In last week’s blog, we explored the inspiration and ideation process for fashion designers when designing a new piece. This week, we’ll continue the exploration of the fashion design process by considering how fashion designers choose fabrics, colors, and other details to eventually create their final product.
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Select Fabrics and Colors
One of the most important steps that a designer can take during the process of developing a new collection is to select the right type of fabric. This step can help them express their ideas and create a more accurate and effective design. Aside from choosing the right material, they also have to research the construction and weight of their fabrics to understand how they can be used to create their creations.
Additionally, when it comes to choosing a color palette, designers need to consider the mood that their clothes should portray. Aside from choosing the right colors, they also have to consider the overall story that their creations should tell.
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Determine a Silhouette
Different methods are used to define a garment’s shape and fit its human body. For instance, they can use a silhouette to create a certain look or style, but they have to consider the various factors that affect a person’s body type and the fabric that they use. Being conscious of a person’s body type and the composition of the pieces that they choose to use are also important steps in the design process.
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Create Samples and Prototypes
After they have finished sketching, the designer then sends their sketches to patternmakers, who then create the first clothing samples using various materials such as muslin. This process allows them to test the potential of their creations before they are sewn. A prototype is a three-dimensional representation of a garment that allows the designer to see their finished creation in a more accurate and complete manner. This process allows them to revise and improve their creations as needed.
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Final Assembly and Testing
The next step is to determine the techniques that they should use to construct their garment. This involves choosing the right materials and methods to use for their creation. For instance, if they are creating a collection for a street style, they should use a combination of stitching and buttons instead of a raw look.
Fashion models are often hired by designers to help them visualize and test their creations. These individuals can then give them feedback on the fit and feel of their clothes, which can help them determine the potential of their designs. Aside from being able to see the potential of their creations, models can also provide insight into the design’s functionality.