Principles of Fashion Design

Designing is a matter of mixing known elements in new and exciting ways in order to create fresh combinations and up-to-date products.  The main and most important elements in fashion design are silhouette, line and texture.  Ways in which these elements can be used are known in the fashion world as principles and consist of:  repetition, rhythm, graduation, radiation, contrast, harmony, balance and proportion.  Use of these elements, or variants, causes a response – sometimes very strong, sometimes subliminal – in the observer or in the wearer. 

To understand and control these responses is essential in good designing.  It is not always clear why one design works where another does not.  Sometimes the response can be one of sheer utter distaste or shock.  However, the element of shock can be seen as a positive in the fashion clothing world. To be able to be articulate and have the ability to analyse what is happening with a garment allows correction, amplification and development of the design. 

While a great deal of exciting design occurs through complete accident, it is an enormous advantage to be able to reflect on the work carried out, an to be able to explain what is intentional and to gauge how close, as a designer, you are to achieving your desired result.  It is extremely important  to have an awareness of the elements and principles of design which will also help you to evaluate other designer’s strengths and to spot trends and changes in the market.  Some fashion design colleges will teach the elements and principles in a formal way, whilst others will bring them into some project work or allow you to discover and experiment with them yourself without instruction.

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