Airess
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Develop a denim-based clothing collection for a plus-size or size-inclusive target market.
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There were so many steps to this semester-long project. My team first conducted research on our target market. We went to different stores to see what their plus-size collection was. Our team noticed that name brands were mainly focusing on fit and function which left aesthetics in the dust. We decided that we would create our womenswear brand around an ultra-feminine girl who expresses herself through her style.
After conducting more research on our target market, we started creating the vibe of the collection through mood boards and then pulled colors from them. Those colors would be the staple colors of the collection and reflect our girls’ personality. We were limited to working with fabrics that were made of 80% or more of cotton so we stuck with types of denim, chambray, cotton eyelet, and used satin as a trim.
Then, we began to sketch. We let the ideas flow and created 30 original designs. Ultimately, we had a critic pick 8 looks that we would develop flats and tech packs. We perfected our chosen looks down to the stitching which was tedious at times, but fun to watch our visions come to life on Adobe Illustrator and Clo 3D.
Once our collection was finalized, we created a full marketing plan. This was another area we could have fun and be creative. We mocked up packaging, a storefront, a pop-up truck, and more!
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The outcome of this project was positive. It was incredibly difficult at times because I was learning new skills and then immediately applying them to this project. However, that experience grew my skillset and expanded my knowledge about the fashion industry. I have a newfound respect for the professionals who develop clothing lines. There is so much hard work that goes into designing and developing a collection.