What is fashion design?
Fashion design is a form of art dedicated to the creation of clothing and other lifestyle accessories. Modern fashion design is divided into two basic categories: haute couture and ready-to-wear. The haute couture collection is dedicated to certain customers and is custom sized to fit these customers exactly. In order to qualify as a haute couture house, a designer has to be part of the Syndical Chamber for Haute Couture and show a new collection twice a year presenting a minimum of 35 different outfits each time.
Ready-to-wear collections are standard sized, not custom made, so they are more suitable for large production runs. They are also split into two categories: designer/createur and confection collections. Designer collections have a higher quality and finish as well as an unique design. They often represent a certain philosophy and are created to make a statement rather than for sale. Both ready-to-wear and haute-couture collections are presented on international catwalks.
Who Invented It?
The first fashion designer who was more than a simple seamster was Charles Frederick Worth, in the 19th century. Before he set up his fashion design house in Paris, clothing was made by anonymous dressmakers and fashion standards were derived from the styles worn by royalty. Worth was the first designer to actually dictate to his customers what to wear rather than following their demands.
His fashion house became so famous that people were able to attach a face and a name to designs when they knew they were from the House of Worth. This was the beginning of the tradition to have a designer of a house not only create clothing, but also represent the symbol of the brand.
What Does It Take To Be A Fashion Designer?
Fashion design is a form of art. To work as a designer, you should have an artistic and creative personality. You also have to be good at drawing and able to express your ideas in sketches. You don't necessarily have to be a great artist, but you must have some special skills for combining colors, tones and shades. You also have to be able to work with fabric and use textiles in a creative and original manner. Fashion designers have a good visual imagination and are able to think in three-dimensions and put their ideas into garments.
Fashion designers have to be aware of the fashion market requirements. They have to be very interested in learning new things and read magazines, journals and books on fashion design history and new trends. They also have to be interested in art, visit art galleries and interact with all kinds of artists whenever they have the opportunity. A designer should also have some knowledge and experience of tailoring (cutting, draping, sewing etc.) and be able to tell the difference between different fabric quality levels.
A good understanding of the audience's lifestyle and customer needs and requirements is also needed in fashion design. Designers should have good communication skills and be able to express their ideas clearly. But most important, they have to be very original and have fresh, innovative ideas.
New Delhi, 28 July 2012: Sabyasachi Mukherjee, the iconic designer whose forte lies in creating collections with strong social perspective, is all set to showcase his power packed line as the closing designer at the PCJ Delhi Couture Week 2012. The five-day Couture Week is being held from August 8-12, 2012 at Taj Palace, New Delhi. PCJ Delhi Couture Week, now in its third edition has over the years captured the finest impulses of the fashion industry at the fabled couture city of Delhi.
New Moon, Sabyasachi’s couture collection 2012 will be a juxtaposition of rigidity with delicate frivolousness. Austere, architectural, simplicity, the collection will flirt with whimsical undertones of Parsi culture and Paris in the 1920s. Straightforward glamour married with restrain will give this collection a voice which is quite its own.
Announcing the participation of the renowned designer, Sunil Sethi, President, Fashion Design Council of India said, “Sabyasachi is one of the best couture designers in the country. His shows are always looked-forward to by the fashion fraternity at large. His exquisite designs, grand presentation and the collection at large, tend to create a magic that spellbinds the audience, and thus he was an apt choice for the closing show. I’m sure Sabyasachi’s creativity and energy will give this show the much promised – new moon; and we wish him the best of luck for the same.”
About Fashion Design Council of India: A not for profit organization FDCI is the apex fashion council of India. Represented by over 300 designers, FDCI takes Indian fashion global by promoting the 'business of fashion'. For details visit www.fdci.org
About PC Jewelers Ltd.: Behind the expertise of the many lies the acumen of a few because every long journey is begun by visionaries who have the foresight, commitment and dedication to turn it into reality. PC Jeweller, The subtle, classy and the royal look that draws everyone’s attention is the magic of PCJ, that provide 100% Hallmarked jewellery and Certified Diamond jewellery, besides an alluring ambience to catch the mood. One can find contemporary collections and spectacular styles invading all PCJ stores which have opened their doors to connoisseurs of exquisite jewellery. The brand has 27 showrooms in 8 states of India.
PC Jeweller is cognizant of the fleeting jewellery trends and the fashion in the contemporary market. After all, they are the jeweller for generations!
Set to re-create the magic of the much-opulent PCJ Delhi Couture Week 2012, Fashion Design Council of India, the apex body of fashion design in India, announced the high profiled designers who would be showcasing their collections. An event presented for the seasoned taste of Delhi audience, PCJ Delhi Couture Week 2012 will kick off on Wednesday, August 8th and culminate on August 12th 2012 at Hotel Taj Palace in New Delhi.
The event draws talent from the Indian fashion fraternity known for its exceptional creativity. The five-day long event will witness 11 leading couturiers of India taking reign of the couture week and showcasing their magical collections.
Mr. Sunil Sethi, President, FDCI said, “Coming back with the third edition of the much-celebrated PCJ Delhi Couture Week following the exponential success of the past editions, I take pride in announcing the ultimate couture event of India. Through the event, we aim at providing networking platform to India’s finest fashion talent besides enabling exchange of ideas and industry developments. I am thankful to our designers and sponsors for supporting us in our endeavor. This couture week will bring together the best designers from India to create never seen before moments.”
About PC Jewelers Ltd.: Behind the expertise of the many lies the acumen of a few because every long journey is begun by visionaries who have the foresight, commitment and dedication to turn it into reality. PC Jeweller, The subtle, classy and the royal look that draws everyone’s attention is the magic of PCJ, that provide 100% Hallmarked jewellery and Certified Diamond jewellery, besides an alluring ambience to catch the mood. One can find contemporary collections and spectacular styles invading all PCJ stores which have opened their doors to connoisseurs of exquisite jewellery. The brand has 27 showrooms in 8 states of India.
PC Jeweller is cognizant of the fleeting jewellery trends and the fashion in the contemporary market. After all, they are the jeweller for generations!
1
Keep a research journal.
Keep a research journal.
Keep a research journal. Also write what type of fashion each company makes. These are called "fashion categories". Some examples of categories are: footwear, accessories, junior wear, and career wear. Decide what category interests you the most.
2
Start a style file or portfolio with pictures of that type of fashion.
Start a style file or portfolio with pictures of that type of fashion.
Start a style file or portfolio with pictures of that type of fashion. If you want to add sketches, that will only add to your notebook. Make a list of companies or brands in that category, as well as your favorite and most inspirational designers.
3
Keep fashion inspiration. Buy a simple cork board and paste, pin, and tack inspirational fashion pictures on it. Put it up somewhere where you will constantly see it, like your bedroom or a 'studio room' if you have one. Buy some folders and file fashion magazine clippings or computer print outs in it. Subscribe to fashion magazines like Vogue or Teen Vogue and stay on top of the latest trends. Keep a little book of fashion cuttings in your bag or purse. If you're constantly surrounded by fashion inspiration, the ideas will come flooding in. But remember - don't ever copy a fashion piece. Just be inspired to create your own.
4
Take an art class in drawing and sketching. Learn to draw drapery, to understand the flow of fabric (how it drapes). You'll start to notice the dark areas in the folds, and the lighter highlighted areas. If you can find a class that draws people or "life drawing", take that too. If you can't draw real people, start drawing from photos. Use tracing paper to trace over the pictures of fashion models. Then slim then even more and elongate them for dramatic effect. Also learn about color, and mixing color. Know what colors look good together and how color groups are assembled. Focus on drawing actual fashions, and perfecting drawing bodies.
5
Get a mannequin that you can pin fabric on, or drape to make designs to see how they would fit a body. Draping is another word for covering, dressing, or hanging cloth in loose folds. You can learn about this in a sewing class, or through a fashion school or program. Also, if you want to enter a fashion design college but you aren't the greatest at making sketches to add to your portfolio, it's always acceptable to just pin clothing you have designed and sewed onto your mannequin and take pictures of it.
6
Learn to sew clothes. Take a sewing or dressmaking class. Study the patterns and become familiar with sewing pattern shapes. Sew for real people (like family and friends) so that you get familiar with body shapes and fit. Also learn about fabric. Know what fabrics are made from (silk? wool? cotton?) and how they are woven (velvet, twill, satin). Know which types of fabrics are best for each of your designs (stiff fabric, drapery fabric, sheer fabric, etc).
7
Make clothes for other people. You will learn a great deal about dealing with a customer and fitting the human body in all its variations (tall, short, petite or large). You can also charge money for your work.
8
Learn about fashion trends. Visit web sites such as pantone.com to see what colors are going to be in fashion. Also try to predict what fashion will be popular in the future. Check out sites like elle.com or style.com
9
Learn how fashion is sold. Is it being sold in stores or online? What are the major department stores? What stores sell the category of fashion you are interested in? Also learn about "targeting your customer base." This means knowing the type of person who will buy your fashions.
10
Get professional training. Many places have public colleges or trade schools with excellent fashion training. Research it. See if schools in your area have a program in fashion. Plan to spend at least 1 to 2 years in any fashion design program. Don't feel that you have to spend a lot of money to get this training.
11
Seek an internship. Ask your teacher or instructor about this. An internship in Paris or at a design house in NYC would be a fantastic opportunity.
12
Portfolio and Resume: When you graduate, you should have a portfolio of your best work. Usually these illustrations are of the one category that you are interested in finding a job in. A good portfolio should hold all your sketches and then you will be able have an interview and showing your designs to the interviewers. A good size for a portfolio is 14" x 17".
13
First job. Think of your first job as 'graduate school'. You won't be the head designer yet, but you might work for him/her. It will be hard work, long hours, and lots of exciting times. As you work, you will move up the career ladder, working at many positions and gaining valuable industry experience. A professional designer has huge responsibilities, and only a seasoned one qualifies to take on those tasks.
14
Sketch and design. Start at home by sketching down some of your clothing ideas on a piece of paper and keep them in a special folder or sketch pad. Keep editing it until it's just right and explore with colors. Be creative, sketch daily, and watch 'Project Runway.'
Tips
Develop a working knowledge of design-related software programs such as Adobe Photo shop and Illustrator.
Read fashion magazines such as Vogue, Teen Vogue and Elle to keep yourself up-to-date with fashion trends. Also consider subscription to trade newspapers such as Woman's Wear Daily, or regional papers such as Apparel News. This is what the pros read, and you should too.
Learn about historical fashion. Know fashion styles from Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, through the Renaissance, Elizabethan, Victorian and 19th centuries. Know the important 20th century designers: Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, Poiret and the others.
Learn about ethnic or regional costumes: China, India, Africa, Mexico and others. Know the styles that people wear around the world, and how current fashion borrows from those styles.
Go to shops which sell materials and have a good feel to them so you know which fabric will be suitable for which type of clothes.
Becoming familiar with the computer and research is something that all fashion designers need to succeed. Try asking people you know who are good with computers to give you some great tips.
Cut bits of fabric that you like. Find buttons, lace, etc. to go with it and make a collage. Frame it if you wish.
Take classes in sketching and fashion illustration. Your ideas will usually be presented in sketch form. Computer aided drafting (CAD) is another useful skill.
Professional designers get ideas on their own time. Work hours are spent dealing with vendors, fitting models, publicity, production schedules and problems.
It would be useful to carry a camera (it can be a cheap one; it's just so an idea will stay in your mind) around with you, in case you are inspired. And be prepared to be - any designer can be inspired by the smallest things, so start snapping and sketching your ideas.
Be aware of how far in the future the fashion industry works to produce new styles. When fall merchandise is being shown in the fashion mags, spring or even the season after it is the focus of the designer. The color forecasts are a year ahead.
Watch Project Runway.
Always remember there is nothing you can't do so don't give up.
If you like, try to make paper fashions before you make real clothes.
