Debbie Shaw
Professor Kevin Oberlin
English 289
19 January 2012
A Fashion Designer’s Manifesto
According to one of my professors, and I apologize that I do not recall who, humans began wearing clothing, not for the sake of warmth or protection from the elements, but rather for the sake of self-adornment. The factual nature of that statement is likely debatable, and may vary depending on place in time, and religious and societal influences,. But, it is indisputable that for most people selecting what clothes to put on is a response to a mood, and the desire to present oneself in a specific way to the world around us. The fashion designer’s challenge is to satisfy his or her own creative urges, while at the same time pleasing the consumer well enough to maintain a profitable business. A designer’s business model includes dealing with textilers, sewers, pattern makers, shippers, marketers, retailers, and any other supplier of goods or services that are involved in producing the end garment.
A fashion designer chooses the profession based on a desire to either further develop an innate creative gift, or a desire to be a part of an industry that interests him or her. In either instance, it is to fulfill a passion.
The following is a list of necessary traits of a fashion designer -
A fashion designer strives to create a garment or look with the same eye that a painter uses to paint art that has balance and meaning. It must satisfy both the artist and the viewer.
A fashion designer strives to create garments that display a level of taste that is both within an acceptable realm and at the same time pushes a potential consumer to purchase it. This is true regardless of the particular aesthetic of the targeted market.
A fashion designer must have a working knowledge of patterning and the capabilities and limitations of the garment construction process.
A fashion designer must have enough knowledge of textiles to be able to choose one with the appropriate properties for the garment they are designing, and for the lifestyle of the consumer. Those characteristics include but are not limited to hand, durability, stability, and care.
A designer must have knowledge of the human body and its proportions to design garments that function properly, and flatter the human form.
A fashion designer strives to provide the wearer with a physical sense of comfort. This is done through proper cut and appropriate use of textiles.
A fashion designer strives to create garments that impart an emotional sense of confidence in the wearer. This is done by understanding the customer’s sense of style.
Like all consumer-oriented businesses, the garment industry is constantly evolving to keep up with influences from all things political, religious, and societal, as well as trends, technological advances, and the economy. People make statements in the way the dress, even if their point is to make the statement that they don’t care how they dress. As a fashion designer it is my job to find the niche that best suits my own idea of what fashion should look like and make the best contribution I can.
I was very surprised to see as part of your manifesto that a fashion designer creates a garment that must satisfy both the artist and the viewer. My initial reaction was to disagree this statement because being in the architecture field, our design projects are heavily dictated by the client, and often don't turn out exactly the way that we designers wish it to be. I have found this more on coop than in school, however, in school the professor is your client that you are often trying to please instead of taking the route you may have wanted to. But I think the interesting part about fashion design is that you are able to design for you, just as the person who will be wearing the piece. People are drawn to pieces that intrigue them, that they think will look good on them, and everyone has a different style, which means you can do your designs because chances are someone is going to enjoy it and wish to wear it. I think something that needs to be communicated to those not in the profession is the heavy emphasis on the knowledge of textiles because I think that the extent to which you must know the processes and the materials is something that is overlooked.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading you manifesto about fashion designer. I especially like the information that you included about designer being knoweldgeable about the body and how it is porportion. I often see clothes stat3e one size fits all, but one size doesn't always fit all because every human body is made differently.I agree that the clothing should flatter the human form.
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