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

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, appliquque, 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.

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Over 500 mix-and-match elements for creative clothing design

An invaluable resource for dressmakers and students of womenâ  s fashion design, this book presents more than 500 detailed illustrations that give you the building blocks for creating imaginative and original garments. The authors tell you how to research ideas, master construction methods, and choose suitable fabrics. They also offer inspired suggestions for embellishing your creations.

Instructive illustrations provide an at-a-glance visual guide to scores of options for sleeves, necklines and collars, waistbands, pockets, cuffs, closures, and hems. Also shown are hundreds of shapes and styles for shirts, tops, skirts, pants, jackets, and dresses.

All garment illustrations are designed to fit the outlined human figure on the fold-out flap. Using it as your guide, you can mix and match shapes from the directory to create original garments and prototype collections.

Special feature: A comprehensive textile directory advises on using specialty fabrics such as silk, cashmere, and velvet. These fabricsâ  characteristics determine a garmentâ  s final shape and fit.

Simon Travers-Spencer teaches fashion design at Londonâ  s prestigious Central St. Martinâ  s College of Art and Design. He is currently developing his own label collection and acting as a trend researcher for a U.S.-based fashion forecasting agency.
Zarida Zaman teaches at both Central St. Martinâ  s and London College of Fashion, specializing in teaching womenâ  swear fashion design. She has designed garments for a wide range of markets, including work for fashion houses of Fabio Prias, Joe Casely Hayford, Florence-based Enrico Coveri, and French Connection.