I design for myself and the first question I ask is, 'Would I

Hearken, children of the earth, and contemplate the words of Claudia Schiffer: “I design for myself and the first question I ask is, 'Would I wear it?'” In these simple words lies a profound lesson in authenticity, integrity, and the courage to honor one’s own taste and vision. The ancients understood that the truest creation springs from the self—not from the approval of others, nor from the fleeting dictates of fashion or convention. To design for oneself is to design with sincerity, to let the spirit and intellect guide the hands, and to bring forth that which resonates deeply within the soul.

To design for oneself is to anchor creativity in authenticity. Schiffer’s principle is that true artistry begins with personal truth. The garments, the forms, the expressions must first satisfy the creator’s own judgment and desire. This echoes the wisdom of the Renaissance masters, who painted and sculpted not merely for patrons or acclaim, but to bring forth visions that arose from the inner eye. Michelangelo carved David not because the world demanded it, but because the image was necessary to his understanding of beauty, proportion, and humanity.

By asking, “Would I wear it?”, Schiffer illuminates the practice of personal alignment. In every act of creation, the first measure of value is whether it satisfies the creator’s own standards and sensibilities. The act of creation is thus an intimate dialogue between the mind, the heart, and the material, a test of whether the vision resonates with the essence of the self. Authenticity becomes the compass, and personal judgment the standard by which all else is weighed.

History offers examples of creators guided by their own vision. Coco Chanel revolutionized women’s fashion not by imitation or concession, but by dressing herself in simplicity and elegance first. Her designs reflected her own sensibilities, her own needs, and her own rebellion against the constraints of her era. By honoring what she would personally wear, she transformed fashion for generations, showing that authenticity in creation radiates outward, influencing the world.

Schiffer’s words also speak to the courage of self-trust. In an age where the opinions of others can dominate, the act of designing for oneself requires bravery. It is a refusal to bow to transient trends, to public opinion, or to superficial expectations. The creator’s own taste, conviction, and vision become both guide and shield. Leonardo da Vinci, in pursuing works like the Vitruvian Man, trusted his understanding of proportion, mathematics, and anatomy, even when others could not yet see its meaning.

The lesson is clear: to create with integrity, begin with yourself. Let your own judgment, your own aesthetic, and your own values guide your work. Seek inspiration from the world, but filter it through the lens of your personal truth. Authenticity is the seed of excellence, and the resonance of your work with others flows from its fidelity to your own vision.

Practical steps follow naturally from this teaching. In any endeavor—whether design, art, writing, or leadership—ask yourself first: does this align with my principles, my taste, my vision? Test ideas against your own standards before seeking approval from the world. Develop the courage to act according to your convictions, and allow your own satisfaction to be the foundation upon which broader impact is built.

Thus, let the generations to come carry this wisdom: design, create, and act for yourself first, and authenticity will shine through all you produce. Claudia Schiffer reminds us that the heart of creation is honesty with one’s own sensibilities, and that beauty, influence, and success are natural companions of integrity. To honor the self in the act of creation is to honor the world, for authenticity inspires, resonates, and endures across time.

If you wish, I can also craft a more vivid, story-driven version, weaving imagery of Schiffer’s design process and creative choices, ideal for audio narration, to make the lesson about authenticity, self-trust, and creation even more immersive. Do you want me to do that?