Fashion design is rapidly evolving. Robots cut and sew, artificial intelligence predicts trends, and virtual models are created in virtual realities. Every stage of clothing creation is accelerated by automation and personalization. It is possible to effectively run a fashion business only by understanding this and consciously managing the routine.
Those designers who work in the fashion business today and want to develop systematically can no longer use traditional tools and systems. The optimal method that can distinguish itself from competitors is investing in software. The listed programs are suitable for both private designers and small brands, as well as large sewing factories.
Clo
Clo — the most popular service for fashion designers, where you can create a simple T-shirt in just 2 minutes. The built-in renderer allows you to create first-class realistic images.
Clo has dozens of ready-made templates and sketches, based on which you can create your own 3D clothing models in 360-degree format with the ability to record video. The avatar on which the clothes will be tried on can be edited to make it as close to the target audience as possible. Here is an example from the main page of the site:
Cool, right? Among the functionality, automatic size correction, the ability to combine patterns and segmental stitching deserve attention. The system also has a built-in fabric library and a tool for adding accessories - buttons, zippers, etc. There is an automatic layout of patterns on the fabric.
For teamwork, the CLOSET workspace will come in handy, where you can quickly exchange the necessary files. The service interface is translated into Russian. The trial version is provided free for 30 days!
Valentina
Valentina — a free, open-source pattern-making program. The program simplifies work with colors, styles, and patterns. Unique templates can be download from GitLab.
It is widely used by fashion designers of small brands, private tailors, small and medium-sized weaving factories, and in general by many in the clothing industry. The project was started by Roman Telezhinsky back in 2013. Now its authors are already running two projects: Valentina and Seamly2D.
The program has more than fifty pattern-building systems, parametric patterns are created using mathematical formulas. Drawing tools are supplied with instructions, so it will not be difficult to understand.
Tailornova
With the help of 3D modeling tools, convenient size adjustment and wide possibilities of pattern combinations Tailornova allows you to easily create an unlimited number of models. The service works online. Users like it for the ability to create their own design in just a few minutes, simply by choosing suitable sketches and patterns.
The service has a wide range of pattern combinations that can be easily adjusted to the desired size. Automatic and manual allowance settings are provided. In total, up to 10 product length options can be generated. And with the help of the 3D FitModel algorithm, you can see how they will look on the model (the result is quite realistic). Finished patterns can be printed or saved in PDF format.
Browzwear
Browzwear — the first company to offer 3D solutions for the fashion industry, appeared in 1999. For clothing designers, Browzwear accelerates the process of developing collections. Today, Browzwear includes 5 programs, each of which is designed for a specific stage of work:
- Work on projects is carried out in Vstitcher,
- New styles and models are created in Lotta,
- Stylezone will help you in collaboration and sales,
- Smart Design is designed to work with mass production,
- Fabric Analyzer automates material analysis.
VStitcher allows you to design garments by specifying parameters for sizes, fabrics, shades, and taking advantage of 3D rendering. Designers can create designs and take them to higher levels by ensuring garment fit during the manufacturing process, refining samples, grading, and more.
The program is optimal for building a production process, including creating samples and refining them, including when changing the contours or modifying existing samples. There is a tool for adjusting to the figure on virtual prototypes to find and correct problems. This allows you to create complex samples with maximum accuracy.
Why use special software?
Such programs have several advantages. For example, users can easily coordinate and control several parallel work processes at once.
Almost any program has ready-made templates, so even beginners can handle them without problems. A fashion designer can create several designs at once and see their creations in detail before they start cutting.
The ability to collaborate securely simplifies the process even further. Costs are significantly reduced, which contributes to increased productivity.
A bit of history
The first fashion designer in history is considered to be Charles Frederick Worth, who began working in 1846. Every Parisian knew his fashion house "House of Worth". That is why Paris became the very first capital of fashion.
At that time it was more about "Haute Couture" (from the French "high fashion"), clothes intended exclusively for members of the royal family and other wealthy people. Later, fashion designers began to practice mass production. The time of brands and labels came.
Today, clothing designers care about style, comfort, and more. The industry is rapidly evolving thanks to innovative technologies. The rigid framework of the Victorian era is a thing of the past; modern design tools and systems allow free experimentation with patterns and styles.
Among the leading fashion designers are Valentino Garavani, Giorgio Armani, Coco Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford, Kate Spade, Betsey Johnson, Marc Jacobs.