The most expensive natural dye was called Tyrian purple, which came from small snails. It took 8,000 snails to produce a single gram of Tyrian purple. Although beautiful, Tyrian purple, named after the city of Tyre, retained a fishy smell even after it had been made into a garment.
Later, Indigo blue dye was made from the leaves of fermented Indigo plants. Red was also an expensive dye because it was made from a little bug found in Mexican cactus called the cochineal. It typically took 70,000 female cochineal insects to make 1 pound of red dye.
The people who could afford dyed garments tried to ensure that the regular people would not wear the same clothing as them. For example, in some countries it was against the law for ordinary people to wear red, although people broke the rules all the time; some Japanese lined their kimonos in red, or secretly wore red underwear.
Due to expensive natural fabric dyes and laws about who could wear certain colored clothing, wealthy people wore brightly colored clothing while less wealthy people wore clothes in shades of tan, gray, green, or brown.
Fast forward to the middle of the 1800s when synthetic dyes were invented. There was an increased interest in chemistry at that time and first a mauve dye called “mauviene” was invented and produced in a London factory. Magenta and other brightly colored synthetic dyes were also made from chemicals and easily produced in factories.
Colors that were once restricted to only the wealthy became available to more people as brightly colored fabrics become cheaper to produce. Even the poorest of people could afford to wear vibrant colors. Eventually fashion fabrics were even colored with neon and other unusual colors.
We have recently noticed that fashion consumers are moving away from wearing fashion fabrics tinted using synthetic dyes. Interest in the application of natural dyes in the textile and fashion industry has increased, mainly due to the environmental and health related problems associated with the use of synthetic dyes.
Most textile designers want to create print designs for fashion fabrics that use natural dye so they are non-toxic for the workers who make it, non-toxic for the people who are wearing it, and non-toxic for the environment that receives used clothing. They also want the option of using vibrant colors, which is entirely possible using natural dyes, although it may take a while for the textile industry to reconfigure its manufacturing processes.
CREDITS:
Fabric Design: IG @daniellenelisse
Photographer: IG @brittneybakerphotographymaui
Model: Brigitte Axelrode in Hawaii (IG @gigilaxel)
]]>Floral fashion prints are often associated with delicate and sweet designs. Abstract fashion prints, on the other hand, may be considered more edgy and modern. Abstract print and pattern fashion fabric give you the versatility to create a unique style. Abstract prints look vibrant and skim over the hips and tummy to create a slimline silhouette. Wearing an abstract print can be outside of your comfort zone, but a bold print may compliment fuller figures in all the right places.
Floral prints are often associated with spring and summertime, while abstract prints are often worn in the fall and winter. However, there are a lot of ways to dress for the spring and summer season without relying on floral prints. Some of the year’s biggest trends, like bright colors, are absolutely perfect for the spring season.
Who says that the only pattern that screams spring is floral? This year’s spring and summer fashion pieces have no shortage of fun, gorgeous, non-floral patterns—including everything from paisley to geometric to abstract. A unique statement piece can be worn without defaulting to a floral print.
It used to be said that floral prints were used to create a more feminine look, while abstract prints are more masculine – but not anymore! Floral prints were long associated with womenswear. However, times have changed and hopefully, masculinity is more secure in itself than to cringe at the very thought of wearing something like a flower. If anything, the acceptance of colors like pink, baby blue, and teal have shown that many men are ready to embrace the floral style.
The floral trend initially made its way into menswear with the Hawaiian shirt and swim trunks. Its large appeal gave way for designers to work with floral patterns outside of the traditional vacation shirt. Currently, floral styles have moved away from the tropics to include Native American, African and English floral prints.Today, fashionable menswear is appropriating traditionally feminine design elements on an unparalleled international scale.
Floral prints may add a touch of childishness to an outfit, while abstract prints may be viewed as more adult. Have you heard this lately? “I’m so sick of floral prints! They are everywhere. I feel like I can’t find a cute dress that is a bold graphic or geometric print anywhere. Does anyone know of any bold print dresses out there?”
Floral prints may be easier to mix and match with other pieces of clothing, while abstract prints may be more difficult to mix and match. Some brands try to hide bigger bodies behind unflattering ruffles and childish tiny flower prints. However, bold florals and large-scale florals fit into a dramatic dressing style and exude more power and confidence.
There is a reason that floral prints are more commonly found in affordable clothing brands, while abstract prints are more commonly found in expensive brands.
Creating a digital repeat floral pattern is less time consuming, and therefore less expensive for garment manufacturers to purchase. Once the floral design is drawn on a computer or Ipad, there are many software programs that can automatically turn one flower into a digital repeat pattern.
On the other hand, complex abstract prints are usually hand painted onto a canvas, photographed, and then manipulated by software into a repeated pattern. Sophisticated graphic design skills are required to transform the painting into a repeat pattern usable for fashion fabric. Therefore, complex abstract fashion artwork is more expensive for garment manufacturers to purchase.
Think about wearing bold colors that make you feel great! Life is short!
CREDITS:
Fabric Design: IG @daniellenelisse
Photographer: IG @brittneybakerphotographymaui
Model: Brigitte Axelrode in Hawaii (IG @gigilaxel)
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The fashion trend cycle is now shorter than ever. In the past, a trend used to last 20 years. Due to TikTok and social media, fashion trend cycles have accelerated to a few months or weeks.
The acceleration in and out of style doesn’t just mean a wardrobe feels outdated within a year, or that shoppers fell for a trend. It also translates to thousands of discarded clothes ending up in a landfill.
What makes a fashion design “outdated”? If you believe everything you read, the entire country is not only talking about fashion trends but also wearing them. Last summer, crochet clothing was everywhere. From dresses to tote bags, something crochet could be found in almost every clothing store.
Trend agencies make money forecasting the next fashion trend, publishing trend books for fashion designers and brands. On average, it costs garment manufacturers at least $1,000 per season to buy trend books to keep up with fashion trends.
Why? Garment manufacturers and fashion brands fear they could be missing a trend and therefore missing out on sales. So, they follow the forecast of trend agencies to design their clothing. The result is that the entire fashion industry often makes the same clothes to sell to customers. How many times have you gone clothes shopping and felt everything looks the same?
Unfortunately, fashion trend forecasting doesn’t encourage new ideas. Not everyone wants the same clothing, in the same colors, using the same prints, made out of the same material. More and more fashion customers are looking for something different because they wear fashion to express themselves.
The best garment manufacturers follow their style instincts.
They sell to customers who don’t want to wear the same clothes as everyone else. A patterned silk coat, an embroidered bomber jacket, a gold loafer, an abstract printed blouse – they all become personal statements that can be worn and enjoyed for decades.
Fashion is important for expressing creativity, identity, and joy. But none of these things can be achieved if we are chasing fashion trends purposefully designed to become outdated. Follow your style instincts and celebrate color and creativity!
CREDITS:
Fabric Design: IG @daniellenelisse
Photographer: IG @brittneybakerphotographymaui
Model: Brigitte Axelrode in Hawaii (IG @gigilaxel)
]]>If so, this blog post is for you!
We'll take a look at the entire process, from the initial artwork to the finished product, and explore all the steps that go into designing fabric for highfashion. From understanding the different types of fabrics to learning about the various techniques used to make them come to life, this post will cover it all.
Sooooo... if you want to know what goes into the creation of textiles for fashion design, keep reading!
Designing the Artwork
Creating fabric for fashion starts with the initial artwork. For some designers, this involves starting with a blank canvas and drawing or painting the idea they have in their minds. Other times, it might involve using a painting already created by an artist, making a high resolution scan or photograph of it, and then turning it into a repeatable pattern computer file used to print fabric. With hand-painted art, it takes special attention to details to ensure that the final textile design looks as close as possible to the original artwork.
Garment Manufacturers License the Artwork
Garment manufacturers already have an idea what garments they wish to make for the next season. Prints that are trending for 2023 are abstract, celestial, artsy, 80s vintage, street art, leopard print, and seaskin print. Garment manufacturers know that patterned clothing outfits look best when created thoughtfully and in a way that brings the designs to life.
Garment Manufacturers Choose the Fabric
The fabric type and color scheme the garment manufacturers choose will influence how the design will look once it’s printed onto the fabric. For example, if a trendy vibrant, bold color scheme is chosen, it might require a thicker, more durable fabric to hold up to the colors. If a muted color scheme is chosen, then lighter fabrics may work better.
When designing fabric for apparel, one of the most important steps is selecting the right fabric. Different fabrics can create drastically different looks and effects, so it’s important to consider which type of fabric will best bring a design to life.
For example, if designing a dress, you may want to choose a fabric that is lightweight and flowy, like chiffon or silk. These fabrics have a soft and elegant drape that will create an eye-catching garment. On the other hand, if you’re designing a T-shirt, you may want to choose a heavier and more durable fabric, such as cotton or linen. These fabrics are easy to care for and won’t wrinkle as easily, making them great for T-shirts.
When choosing the fabric to be printed with artwork, it’s important to consider how the fabric will move and how it will interact with the body. Fabrics that are too stiff or heavy may be uncomfortable to wear or move in, while fabrics that are too lightweight may not hold their shape very well. The garment manufacturers consider the different fabrics available and how they will look on the finished product before settling on the perfect one.
Fabric Manufacturers Apply the Artwork to The Fabric
Once the artwork has been licensed and the fabric is chosen, it’s time to add the artwork to the fabric. Depending on the type of fabric, there are several ways to accomplish this.
Screen printing is a popular choice, especially for T-shirts and tank tops. With this method, ink is pushed through a screen onto the fabric. The design is printed one color at a time until the desired effect is achieved.
Another popular method is embroidery. This technique involves threading yarn or another material into the fabric to create a raised 3D image. It’s often used for logos and more intricate designs.
Digital printing is also an option for certain fabrics. With digital printing, the design is directly printed onto the fabric with inks that bond to the fibers of the material. This is a great option for large, multi-colored prints.
No matter which method, adding artwork to fabric brings fashion designs to life!
Assembling the Garment
Once the fabric is printed with the artwork, it’s time to assemble the garment. Depending on the type of garment being made, the assembly process can vary. Garment pieces can be cut with scissors or a machine, then stitched together with either a machine or hand stitching. The artwork on the fabric is arranged during this process so that the garment looks how it was designed in the sketch.
When working with intricate designs and patterns, it’s important to make sure all of the details are in the correct place. This is why having an accurate sketch is so important - it makes the process of assembling the garment much easier. It can also help reduce waste due to mistakes that may be made.
Once the garment has been assembled, it’s ready for the final touches. This can include buttons, clasps, zippers and more. These small details can take a garment from basic to extraordinary!
Finishing Touches
Once the garment has been assembled, the garment manufacturer needs to give it a final approval. They must make sure that the design, fabric, and cut of the garment all meet the intended vision. Small changes can be made to perfect the look of the piece, such as adjusting seams, adding buttons or trim, or making sure the proportions are correct. Final touches can also include adding any additional embellishments, such as embroidery or beading, for a more personal touch.
This is how fabrics are created and turned into beautiful garments!
CREDITS:
Fabric Design: @daniellenelisse
Photographer: @descubramilao.it
Model: Brittney Baker in Milan, Italy (@brittneybakerphotographymaui)
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