ELEMENTS

OF FASHION

By Sunil Talekar, Faculty, SOFT-Pune

WHAT IS THE ELEMENT OF FASHION?

The components and elements in any

apparel which gives a fashion look to
that are elements of fashions.

Like in shirt the elements of

fashions are
* collar
* cuf
* placket
* pocket
* Yoke

FUNDAMENTALS OF
FASHION

HAUTE COUTURE
French for Fine Tailoring
Design that predominated until
the 1950s
Made for the individual
customer, look and fit take
priority over the cost of
materials and the time it takes
to make
The most costly garments,
ranging from $2,000-$40,000.
High price guarantees you have
a one of a kind outfit or gown
that fits you perfectly and has
been designed with you in mind.

DESIGNER LABEL

A cross between couture and

mass market
Not made for individual
customers, but great care is
taken in the choice and cut of
the fabric.
These clothes are made with
high quality materials and
mass produced only in small
quantities to guarantee
exclusivity.
They are costly.
Examples: Donna Karan, Yves
St Laurent, Gucci

MASS MARKET
Clothes to cater to a wide range
of customers, producing readyto-wear clothes in large
quantities and standard sizes.
Less costly materials and
construction techniques,
creatively used, produce
afordable high street fashion.
Standardized sizing is used,
trims and notions are scaled
down but still try to keep the
look of Designer or Haute
Couture.
Other names for mass market:
ready-to-wear, of-the rack
Examples: Old Navy, Gap,
Abercrombie and Fitch, H&M

A FASHION YEAR

Two
main
seasons
Spring &
Summer
Autumn
& Winter

LIGHTWEIGHT FABRICS IN SUMMER

HEAVIER FABRICS IN WINTER

Both require a diferent fashion look and a new range of colors and fabric
designs for the time of year.

THE PLAN...

Designers work a year

in advance
In the spring, the studio
works for the
spring/summer of the
following year
Once a collection is
finished, on to the next!

THE PLAN...
Research

Each collection is
researched so that
all the items in it
complement
each other,
will be in style,
and have the
particular look
for which the
company is
known for.

THE PLAN...

Predicting Trends
A designers most
difficult task is
forecasting what
will be in style for
the coming years.

THE PLAN...

Predicting Trends
To do this, they
know the past
trends and look
at repeats. They
also purchase
HIGH priced trend
magazines.

THE PLAN...

Predicting Trends
Additionally
they observe
what
succeeded with
customers in
the past.

THEME
A designer selects a theme that represents their collection. It can be
a period in history, a foreign place, a range of colors, a type of
fabric

THEME

WHAT IS MOOD BOARD

A Mood Board is a summary of your collections
inspiration and theme.
Its a design tool that will help you remain
focused and consistent as your line develops.
Its also a great communication aid when
explaining your vision to others (retailers,
media etc.).
Magazine tears, fabric swatches, old photos,
buttons, ribbons; basically any visual reference
you desire are mounted onto a hard board. Be
sure to give your story board a title, like a book
or film.

HOW TO MAKE MOOD BOARD

1. Research: Go to galleries, exhibition, watch the music
videos, the latest fashion show, street fashion, specialty
magazines from diferent part of the world (fashion,
architecture, design), go to boutiques.
2. Take pictures of objects, scene and store front. Create
a mise en scene related to your theme.
3. Write down a few thematic keywords you want to
have in your design.
4. Combine two theme to create something new.
Example: Punk and Aristocrat, Urban and Cosmic

HOW TO MAKE MOOD BOARD

5. The presentation must be strongly themed, capturing
the mood in a nut shell and should always be
accompanied by a title. This can be determined by the
fabrics: Natural Linens, the season: Summer Blues, or the
merchandise: Metamorphosis
6. Cut out pictures that inspired you. Use anything you
can find from magazines, your pc or mac, tissue paper,
feathers, foil, string, fabric etc., books (not just fashion),
your own photographs and collect fabric and paint
swatches. But DONT go overboard, this can look messy.

HOW TO MAKE MOOD BOARD

7. Use a large sized board ( example 24x18) to lay out
your images, your color swatches, fabrics and buttons.
This allow you to show a complete idea.
8. Extract from the large board the essence of your
theme. At this point usually use Photoshop + scanning
and a smaller board.
9. Take a step back and critically look at what youve
created to see if it matches your keywords and theme you
defined earlier.
10. Show your mood board to 2 other people (from
diferent social circles (two friend might give the same
answers, but a friend and a peer might come up with
totally diferent critiques).

MOOD BOARD

MOOD BOARD

MOOD BOARD

THE COLLECTION
Designing
After the groundwork is completed for the nature of
the collection, the designer must decide how many
and what types of garments should be included in
the collection.
Usually, they have a three month period to design,
produce and publicize the collection in time for their
fashion show.
Press and buyers get their first look at the collection
at the show

THE RANGE...

DETAILING...

DETAILING...

THE DESIGN
Steps

Designers work diferently to put the design ideas

together: some sketch, drape fabric on a dress
stand, or use patterns from previous seasons
Create a paper pattern
Make a muslin sample
Try it on (a dress stand or live model) adjustments
are made When fit is right, a professional pattern
cutter makes an accurate pattern
A sample item is made in the fashion fabric, then
produced in various colors
Fashion show: reveals the finished designs in their
most attractive state

MEASUREMENTS

CONTINUE