The Fashion Designer's Directory of Shape and Style: Over 500 Mix-and-Match Elements for Creative Clothing Design

by Simon Travers-Spencer, Zarida Zaman

Both students of fashion design and professionals in the field will find valuable inspiration in this profusely illustrated idea book. More than 1,200 detailed illustrations provide the building blocks for designing imaginative and original clothing. The opening section serves as a photo-illustrated catalog of basic shapes for:

*Sleeves * Necklines * Hems * Pockets * Ties and Fastenings * Collars * Cuffs *Waistbands *Embellishments (lace, applique, etc.)

The book's second and main section combines photos and fashion illustrations to present unique and original design ideas for all of the above-noted clothing parts. Sixteen original designs per page are sketched in a grid format, according to intended use: casual, formal, special occasion, and essential. The drawings are cross-referenced according to suggested fabrics for construction. A gatefold flap inside the book presents an outline human figure to guide designers in mixing and matching garment parts. The book's final section, titled "Taking It Further," shows how to find additional inspiration from outside sources, for instance from architectural details, or the graphic designs of the 1960s Op Art movement, or the dress designs of the 1930s. Readers will also find inventive ideas for using specialty fabrics, including silk, organza, and suede. Color photos and illustrations on every page.

Genres: Fashion, Reference, Nonfiction, Sewing

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Judi Easley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some people might pick this book up thinking it's going to teach them to be a fashion designer. No. Sorry, but this book cannot take the place of design school or an apprenticeship with a designer. That said, this book covers large chunks of what a designer does to get a fashion line from concept to fabric on warm bodies.

The book shows you what a mood board is and how it leads you to the design of the fashion line. How to work on a dress form is covered, so you learn how your fabric with move over the body. The section I liked the best was the one with all the necklines, hemlines, shoulders, collars and such. Seeing all the different types and learning the names. Seeing which type of fabrics work best for which styles and combinations.

This may not make you a fashion designer, but any hopeful future designer would be smart to read this before going off to design school. All this information would give you a leg up on your studies. This will certainly be a useful reference for me in upcoming projects. I'm always fiddling with patterns or making over existing items. Having these ideas at my fingertips will be priceless! I'd recommend this to anyone who wants to train to design fashion or to any sewer who fiddles like me.

I purchased this ebook from Barnes and Noble. I am not being compensated in any way. All opinions stated are fully my own.
~Judi E. Easley

[Lore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty useful guide of lineart for garment production and design. A concise, lightweight and organized little book with lots of options to choose from. However, a better option for the same content with a broader reach would be the Fashionary Fashionpedia.

[Lore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super useful guide to creating a fashion collection. A must have for students or beginner designers.