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To Create Fashion Designs

  1. Question the overall situation for the design.
    • Subject: What context is the design intended for? A play or other sort of performance? A formal occasion? An office or other work environment? Home? The beach?
    • Purpose: What purpose will the item serve? Formal dress? A uniform? A costume? Exercise? Swimwear? Sleepwear?
    • Audience: Who will wear the design? What will they expect from it? How may it be tailored to suit them? Who will view the design in use? What trends in fashion may influence your design?
  2. Plan your graphic design by making sketches. Use a computer design program or a sketch pad and pencils. For clothing, experiment by draping and pinning fabric on a tailors’ dummy. For jewelry, mock up your design with cheap, disposable materials.
  3. Research your design.
    • Gather information about the materials to be used in your design and the tools for working with those materials.
    • Organize your materials and tools.
  4. Create your item.
    • Costumes work with stage design to create an overall impression while also conveying details about their actors.
    • Clothing both covers and adorns us. It serves a functional purpose as well as a decorative one.
    • Jewelry enhances clothing.
  5. Improve your fashion design.
    • Evaluate your product.

      Does it serve its purpose well? Is it comfortable, durable, and attractive?

      Does it look good from all sides?

    • Revise your fashion design.

      Remove any distracting elements.

      Rearrange parts that look out of place.

      Redo parts that do not fit well or are otherwise unsuitable.

      Add any needed elements to strengthen the design visually or physically.

    • Perfect your design.

      Smooth any troublesome spots.

      Finish any last touches for polish and durability.

  6. Present your fashion design, arranged in an attractive package, displayed in a fashion show, or worn yourself.
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Costumes

At first glance, this Raggedy-Ann-style costume appears to be a haphazard collection of rags. Closer inspection reveals a careful design.

Note the repeated pattern of pink and gray patches diagonally across the bottom half and the gray sleeve above. Note as well how the three brown sections (in different shades) work with the tan section containing dark gray circles.

Also note the three shades of pink, including the patterned section that makes up much of the top. Example Costume
 

Clothing

This knit cap is both functional and eye-catching, combining several colors of brown yarn in a progressive pattern, and adorned by yarn tassels simulating an owl’s ears. The eyes and beak are felt patches stitched to the yarn. Felt was used because its soft surface matches the soft appearance of the yarn itself. Example Clothing
 

Jewelry

This bracelet was constructed from an assortment of old beads. Notice how the warmth of the long wooden beads adds a welcome contrast to the colorfulness of the plastic beads. Note also how the metal charms draw attention to the smaller metal beads, lending the collection a sense of whimsy and character. Example Jewelry
 
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