The Fashion Designer's Directory of Shape and Style: Over 500 Mix-and-Match Elements for Creative Clothing Design

Both students of fashion design and professionals in the field will find valuable inspiration in this profusely illustrated idea book. More than 1,200 detailed illustrations provide the building blocks for designing imaginative and original clothing. The opening section serves as a photo-illustrated catalog of basic shapes for:

*Sleeves * Necklines * Hems * Pockets * Ties and Fastenings * Collars * Cuffs *Waistbands *Embellishments (lace, appliquque, etc.)

The book's second and main section combines photos and fashion illustrations to present unique and original design ideas for all of the above-noted clothing parts. Sixteen original designs per page are sketched in a grid format, according to intended use: casual, formal, special occasion, and essential. The drawings are cross-referenced according to suggested fabrics for construction. A gatefold flap inside the book presents an outline human figure to guide designers in mixing and matching garment parts. The book's final section, titled "Taking It Further," shows how to find additional inspiration from outside sources, for instance from architectural details, or the graphic designs of the 1960s Op Art movement, or the dress designs of the 1930s. Readers will also find inventive ideas for using specialty fabrics, including silk, organza, and suede. Color photos and illustrations on every page.

Customer Reviews:

Great resource for brainstorming!

By N Bowers "Xenophile" - October 3, 2009

I bought this book about a year ago and refer to it often when I'm trying to come up with a new design or if I feel like altering something I already have. The book is split up into sections (collars, sleeves, closures, etc) and shows both color photos and drawings of each clothing component.

This book will not teach you how to construct or alter patterns for the pieces you see! It is merely a reference book of many shapes and styles for the clothes we wear everyday. This book would've been top notch if it included menswear shapes, but alas, it's only for the ladies.

Perfect for entry-level Fashion Designer

By CSL "CSL" - December 14, 2008

While Project Runway has been an inspiration to many, the world of fashion design does require talent. The Fashion Designer's Directory of Shape and Style is a great book for a person seeking to really begin to understand design and fashion.

If you're a person who loves to experiment with changing clothing patterns or making your own, this book will get you thinking and playing with fabric and new designs. You could design a whole new look for yourself!

A must have for the aspiring designer!

By Fashion Frenchie - October 26, 2009

I teach fashion design and construction to high school students and actually ordered this book as a resource for my students. After it arrived and I really got to peruse it, I strongly recommended each of them to purchase the book. It is a steal! The silhouettes, sleeve types, skirt types, etc. are all crucial elements for designers to mix and match--just like the title implies! It includes the muse, your inspiration boards, presenting a collection, etc. I strongly recommend it.