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Jan 14
Have you ever wondered how the sketches of a designer come to life, becoming the finished products we wear?
If you think it only takes a designer to build a fashion collection, that’s not entirely true.
Bringing a fashion collection to life takes hours and hours of work, and a team of many skilled designers, pattern makers, product developers, buyers, and more.
Let’s see how a fashion collection comes to life in 5 steps.
Step 1. The designer starts by doing research and looks for inspiration
The development of a collection starts with the research phase. Designers look for the inspiration that will drive the entire collection theme. To do so, they look at the archive of the brand, and they take inspiration anywhere they can find it - from art, history, movies, and nowadays from social media as well.
Step 2. The brand analyzes how the product’s sales would perform
Although the designer’s creativity is a fundamental part of the development of a collection, what brands want to take into account to create amazing fashion products is also their sales performance. This is why the research process also involves looking at business and market analysis, numbers, and data, including past sales and future trends to make sure that the products meet consumers’ needs so that the collection actually sells. What are the trends going toward next season? What will be the best fabrics and colors? Will next season be more about long or short coats? Normally, it’s the trend forecaster who gives data about future trends, colors, and fabrics.
Step 3. Collection merchandisers produce the collection grid
Based on their analysis with information about what the collection should include, collection merchandisers produce what’s called a “collection grid” that designers use as well. This way, they know exactly how many coats, dresses, skirts, etc. to produce in bulk.
Step 4. The design process starts and pattern makers get involved
Once the inspiration and collection grid is established, the design process can begin. But before going straight to production, pattern makers transform the sketch into a technical design that factories will produce later.
So no, sketching doesn’t lead straight to production. Why? Because although those sketches may look beautiful on paper, they only give a vision of the product - not its final wearable version.
Step 5. The production starts
Of course, not all quantities are produced initially. Factories just produce the first samples of the collection (that can go back and forth multiple times until the product is perfect) that need to be confirmed before producing in bulk because it’s very likely the garments will need more adjustments.
That’s what fitting sessions are for - to point out and remove defects, and resolve technical issues to execute the design’s intent for the garment. Designers are there as well to suggest edits and to check if their vision is now well-represented in the final product.
At this point, fast fashion brands begin production in bulk, while other brands use the first samples for fashion shows and presentations, and production in bulk begins after buyers have placed their orders.
And that’s how a fashion collection is created.
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