My product in response to my goal, context and criteria
My goal was to design and create a clothing collection containing 8 to 9 designs, which would be presented to a pop-up event company. The steps leading up to a finalised collection begun by creating a mood board and came to an end by receiving the prototypes. The separate steps were very time consuming and included many other parts to them which are explained in further detail in process journal entry 5. Moreover, after being successful at the event I decided to extend my project by executing a photoshoot with a model to make a look book for my collection (refer to final product page).
When my clothing line was prepared and my product for this project was completed, it directly fit into the global context of personal and cultural expression. Through the separate designs in my collection, I was able to express myself in different ways, by using the tools of fabric, shapes, lines, and colours. When I was designing and sketching the pieces, I had different visions which would portray the buyer in a specific way. For example, a common theme in all my designs was confidence. Confidence is very important for me, and I think that a lot of people hesitate to wear outfits which are not in their comfort zone, and is not basic. Many people around me inspire me to become more confident and express myself through what I wear. Through creating my own line I extended my creativity and revealed my emotions and beliefs regarding how a woman should look using the art of fashion design.
In the process of creating and launching the clothing collection I constantly referred back to my criteria. The basics to the criteria were that the designs should be: innovative and original, 40 out of 50 pieces should be sold, my technical and conceptual sketches should demonstrate superb artistic ability and lastly, the tailoring of the clothes should be high quality. To test the originality of my designs I received feedback from my customers and also specific feedback from my expert Alev (the results can be viewed in process journal entry 9). The manufacturing quality was assessed by 3 tests (process journal entry 9).
Thinking & Communication skills
Every step of this project was something new that I have not yet attempted to achieve before, therefore I encountered different types of problems which I had to overcome by employing my thinking and communicating skills. The first top that was sent to me and I tried it on and it was too tight, especially on the arms. The measurements were not correct and had to be re-indicated. I did not have a lot of time, and this problem had to be solved very quickly in order to be ready for the shopping event. My first response was to refer back to my investigation stage and research potential measurements to use (for more detail refer to process journal #8). I talked with the tailor and we arranged new size charts. The tops were remade and eventually fit very well. This problem would have taken a lot longer to solve, if I hadn't researched this subject in my investigation stage and thought quickly and critically. Other than the sizing, the design of the bodysuit was not able to be made properly which I explain in process journal entry 8. In order to solve the issue, I was required to generate various ideas and contact a different tailor to work something out. My communication skills advanced as I contacted new tailors and worked with them in order to generate ideas and solutions.
Through the process of developing my clothing line, and selling my collection at a shopping event, I learned and improved various skills. Firstly, a part of my goal was to learn basic tailoring skills which is essential for every fashion designer. In the workshop the tailors who made the pieces for the clothing collection were very nice to me and gave me two separate lessons on learning how to sew professionally. At first it was very difficult and I didn't necessarily enjoy the process because I understood that sewing and creating clothes from only a piece of fabric is an extremely complicated course, with many small details to pay attention to. Through two short lessons I was definitely able to gain a lot of information and learn a skill that I was approaching for the first time. On the other hand, I also improved a prior skill that I was not that good at, which is communication. My project required an abundance of communication with professionals and businesses around me, which was an ongoing personal challenge. To successfully follow through with my plan and achieve a favourable outcome, I was obligated to contact workshops, manufacture companies, shopping events, and businesspeople. Towards the end of this project I became more confident and was able to talk with people comfortably. This was a very rewarding achievement for me, because I believe that having great communication skills is a trait that will help me throughout my whole life.
Feedback from experts
My expert Didem was extremely supportive and a great teacher who taught me everything I needed to know about opening my own business and joining a shopping event. We met 3 times, had one phone call, and several email and message exchanges which can be seen in my process journal entry 9. In order to join the shopping event with my collection I had to meet with the brand selection group of the company and present my label. When I met with Didem we prepared a presentation to present to the company. She gave me essential advice regarding the points I should include and how I should speak. In another meeting, we discussed the requirements for joining this pop-up event, and how I needed to indicate the prices for the clothes. Conversely, my second expert Alev Behar, advised me on the quality of my designs, and creativity of my clothing line. She assessed my designs, gave me input on my sketches and also suggested tips on how to improve my fashion illustrations. The information I gained and learned through the process of achieving my outcome has solved many problems for me. In process journal entry 10, I explain how I have transferred the information given through communicating with my experts to further improve and asses my outcome.
To see the different aspects to my outcome view: Final Product page
My goal was to design and create a clothing collection containing 8 to 9 designs, which would be presented to a pop-up event company. The steps leading up to a finalised collection begun by creating a mood board and came to an end by receiving the prototypes. The separate steps were very time consuming and included many other parts to them which are explained in further detail in process journal entry 5. Moreover, after being successful at the event I decided to extend my project by executing a photoshoot with a model to make a look book for my collection (refer to final product page).
When my clothing line was prepared and my product for this project was completed, it directly fit into the global context of personal and cultural expression. Through the separate designs in my collection, I was able to express myself in different ways, by using the tools of fabric, shapes, lines, and colours. When I was designing and sketching the pieces, I had different visions which would portray the buyer in a specific way. For example, a common theme in all my designs was confidence. Confidence is very important for me, and I think that a lot of people hesitate to wear outfits which are not in their comfort zone, and is not basic. Many people around me inspire me to become more confident and express myself through what I wear. Through creating my own line I extended my creativity and revealed my emotions and beliefs regarding how a woman should look using the art of fashion design.
In the process of creating and launching the clothing collection I constantly referred back to my criteria. The basics to the criteria were that the designs should be: innovative and original, 40 out of 50 pieces should be sold, my technical and conceptual sketches should demonstrate superb artistic ability and lastly, the tailoring of the clothes should be high quality. To test the originality of my designs I received feedback from my customers and also specific feedback from my expert Alev (the results can be viewed in process journal entry 9). The manufacturing quality was assessed by 3 tests (process journal entry 9).
Thinking & Communication skills
Every step of this project was something new that I have not yet attempted to achieve before, therefore I encountered different types of problems which I had to overcome by employing my thinking and communicating skills. The first top that was sent to me and I tried it on and it was too tight, especially on the arms. The measurements were not correct and had to be re-indicated. I did not have a lot of time, and this problem had to be solved very quickly in order to be ready for the shopping event. My first response was to refer back to my investigation stage and research potential measurements to use (for more detail refer to process journal #8). I talked with the tailor and we arranged new size charts. The tops were remade and eventually fit very well. This problem would have taken a lot longer to solve, if I hadn't researched this subject in my investigation stage and thought quickly and critically. Other than the sizing, the design of the bodysuit was not able to be made properly which I explain in process journal entry 8. In order to solve the issue, I was required to generate various ideas and contact a different tailor to work something out. My communication skills advanced as I contacted new tailors and worked with them in order to generate ideas and solutions.
Through the process of developing my clothing line, and selling my collection at a shopping event, I learned and improved various skills. Firstly, a part of my goal was to learn basic tailoring skills which is essential for every fashion designer. In the workshop the tailors who made the pieces for the clothing collection were very nice to me and gave me two separate lessons on learning how to sew professionally. At first it was very difficult and I didn't necessarily enjoy the process because I understood that sewing and creating clothes from only a piece of fabric is an extremely complicated course, with many small details to pay attention to. Through two short lessons I was definitely able to gain a lot of information and learn a skill that I was approaching for the first time. On the other hand, I also improved a prior skill that I was not that good at, which is communication. My project required an abundance of communication with professionals and businesses around me, which was an ongoing personal challenge. To successfully follow through with my plan and achieve a favourable outcome, I was obligated to contact workshops, manufacture companies, shopping events, and businesspeople. Towards the end of this project I became more confident and was able to talk with people comfortably. This was a very rewarding achievement for me, because I believe that having great communication skills is a trait that will help me throughout my whole life.
Feedback from experts
My expert Didem was extremely supportive and a great teacher who taught me everything I needed to know about opening my own business and joining a shopping event. We met 3 times, had one phone call, and several email and message exchanges which can be seen in my process journal entry 9. In order to join the shopping event with my collection I had to meet with the brand selection group of the company and present my label. When I met with Didem we prepared a presentation to present to the company. She gave me essential advice regarding the points I should include and how I should speak. In another meeting, we discussed the requirements for joining this pop-up event, and how I needed to indicate the prices for the clothes. Conversely, my second expert Alev Behar, advised me on the quality of my designs, and creativity of my clothing line. She assessed my designs, gave me input on my sketches and also suggested tips on how to improve my fashion illustrations. The information I gained and learned through the process of achieving my outcome has solved many problems for me. In process journal entry 10, I explain how I have transferred the information given through communicating with my experts to further improve and asses my outcome.
To see the different aspects to my outcome view: Final Product page