Week 8: Intro to Designing our own collection (in groups)
Basic Guideline in Designing a collection
Step 1: Brainstorming a Theme
One way we can do so is to use WGSN to look up trends/predictions, when thinking of a theme/idea.
It is also important to get accustom to looking at trends, to be able to predict/start a trend in the future! :)
Another way we can do so is also to start from a general concept like Nature, then analyse the options, for example the ocean/sea, then go even further to a specific element/part like corals/jellyfish. From here on, I feel we could even explore into a colour scheme/silhouette.
I learnt that it is also important to explore out of the boundaries of a given concept.
Step 2: Identify Target Market
Knowing what kind of demographic we are targeting is crucial as each person wears different kinds of clothing. This demographic can include the age, race or religion of a person, so there are various considerations. Basically, we are creating a character to design for.
Step 3: Pricing
After identifying a specific demographic, we also need to know how much they will be willing to pay/ what kind of prices they can afford. This sort of sets the basis for the kind of designs we can do, because the lower the price they pay, the lesser details we can give, and vice versa.
Step 4: What kind of wear?
For example, casual/formal/streetwear. It is also good to focus on a specific wear like cocktail loungewear VS casual loungewear.
Step 5: Choosing fabric
Step 6: Range of Collection
For example, what garment/what variety will we be focusing on.
Step 7: Function
Think: Who will wear and use the fabric?
How wearable/useful is the garment?
Step 8: Identify Competitors
I realise that as a designer, you also need to have a clear grasp of the market situation and know how to merchandise or brand oneself. Knowledge on competitors who produces similar style of clothing/uses the same theme, is important because we can know what kind of demographic spends on these type of clothing.
Step 9: Spot Problems & Look for Solution
Brainstorming
Initial Ideas
Being teens and young adults ourselves, we wanted to target a similar demographic.
After looking through future trends on WGSN, whilst incorporating our own ideas, we wanted to go for something colourful and vibrant; Hence we wanted to pick the retro 60s as our theme, as it consisted of bold pastel tones and many recurring trends as well.
Comments
We were advised not to pick a intangible theme, because it could be harder for us to analyse or base our designs off of.
Furthermore, we realise that we were actually looking at 60s fashion and not the concept itself, which was wrong because it meant we were basing our designs off another garment, instead of coming up with something new and unique.
After
We still wanted to do a vibrant collection, but we also wanted to do an Autumn Winter Collection, hence we then thought of Russian fashion, which then brought us to Russian (nesting) dolls, A.K.A, Matroyshka dolls.
Weekly Observations
Step 1: Brainstorming a Theme
One way we can do so is to use WGSN to look up trends/predictions, when thinking of a theme/idea.
It is also important to get accustom to looking at trends, to be able to predict/start a trend in the future! :)
WGSN team looking at latest runway trend
(Source:http://fashionandmash.com/2014/09/03/wgsns-social-media-news-room-to-provide-more-access-to-fashion-week-season-than-ever-before/)
Another way we can do so is also to start from a general concept like Nature, then analyse the options, for example the ocean/sea, then go even further to a specific element/part like corals/jellyfish. From here on, I feel we could even explore into a colour scheme/silhouette.
I learnt that it is also important to explore out of the boundaries of a given concept.
Step 2: Identify Target Market
Knowing what kind of demographic we are targeting is crucial as each person wears different kinds of clothing. This demographic can include the age, race or religion of a person, so there are various considerations. Basically, we are creating a character to design for.
Step 3: Pricing
After identifying a specific demographic, we also need to know how much they will be willing to pay/ what kind of prices they can afford. This sort of sets the basis for the kind of designs we can do, because the lower the price they pay, the lesser details we can give, and vice versa.
Step 4: What kind of wear?
For example, casual/formal/streetwear. It is also good to focus on a specific wear like cocktail loungewear VS casual loungewear.
Career wear VS Casual Wear
(Left: Giorgio Armani S/S 2017; Right: Gucci Resort 2017)
Step 5: Choosing fabric
Step 6: Range of Collection
For example, what garment/what variety will we be focusing on.
Miu Miu A/W 2017 focuses on a range of fur and oversized garments
Think: Who will wear and use the fabric?
How wearable/useful is the garment?
Step 8: Identify Competitors
I realise that as a designer, you also need to have a clear grasp of the market situation and know how to merchandise or brand oneself. Knowledge on competitors who produces similar style of clothing/uses the same theme, is important because we can know what kind of demographic spends on these type of clothing.
Step 9: Spot Problems & Look for Solution
Brainstorming
Initial Ideas
Being teens and young adults ourselves, we wanted to target a similar demographic.
After looking through future trends on WGSN, whilst incorporating our own ideas, we wanted to go for something colourful and vibrant; Hence we wanted to pick the retro 60s as our theme, as it consisted of bold pastel tones and many recurring trends as well.
Comments
We were advised not to pick a intangible theme, because it could be harder for us to analyse or base our designs off of.
Furthermore, we realise that we were actually looking at 60s fashion and not the concept itself, which was wrong because it meant we were basing our designs off another garment, instead of coming up with something new and unique.
60s fashion
(Source:
After
We still wanted to do a vibrant collection, but we also wanted to do an Autumn Winter Collection, hence we then thought of Russian fashion, which then brought us to Russian (nesting) dolls, A.K.A, Matroyshka dolls.
Set of 7 Matroyshka dolls
All Denim with Center Front Seam and Missing Pocket Detail
(Extracted from Lookbook: "All Denim" by Helen)
Typically,I wouldn't see the seam at centre front,especially for a top or dress.So this was really interesting and I felt it gave the whole ensemble a new flavour as well.
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