Jill Scherman told Bored Panda: "I developed a deep interest in nature and science during childhood, and my interest in fashion came later in my teens. Around that time, I realized I had a strange talent for remembering textures, forms, and patterns. In 2009, while I was writing a trend blog, I started to publish the connections I was making while watching runway shows and my readers loved it."
"I hope that people will take a moment to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Fashion continually takes inspiration, raw materials, and energy resources from nature. If we are to truly appreciate fashion, we should also care about where it comes from. If I am successful, fashion lovers will come to appreciate a world they care deeply about. And nature lovers will learn to appreciate the beauty and complexity of fashion."
Jill told us more about what inspired her to create this Instagram account: "I wrote a blog called Trend de la Creme for several years where I did weekly nature comparisons. But after a long illness, I gave it up. Designer Mary Katranzou re-released her iconic perfume bottle dresses, which reminded me of grasshoppers. Seeing those really stirred the creative juices again. And being in lockdown made me want to be close to nature."
Jill said that most of the time, she will watch runway shows and see something that reminds her of nature. Then she will go searching for similar images on the internet. Jill mentioned that the whole process usually takes a day or two.
Jill answered whether she thought fashion designers take inspiration from nature directly or on accident: "Some of my comparisons are probably just beautiful coincidences, but it’s fun to think that nature may have played a role. So my write-ups attempt to explain the connection through the lens of the natural influence. I thought it might make the posts more interesting than just a photo."
Jill shared what she hopes her Instagram account brings: "My hope is that people will take a moment to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Fashion continually takes inspiration, raw materials, and energy resources from nature. If we are to truly appreciate fashion, we should also care about where it comes from and work towards a more sustainable system."
Jill says she really enjoys fashion: "There is so much inspiration in the natural world that most people simply aren’t aware of. And fashion is one of those places you often see biology and art merge in perfect harmony.
My favorite part of fashion is intricate detail. I’ve always loved pattern, form, and texture. My least favorite part of fashion is 'fast fashion.' It produces 100 billion garments a year, and three out of five of these items end up in a landfill. It’s simply not sustainable."
Jill told us more about her childhood and current life: "When I was 10 years old, my father came into the house, unplugged the television and threw it in the trash behind the house. He said we were becoming zombies staring at a screen and told us to go outside and explore and play. We had a complete collection of the Encyclopedia Britannica. So, in the evenings, I would pull one off the shelf and read it. It sort of replaced evening television for me. I didn’t actually have a TV again until I left home at 18. That’s probably why I know so much about the natural world! I live in Maine now, near the sea, with my husband and four dogs."
