Fashion Design

The Role of Fashion Designers

- Create and produce designs for a particular target markt

- They use design principles, fabrics and construction techniques

- Some designers gain world recognition

- Others work for brand names or department store labels (private label)

Licensing

• Some designers create accessories, home décor items and fragrances

• Designers such as Tommy Hilfiger license the use of their name and trademark to companies to produce items for them.

• In return the designer receives “royalties” or a percent from each purchase

Collections

• At least twice a year, a designer turns out a collection – a group of clothes designed and produced for a specific season, often inspired by a specific theme

• Collections may also be subdivided by price-range (i.e. Armani Collection or Couture vs A/X Armani Exchange

• Designers create hundreds of designs before they are narrowed down for a collection

Apparel Industry Designers & Stylists

• Different than high-end designers, apparel industry designers work for a garment manufacturer but never gain recognition

• They may create “knock-offs” of high end designs and work with stylists to modify designs using less expensive fabric, details and embellishments, to make them more affordable

The Design Process

• 1. Finding inspiration (i.e. sports, music, current events, celebrity influence, art etc.)

• 2. Sketching Designs on croquis• 3. Refining sketches or rendering using CAD

software• 4. Draping – working with fabric on a dress

form (mannequin) • 5. Pattern Drafting

The Design Process

• 1. Finding inspiration (i.e. sports, music, current events, celebrity influence, art etc.)

• 2. Sketching Designs on croquis• 3. Refining sketches or rendering using CAD

software• 4. Draping – working with fabric on a dress form

(mannequin) 5. Selecting Fabric and Trim (fabric shows, working with textile mills, knitters etc.)

The Design Process Cont’d

6. Pattern Drafting – designing the pattern7.Creating samples in muslin (cheap coarse cotton) and trying samples on a model8. Revision to pattern

The Design Process Cont’d

6. Pattern Drafting – designing the pattern7.Creating samples in muslin (cheap coarse cotton) and trying samples on a model8. Revision to pattern

The Design Process Cont’d

6. Pattern Drafting – designing the pattern7.Creating samples in muslin (cheap coarse cotton) and trying samples on a model8. Revision to pattern

The Design Process Cont’d

6. Pattern Drafting – designing the pattern7.Creating samples in muslin (cheap coarse cotton) and trying samples on a model8. Revision to pattern

The Design Process Cont’d

6. Pattern Drafting – designing the pattern7.Creating samples in muslin (cheap coarse cotton) and trying samples on a model8. Revision to pattern

Haute (High) Couture (Dressmaking)

• Style today does not = high prices• The highest level of exclusive and expensive

designs are called haute couture• Many still created in designer’s ateliers• Began in Paris – dressmaker Rose Bertin

started sending dolls called fashion babies dressed in copies of Queen Marie Antoinette’s clothing to London and around the world

Charles Worth

• Established the House of Worth in London• House of Worth existed for almost 100 years• May have been the 1st couturier to put his own

name on labels• Many wealthy and prominent clients• 1st designer to create his own fragrance• 1st to present designs on live models (fashion

show)

Rise of American Fashion

• During WWII many French fashion houses struggled or had to close

• America’s rising designers gained esteem• Today the U.S. Japan, Italy, England have

influential fashion industries and “Fashion Weeks” to show ready-to-wear and couture lines (fall/winter & spring/summer)

Rise of American Fashion

• During WWII many French fashion houses struggled or had to close

• America’s rising designers gained esteem• Today the U.S. Japan, Italy, England have

influential fashion industries and “Fashion Weeks” to show ready-to-wear and couture lines (fall/winter & spring/summer)

• Buyers place orders for the collections

Famous Designers

Giorgio Armanib. 1936Known for unconstructed jacketsfine menswear, linen, women’s suits with menswear detailing and more affordable and stylish A/X

Cristobal Balenciaga(1895-1972)Born and raised in SpainTrained many other designers including orreges, Ungaro, and GivenchyKnown for narrow rolled collars, evening gowns with a slight train, cocoon coats

Oscar de la RentaBorn in Dominican Republic- Known for evening gowns- Very luxurious fabrics- Elegant feminine daywear- Designs for many celebrities

and royalty

Gabrielle ‘Coco” Chanel(1883-1971)- Designed the classic

“little black dress”- Slacks (pants) for

women- Boxy, collarless jackets

and suits trimmed with braid

- House of Chanel today run by Karl Lagerfeld

- Famous fragrances Chanel No. 5, No. 17

Jean-Paul Gaultier(b 1952) Began as an assistant to Pierre Cardin- Known for unusual,

controversial and expensive ready-to-wear clothing

- Inspired by street fashion and music (designed costumes for Madonna)

Gianni Versace(1946-1997) Sophisticated and elegant designs for men and women- Shot in 1997- Also designed

costumes for film, ballet and opera

- Versace now run by his sister Donatella

Calvin Klein(b 1942) - Famous for jeans- Simple casualwear- Architectural lines - Natural fabrics- Earthtones and

neutrals- Known for

controversial advertising campaigns

London College of Fashion

Future OutlookFashion design will always be a great source of income. New fashions are always in demand and always will be. Celebrities are always looking for new designs, to make them stand out from the crowd. New fashion ideas will always be appreciated.

Working HoursDepending on personal preference, fashion designers can work for a company, coming up with new ideas along side other designers, with a guaranteed wage. Or, you can go it alone and become a self-employed designer. You’re not guaranteed a wage, and it’s a lot of hard work, but if you create a good enough design, you’re in for a lot of profit.

Risk of InjurySupposing you know how to work a sewing machine, and take all the safety precautions when using the necessary tools, the risk of injury in the fashion industry is fairly low. However, it is a fast paced job and if you’re not careful, you could easily loose focus and cause some damage to yourself.

Related OccupationsAnother occupation that I would consider from the fashion industry is a fashion reporter. Fashion reporters are responsible for the write up of the latest designs and ideas, witnessed first hand from the runway. This interests me a lot because fashion and writing are the two things I love most of all.

Resources/Citations • Official website for the London

College of Fashion: http://www.fashion.arts.ac.uk/

• Bridges website: https://accesscdn.bridges.ca/auth/login.do?locale=en_CA

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