Thanks to the Queer Eye reboot, my Grinch-heart has grown three sizes this season. Everyone I know, myself included, seems to be in love with these sweet, quick-witted, ultra-stylish men. So much so, in fact, that I have been on the hunt for ways I can sneak even more of their good-natured, Oprah-level ah-ha moments into my life outside of Netflix couch time.
Here’s a crash course in how I’ve reframed some of my Queer Eye takeaways into a learning device for creatives.
When the Fab 5 knocks on your door, they take their time assessing your situation. They go through the closet and the fridge, they ransack your medicine cabinet, reckon with that wallpaper choice and find the lice in your comb. (mmmm!) They sift through it all. And they do this in order to pinpoint their subject’s best qualities and biggest pitfalls. The knowledge they gather during this phase helps to direct the focus for the transformation to come—because this gaggle of glamorizers doesn’t change people, they bring out the best in what’s already there.
Yes to this transformation from season 1, “Saving Sasquatch”
Just like the Fab 5, you should encourage your brand or the brands you work on to be their best selves. Perhaps this means it’s time to think about that logo overhaul and a solid set of graphic standards—or a tightened up line-up of core values. At BatesMeron, we’re here to make your brand look the best it can. We start by evaluating what’s there, why it exists and uncover some core truths. Those are the things that will carry your brand through to it’s next evolution.
Karamo, Tan, Bobby, Antoni and Jonathan spend a lot of time boosting the confidence of the heroes they’re helping. Let’s face it, sometimes it’s easy to get into funks where you just don’t feel good enough.
It doesn’t matter if you’re at the tippy-top of the career ladder or if you’re just starting out—if you’re ultra-successful or barely scraping by—doubts, fears and insecurities can sneak in to the corner office and the cubicle just the same. (There’s this whole thing called the imposter syndrome, maybe you’ve heard of it? Yeah, it sucks.)
There are lots of things you can do to combat those crappy feelings, but one approach I like opens the door to loads of positivity in your day: Let. The. Compliments. Flow. Much like Jonathan’s hair, unleash some (genuine) “oooh’s and ahhh’s” when you see people around you doing cool things.
“Honestly, I don’t care about fashion. Style is dressing the way that [makes] you feel confident, and what’s appropriate for you, your age, your body type.”
—Tan France
Great advice, Tan. Thank you for that setup to share this helpful little design parallel: Design trends (fashion) serve a purpose and have their place, but not every brand needs an avant-garde treatment. Ultimately, as long as you’re adhering to the principles of design—unity, balance, proportion, etc.— and embracing to a style that is appropriate for the brand, you should be headed in the right direction.
Queer Eye brings together talented creatives to tackle interiors, wardrobe, grooming, emotional well-being and nutrition. It’s a winning combo and if any one of these angles were cut, I wouldn’t happy cry nearly as much.
Just like our very own Todd said a couple weeks ago, collaboration works. It works for the Fab 5 and it works for BatesMeron. Without a tight-knit crew of print ogling, LaCroix guzzling, Chicago-loving designers, writers, developers and account women, BatesMeron couldn’t build brilliant brands.
Cheers!
Do you have a Fab 5 spirit animal? Have you taken any of their make-over tips and applied them to what you do (personally or professionally)? Have any of my suggestions for giving your brand the Fab 5 treatment inspired you? We want to hear from you. (And if you want BatesMeron to give your brand or business our best approximation of a Fab 5 makeover, drop us a line.