The Language of Fashion Design

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A design collection usually addresses a season, a

lifestyle, a specific group of fabrics for a specific

price point around an idea or theme, for a target

customer. The theme may be visual, conceptual, or

color based. A collection will often reflect the time

collection

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the language of fashion design

in which it was created, whether through

technological, color, or silhouette trends

or visual content, although a collection will

have a universal quality if it is made to last

beyond trends.

Most designers design and produce

collections. Although one-of-a-kind and

unique pieces can hold a higher value for

their labor and uniqueness, pieces that are

presented and created together reflect a

particular complex design process involving

functionality and cohesion that is engaging

for the viewer, the buyer, and the designer or

design team. Collections offer options within

a temporal theme and are usually produced

in quantity with a set of fabrics and shapes

selected for that season. A broad line or col-

lection enables the designer to reach a wider

audience with more options.

A theme, a shape, an art movement, a

new fabric manipulation, embroidery, color,

motif, treatment, or construction technique

may play across garments in a collection to

make it cohesive. A group of textures, prints,

a historical or cultural reference, explora-

tion of a silhouette, or attempts to solve a

specific design problem could also form the

basis for a collection. Choosing a selection

(continued on page 212)

Four-piece outerwear col-

lection, gouache. Pictured

are four unique silhouettes

in two fabrics, with contrast

yellow lining. Front and back

views emphasize horizontal

bands, while minimal seams

and edges in arcs or S-curves

wrap the body in careful

silhouettes. The necklines

are warm and flattering.

ANNE BORELLI,

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil