Ruling the Runway How to Become a Fashion Designer - Janet E. Middlemiss

> RULING THE RUNWAY

BREAK INTO FASHION

Tailor your dream.

10 steps to design a clothing line.

01

Pick a direction

First of all, choose a fashion direction. Will you design sportswear, streetwear, bridal, lingerie or couture? Think about the category and style of fashion that interests you the most. What’s the concept or inspiration behind your idea? Describe your target customer and the appeal of your design.

02

Study trends

Stay up-to-date with the fashion world from industry news to trends. Read magazines, watch runway shows, research online and attend events. Look at current themes, styles, unmet needs in the market and what other designers are doing. Use any insight to predict what customers want and keep designs fresh.

03

Develop skills

Ways to grow skills might include learning how to sketch, hang drapery or perfect the art of drawing bodies. Would it help to practice on a sewing machine or expand your knowledge of different fabrics? Can you start pinning on a mannequin or dressing others to familiar yourself with varying body shapes, fits and sizes?

04

Design garments

Now the fun stuff – start designing, be creative and explore. Don't worry about final details like stitch styles, trims or fabrics as soon you will develop and refine your ideas, turning them into real garments. Capture your desired look and feel with a mood board. Include sketches, colours, patterns and materials.

05

Source fabrics

It's good to have an awareness of how fabrics are constructed to decide what suits your garment best. You want to check a fabric’s weight, fiber makeup, cuttable roll width, country of origin, care instructions, cost per yard/metre and minimum order quantity. Recycled materials and eco-fabrics are also growing trends.

06

Produce samples

Once you've shortlisted your fabrics, it's time to whip up sample pieces to see how your apparel looks. These mock ups allow you to try different fabrics and colours, while review the garment's functionality and proportions. Prototypes help to catch errors before production so you can make improvements to the shape or style.

07

Test mock ups

Work with models to set sizes and see how your clothes fit and feel. If in sportswear, ask others to trial your product in varying weather conditions and incorporate their feedback. Conduct washing and drying tests to check for shrinkage and expansion. After laundering, does the fabric retain its colour and appearance?

08

Create a tech pack

A tech pack is a blueprint of all technical specifications that go into producing your garment. This dossier serves a guide for production teams. It should include flat sketches, photos and product samples, plus instructions on measurements, materials, colours, stitching, trims, special finishes, labelling and packaging.

09

Set up production

Don't worry if your volumes are low as there are plenty of options for newbie designers. If not tailor making one-of-a-kind handmade pieces, perhaps you can hire freelance sewers, set up a small studio with a few staff, work through a production house, outsource to a factory or burst onto the fashion scene though print-on-demand.

10

Build your brand

Good branding is all about building an emotional connection with consumers. Try to build a lifestyle around your brand. Tell your target customers who you are and why you exist. Share your story, inspiration, values and personality, plus any behind-the-scenes practices and experiences.

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