Designing A Collection: Circumventing The Problems That Don’t Come Calling

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#fashiondesigner, #Fashionentrepreneur, #fashionlabel, #fashionstartup, #FreelanceFashionDesigner, brandconsultant, fashion, fashionbrand, Fashionbusiness, fashioncollection, fashionconsultant, Fuel4Fashion, garments, mannequins, patterns, production, sizerange, techpacks

In the manufacturing industry, and any other industry involving a physical product, it is a well-known fact that not everything always goes to plan. Even the smallest oversight can result in the wrong product being bulk produced.

In the world of fashion, such an aberration can mean that the entire collection is ruined. No consumer would tell the store representative that a particular piece of clothing didn’t fit them to perfection. As a result, your chances of making the same mistake over and over again are very high as well.

Today, we discuss two such cases where the tiniest problem resulted in some rather significant outcomes, and how Fuel4Fashion helped fix them.

Case 1: The Case of the Incomplete Tech Pack

In an earlier article, we discussed the importance of being thorough with your tech pack. After all, this material serves as the basis of every garment you design and every brief you send to the manufacturer.

In a couple of instances, hiring an inexperienced fashion designer has caused companies to falter along the way. In this particular case, their designer of choice had no experience in delegating work to different teams and had never worked on an actual tech pack before. As a result, the information sent out to the manufacturer was incomplete and fraught with errors.

The result? Over 60% of the proto samples came out wrong. Immense amounts of time and money were wasted in trying to correct the problem at each stage, only to realize that the problem resided in the tech pack.

Fuel4Fashion entered the scene at this juncture and redid the tech packs from scratch, as well as delivering them in record time to help the client get ready for the season’s launch.

The business lesson: If there’s a gap in sampling, always look at the tech pack first. Many problems could be lurking there.

Case 2: Shape Challenges

One of our clients had been getting a lot of complaints from their consumers. The owners of the women’s fashion brand were dealing with issues ranging from incorrect waist size to very tight armholes.

This was a strange conundrum because a recommended size almost always fits the end consumer, and even when it doesn’t the problem lies in a single area. Since we were creating the tech packs and had taken complete ownership of design, we went through all of the material created once more but found no flaws there.

It took a while for us to figure out that the client was testing the proto samples on live models, adjusting according to their measurements and sending the altered samples into production. Hence, as opposed to standard sizes, the end product was being manufactured in the size of three very specific models.

As a result, the clothes wouldn’t fit anyone else who wasn’t the exact same measure as the three models.

The business lesson: Use a mannequin! They come in standard sizes which comply with the rules of standard garment sizing. By using a mannequin, you can be sure of the end result. Even models have a specific body type, and that doesn’t always sit well with the end consumer.

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Supriya Ghurye is the founder and owner of Fuel4Fashion. She is a Freelance Fashion Designer and Brand Consultant helping fashion brands to create great products from idea to launch. Fuel4Fashion social links: Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram

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The Quick How-To for Creating Mood Boards

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#fashiondesigner, #fashionstartup, #moodboard, brandconsultant, colorpalette, conceptboard, creative, fashion, fashionbiz, fashionbrand, Fashionbusiness, fashionconsultant, fashiondesignprocess, inspiration, silhouette, style, trends

A mood board is one of the essential communication pieces in the fashion design process. It can be used both within teams and with external partners to bring alive the concept of a design. Mood boards are fairly popular in the fashion industry, but creative agencies from all walks lean on them to explain their ideas to clients.

Not designing a mood board can be a mistake of the same proportions as some of the others we discussed earlier, and can cause your team to run around in circles.

In this article, we cover the five primary elements of a mood board and how you can create an impactful one.

1) The mood of the collection: This forms the basis of your color choices, as well as your designs. For example, hearing ‘urban desert’ immediately inspires ideas filled with muted greens and browns, while ‘floral’ evokes an equally distinct image. Choose the mood of your collection carefully- it becomes the basis for all design decisions.

Mood board created by Fuel4Fashion, inspired from the Minimalism lifestyle for SS’18 women’s start-up fashion brand.

2) Concept board: The concept board is the idea behind the idea. ‘Floral’ is a concept. ‘Active wear’ is a concept. The concept board details which aspects of a design to highlight and which ones to assign a second priority to.

Concept board created by Fuel4Fashion, inspired from the Minimalism lifestyle for SS’18 women’s start-up fashion brand.

3) Style board: A loose crop top or a well-fitted blouse? Should trousers be narrow cut or broader? A style board defines the aspects of your collection that will eventually drive who will buy it. Indeed, most brands have a clear target audience and design exclusively for their body type.

Silhouette board created by Fuel4Fashion, inspired from the Minimalism lifestyle for SS’18 women’s start-up fashion brand.

4) Color Board: Be sure to use the right swaps and choose your colors carefully before they go into a mass product. The color palette you select underlines the entire collection. Not getting a shade just right can ruin the whole process. Having a fixed color palette solves the problem.

Color board created by Fuel4Fashion, inspired from the Minimalism lifestyle for SS’18 women’s start-up fashion brand.

5) Collection planning: This aspect determines how many pieces of a category you wish to have. For example, you may choose to design ten blouses, five skirts, three trousers and two accessories. Use past buying trends to of your customers to make these choices.

6) Optional: Artwork Inspiration: You can choose the art forms that you want to see represented in your collection. These can further be translated on to clothes through embroidery, sequins, digital prints, etc.

Creating A Mood Board :  When creating a mood board, think of these elements- your reference imagery, colors, and typography. The last one may not seem too critical, but it often offers that extra dash of inspiration for your team.

Recap of complete Mood Board created by Fuel4Fashion for SS’18, women’s casual wear collection for startup fashion brand

While both digital and physical mood boards are in use today, you can choose the format that serves your purpose best. If you have elements of embroidery and other work involved, a physical board may be ideal.

Experiment with different layouts for your images. Even the way an image is laid out (in a grid, triangular, scattered) in itself can represent the essence of your collection. So spend some time thinking through the layout.

Lastly, use color and type to highlight your ideas and give them new life. Today, there are many fonts and styles you can experiment with. Use those elements that add to your central them and do not distract from it.

On the whole, think through who your user base is. Whom is this mood board being designed to help? Design with their perspective in mind, and you are sure to succeed.

Also, are you following our inspiration cards on Instagram? If you find them thought-provoking, be sure to add them to your mood board and let us know!

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Supriya Ghurye is the founder and owner of Fuel4Fashion. She is a Freelance Fashion Designer and Brand Consultant helping fashion brands to create great products from idea to launch. Fuel4Fashion social links: Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram

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Women’s Casualwear Trends For SS’19: Effortless Fashion Is The New Norm

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#fashiondesigner, #Fashionentrepreneur, #fashionlabel, #FreelanceFashionDesigner, brandconsultant, casualwear, fashion, fashionbiz, fashionbrand, Fashionbusiness, fashionconsultant, trendalert, trendspotting, womensfashion, womenswear

In April, we discussed the trend forecast for active wear in SS ’19. In this article, we look at the five major trends in women’s casual wear for the same season, as well as the adaptations that some famous design houses are already working on.

At Fuel4Fashion, we believe that inspiration is the core of all creative development. Our designers post sketches and visuals on Instagram to inspire you to think of the same trend in a whole new light. Once you read this article, head on over there to find out more.

Without further ado, the five design trends.

1. Bohemian Rhapsody

Design houses are calling this trend ‘the Little House on the Prairie.’ Before we present our views and motifs that feature in this trend, why don’t you grab a piece of paper and jot down all the ideas that come to mind when you read that phrase? You can then use these ideas in your actual design process too. 

• Frills and florals: If you think you’ve seen embroidered denim in 2018, you’ve seen nothing yet. Expect bold floral prints, paints and thread work on a blue denim base. Contrasting colors add to the garden experience. Also expect to see paisley prints, gathered hemlines, flowy clothes, and airy silhouettes, all held together with a lovely little corset.
• The Village Belle: Who lives in the Little House on the Prairie? The girl who is proud of her earthen roots, of course! We’ll be seeing quite a few shirt dresses and maxi skirts in gingham. For those making a subtle statement, plain clothes in muted shades with a single, bold floral motif will be the go-to choice.

2. The Inner Self

We don’t need articles online to tell us that we’re disconnected from ourselves even as we’re connected to the world the whole time. In this age, what could be more pleasant than using clothing to express ourselves, to ourselves?

• Color-moods: Color influences our mood, and certain shades evoke some precise responses in us. Think psychedelic greens and colors of the orchid. Purple and lavender express our inner creativity, while green reminds us to take it slow. A pop of red teaches us to be bold, even as black and white tone us down.
• Satin and sequins: The best way to emphasize color is to use material that makes the color pop. Satin is the fabric of choice for this trend, as it looks different based on where the light falls. Sequins, too, are great for bouncing light off to create varying effects.

3. New Nautical

What is summer without a cruise? Nautical themes take on a new spin, ditching the plain polos and the breezy kaftans. Instead, we have bold stripes, suggestive shimmer and a whole lot of fun.  

• Drama mama: Modern art comes to clothing, with interpretations of famous paintings, sketch portraits and bold flowers making an appearance on clothes. Gingham and polka form the perfect base for statement necklines, mock-peplums, off-shoulder gathers and so much more. This trend is literally a blank canvas!
• Expect the unexpected: Why print hearts on denim when you can cut them out? Why scoop the neckline at the front when you can do a deep-V at the back? Think, and spin that thinking on its head for a whole new perspective.

4. The Earth Festival

Before the idol worship, before religion, and before time itself, there was the Earth and the sky and everything in between. Go back to the mindfulness of ancient civilizations with this understated trend. This is the perfect trend for those who love to blend into something bigger than themselves. 

• Pottery and ceramics: Many of the colors in this trend are reminiscent of cooking in clay pots, serving in ceramic bowls and eating on a roughhewn mattress. Think small floral prints for borders and white lace for a touch of the feminine.
• Prints and plains: Team up an elaborate, loose shirt in floral prints with a plain jumper. Add white lace to that plain brown dress. Even better, make a smock from a cutwork piece of cloth. It is all about worshipping balance.

5. Simple Bare Necessities

There’s something beautiful about the basics. Isn’t this why MUJI’s products do so well? This trend highlights the beauty of letting oneself shine, through the muted colors that expose our spirit.

• Geometry: Geometrical prints scale down to become borders and embellishments, even as plain blacks, blues, and whites stand out. Togas and Grecian cuts are in again, as are simple decorations like the ones we’d expect to see on Mysore silk weaves.
• A world meets itself: Zari makes its way to a co-ord set, even as t-shorts evolve into dresses and jackets taken on a whole new, urban metallic meaning. The basics are meant for the confident woman who knows how to shine in spite of distractions.

What inspiration are you drawing from these ideas right now? Share with us in the comments below.

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Supriya Ghurye is the founder and owner of Fuel4Fashion. She is a Freelance Fashion Designer and Brand Consultant helping fashion brands to create great products from idea to launch. Fuel4Fashion social links: Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram  

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Designing A Spring Summer Collection For 2019: The Loopholes You Need To Avoid

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#fashiondesigner, #Fashionentrepreneur, #fashionlabel, #FreelanceFashionDesigner, brandconsultant, bulk, colormatching, fashion, fashionbiz, fashionbrand, Fashionbusiness, fashioncollection, fashionconsultant, Fuel4Fashion, garments, production, SS19

Having ideas is just the beginning of the fashion journey. We firmly believe that fashion is one of those industries where there is infinite scope to ideate and design, but as a business, there are certain limitations on time and budgets. If you are a fashion label that isn’t planning for SS ’19 yet, there’s no better time than now to start.

A little over a year may seem like a long time, but in over six years of running Fuel4Fashion, we have noticed that clients struggle with unforeseen circumstances more often than not. In this article, we address some of these errors in planning and how they can be corrected well in time for you to have a smooth, seamless Spring Summer collection launch come 2019.

1) Designing For The Brand: The creative process is fraught with loopholes, the biggest of which is believing that the market will invariably like what we design. One of our clients approached the design process from the ‘brand-first’ perspective. As a result, the team’s personal preferences were accounted for, but they did not accurately reflect what the end consumer was looking for.

• The Fix: There’s a lesson in marketing for all businesspeople here. Always, always seek out and gather consumer insights. Even your next-door neighbor may have clothing preferences that do not match your own. Interview your target audience extensively, look for forecast reports and then add a bit of yourself into each of these saleable elements. For more design inspiration, take a look at our active wear recommendations for Spring Summer 2019.

2) Spending Too Much Time On One Aspect: Quick decision-making is a virtue and one that a fashion business owner would do well to develop early on. Sometimes, it is easy to get caught up in the nuances, which is just what happened with one of our clients. They had spent so much time in sourcing the right cloth that they missed the launch window entirely and spilled over into the next season. However, by then, their designs weren’t relevant anymore.

• The Fix: Unfortunately, this is an error that is best prevented before it is made. If you do end up pushing production too close to the window, the best thing you can do is go aggressive on sales. In the context of SS’19, trend reports are already available with consultants. Get in touch with an expert to understand the nuances of designing for an audience well over a year down the line. Most importantly, begin immediately.

3) Moving Too Fast: “Weren’t you just asking us to hustle a little while ago?” you may ask. Sometimes, going too fast can also cause considerable grief later, as witnessed by a client. The intent was right- they didn’t want to hold up the fabric dyeing process, and therefore chose to match the lab dips with a scanned copy of the fabric as opposed to the fabric itself. Lesson learnt- fashion is all about attention to detail. After a lot of money was spent and bulk fabric wasted, they realized that a small error led to huge consequences.

• The Fix: Once errors have been made in bulk, there is very little you can do to correct them without spending anything extra. If you do end up in a similar situation, you can either make the most of what you have or spend again and get the details right. A decision in this regard is dependent on your unique business considerations. On a broader level, rushing through any process always yields less than optimal results. Hence, it is better to begin early and work on every aspect industriously than to begin too late and do a rush job.

We reiterate- Spring Summer 2019 may seem like a year away, but time flies when you begin considering every aspect of fashion design and marketing. Get your team together and start right away. If you find that there are gaps in your business or design model that need to be fixed, don’t hesitate to speak with an industry expert and get their opinion before you begin.

 

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Supriya Ghurye is the founder and owner of Fuel4Fashion. She is a Freelance Fashion Designer and Brand Consultant helping fashion brands to create great products from idea to launch. Fuel4Fashion social links: Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram  

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