1. Learn the Language of Fashion Intro to Fashion Design Your Name:

2. Objective: Learn these terms and be able to use them to describe a garment… Silhouette Fit Proportion Line Fabric, Texture Color Detailing

3. Silhouette The overall shape of a garment – Ignore details, fabric, and texture – Look at shoulders, waist as key areas – Often applied to dress shapes A-line Empire Princess Ballgown Sheath Mermaid

4. Silhouettes in Detail Ball Gown Fitted Torso Flared waist Multilayered, full skirt Overall hourglass silhouette A-Line Gentle flare from shoulders Flared skirt to form A silhouette Empire High waistline Narrow silhouette

5. Silhouettes in Detail Sheath Follows natural silhouette of the body Often strapless or backless Fishtail Follows natural silhouette of the body, but flares at the bottom

6. Fit How closely the garment fits the body – Different areas of the garment can have different fit – Look at arms, body, legs

7. Proportion How the garment divides or cuts the body into different zones – The waist of a garment does not need to match your actual waist – it can be high, low, or absent altogether – A garment can divide the body using vertical, horizontal, or diagonal lines, or with changes in color or fabric – For jackets, coats, and skirts, the length/hem is a crucial part of the proportion.

8. Line How seams or other major lines affect the visual impact of the garment Also called the garments cut There is no one place to put a seam – they can be moved around the body to create the garments line Can accent the body shape or disguise it – Vertical lines lengthen the body – Horizontal lines widen the body – Straight lines are usually seen as hard or masculine – Curved lines are usually seen as soft or feminine – Layers of clothing create multiple lines

9. Fabric, Texture Fabric: the materials used in constructing the garment – Weight (light to heavy) Affects how the garment drapes the body Tied to seasons (spring/summer or fall/winter) Texture (what the fabric feels like) Somewhat tied to weight – heavy fabrics tend to have heavy textures

10. Color Like texture, often influenced by season – Lighter colors for spring/summer – Darker colors for fall/winter Red and black together is often seen as cliché Mixing many primary colors can look garish or too loud But there are always exceptions

11. Detailing All the practical considerations that make the garment wearable AND any applied decorations: – Fasteners (buttons, zippers, snaps, Velcro) – Pockets (position and type) – Topstitching (stitches that are visible in the final garment) – Embellishments (lace, beads, rhinestones, etc.) Crucial in mens formal clothing, because its one of the few elements that are not determined by tradition

12. Practice: Describe this garment in terms of Silhouette Fit Proportion Line Fabric, Texture Color Detailing From the G-Star Spring 2010 Collection

13. Sample Answer: This is a closely fitted mens suit. The shoulders have a natural silhouette, and the hip-length jacket is tailored to the body. The pants are slightly more roomy, but with tapered cuffs. The charcoal gray fabric is shiny and has a leather-like appearance. The sleeves are accented by white cuffs, and the garment is matched with gray shoes with white soles again providing a visual accent. From the G-Star Spring 2010 Collection

14. Now you try it: Describe this garment in terms of: Silhouette Fit Proportion Line Fabric, Texture Color Detailing From the Wayne Fall 2010 Collection

15. Name: Homework: Describe this garment (silhouette, fit, proportion, line, fabric, texture,color, detailing). Create a paragraph of full sentences that is structured to provide the most import facts first, then add details. ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ From the Wayne Fall 2010 Collection

16. Homework: In your own words, define these terms, based on the handout: Silhouette:___________________________________________ ____________________________________________ Fit:__________________________________________________ ___________________________________________ Proportion:___________________________________________ ____________________________________________ Line:________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ Fabric,Texture:________________________________________ ____________________________________________ Detailing:_____________________________________________ ___________________________________________