage clothing. I’d like to think that being inspired and moreover, finding inspiration, is truly one of life’s simple pleasures.
In my mind, that facet in and of itself has value, and how we quantify that, who knows. Honestly, it may not even matter. Can you place a value on time spent traveling the world, amazing moments with friends and family enjoying a delicious meal paired with the perfect bottle of wine, or even the periods of solitude admiring a piece of art or listening to a moving musical composition? While it’s quite easy to see how these fantastic experiences can shape our lives in a positive way, the degree to which they do so is an interesting question, but I would argue not the most poignant.
The process by which we find our inspiration, and to what degree, seems to be as unique and individual as our personal tastes and preferences. One of the things that gave birth to The Royal Artisan is the undeniable inspiration found in the passionate and tireless work of tailors and other menswear artisans. The excitement of the creative process, the essence of fabric and materials coming to life, and the journey of manifesting something which did not exist before and may never be produced again! If that fails to inspire and stir one’s soul, well…let’s just say you’re certainly missing out.
Being a creative, I would have to liken inspiration as something akin to air; without it, life would simply not be possible. What began as an experiment and exploration of gaining a deeper understanding of the value of inspiration, I must admit that, at this juncture, my conclusion is that it is indeed priceless; for the places and moments where we find inspiration are, in fact the same places and moments where we discover ourselves…