Following the example set by Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick in the sixties, you are not a proper designer unless you have your very own muse.
The role of the muse originated from a sisterhood of Greek goddesses who inspired the creative process.
These days muses come in the form of Agyness Dean, to Henry Holland or Sienna Miller, to Matthew Williamson. Ironically Sienna played original muse Edie Sedgewick in the film Factory Girl.
Muses are not necessarily the most beautiful girls around but they are often the most stylish, for example Marc Jacobs muse Sofia Coppola. Sofia is by no means ugly but she does not have the stand out looks of a model. She does however possess the ability to look stylish at all times.
One muse, Isabella Blow, turned the tables of this trend, discovering the talent instead of them finding her. The late stylist served as a muse to both hat designer Philip Treacy and Alexander McQueen. Proving her support to him she bought McQueen's entire degree collection for £5,000 and even took Treacy into her home after discovering him.
Designers will not always stick with a muse forever, just look at Matthew Williamson. His original inspiration was Kate Moss, but she was soon ditched in favour of rock royalty Jade Jagger. He then swapped her for stylish Bay Garnett before switching to singer Kelis. Williamson seemed to be settled on Sienna Miller as his muse but he has apparently dumped her for model Astrid Munoz.
It works both ways though and muses can also switch allegiances. Lady Amanda Harlech famously ended her 12 years of inspiring John Galliano in favour of Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel.
Apparently when Galliano left Givenchy for Dior the label could not match the perks offered by Chanel. Eleven years on those perks include a permanent suite at the Paris Ritz which Lady Harlech uses to store her couture clothes.
As well as inspiring designers muses can also be used to make the clothes look good. Late designed Halston had an entourage an Halstonettes, famously leggy women such as Elsa Peretti and Liza Minelli who would accompany him to legendary club Studio 54.
Some designers like to keep it in the family when it comes to muses, such as Gianni Versace and his sister Donatella or Christopher Kane and his sister Tammy. Others uses writers or editors, no doubt wanting a career boost.
Stephen Jones looks to fashion writer Anna Piaggi for inspiration but it is Tom Ford who no doubt has the muse to end all muses. The former Gucci creative director muse is none other that French vogue editor Carine Roitfeld.
Being paid in designer clothes and hotel suites for little more than inspiring someone? Good work if you can get it!
FemaleFirst - Jessica Watson