Fashion illustration

Prepared by Selemun G.

3rd Year Fashion Design

Semester I – 20016 E.C
 Fashion Silhouettes
Silhouettes refers to the outline or shape of a garment. It's the line that your eye follows when
you first look at an outfit. It’s the basic structure that gives a garment its form, setting the mood
and style.
 Types of fashion silhouettes
• Just like there's a rainbow of colors in fashion, there's also a wide range
of silhouettes. Each silhouette in fashion has its unique charm and mood.
The most common fashion silhouettes
 A-Line Silhouette
 Ball Gown Silhouette
 Column or Sheath Silhouette
 Empire Waist Silhouette
 Mermaid Silhouette
 Hourglass Silhouette
 asymmetrical silhouette
 Symmetrical
 TRAPEZE
• A-Line Silhouette
• Named after its shape that resembles the letter 'A', this
silhouette is narrow at the top and flares out towards the
bottom. A-line dresses and skirts are classic examples.
They're flattering on most body types and are a go-to
choice for many fashion lovers.
• Ball Gown Silhouette
This silhouette features a fitted bodice and a
wide, full skirt. Commonly seen in formal
wear and wedding dresses.
• Column or Sheath Silhouette

This silhouette is straight from

top to bottom, similar to a
column. It lightly skims the body,
creating a sleek and elegant look.
It's a popular choice for cocktail
dresses and office wear.
• Empire Waist Silhouette

The empire waist silhouette

features a raised waistline that sits
just below the bust, with a loose-
fitting skirt that flows down from
there. It's a flattering choice for
those who wish to emphasize
their bust and downplay their
lower body.
Mermaid Silhouette
• Like the mythical creature it's named after, this
silhouette is fitted on the top and through the
waist and hips, then flares out at or below the
knee. It's a glamorous choice for evening wear
and is often seen on red carpets.
 Hourglass Silhouette
What is hourglass silhouette in
fashion?
• The hourglass shape is
defined by a woman's body
measurements- the
circumference of the bust,
waist and hips. Hourglass
body shapes have a wide
bust, a narrow waist, and
wide hips with a similar
measurement to that of the
bust.
• What is an asymmetrical silhouette?
The asymmetrical dress characteristic is the diagonal hemline or
neckline, with the most common design featuring a one-shoulder bodice.
• What is a symmetrical fashion design?
Symmetrical Balance: Symmetrical or Formal
Balance uses two identical objects on either side of
the design, such as patch pockets of equal size.
• What is TRAPEZE shape in fashion?
A TRAPEZE dress is a dress style that is narrow at
the shoulders and very wide at the hem of the dress.
It's like an A-LINE dress, but the TRAPEZE dress
has a much wider hem than the A-LINE, and they
often end below the knee
 Fabric awareness
There are mainly three types of
fabrics Natural Fabric, Synthetic
Fabrics, and Semi-Synthetic
Fabrics but there is too much to
read about them.
A fabric is a substance or product
made either by knitting, weaving,
or crocheting that can be applied
in the manufacturing of clothing,
home decor, or accessories.
Whereas, a textile is a material
that has been made of interlacing
different fibers
 Transparent fabric
Sheer fabric is any type of fabric that is see-
through, or transparent. Unlike opaque
materials, sheer cloth does not hide your body
from view. It offers little protection against
cold which makes it an extremely popular
choice for women's summer clothing,
underwear and lingerie.
 Translucent
The difference is between transparent fabrics and
translucent ones. Transparent fabrics might include glass
that are so clear you can see through them as if there’s
almost nothing there. Things that are translucent allow
light through but with significant diffusion or distortion.
Most clothes would therefore better be described as
translucent.
Fabric drapability
• Drape is the term used to describe the way a fabric hangs under its own weight.
Fabric drapability is an important factor from an aesthetic point of view. The
quality of 'drape' is important to a designer as it influences a garment's appearance.
• What are the characteristics of drape fabrics?
• A fabric with high drape will be flowy, meaning that is hangs in small creases and
clings. Silk, satin and chiffon usually have high drape. On the other hand, a
fabric with low drape is stiff and hangs wider and holds its shape more. Denim,
corduroy and upholstery fabric have low drape.
What are the advantages of drape?
It is an essential step in fashion designing as it helps get the perfect fit and shape for
garments. Draping is one of the oldest methods of garment construction, and it
started as a way to fit clothing around the body without using patterns. It was an
easy and convenient way to get the perfect fit for garments.
What is flat drawing in fashion?

What's a Flat Sketch? Technical fashion

flats. A flat sketch is a two-dimensional
technical drawing that illustrates a garment
with basic solid lines. It's like a "blueprint"
of your fashion design —much like an
architect's blueprint for a house before they
can begin to construct it
Why is flat sketch important in
fashion?
A Flat Sketch, also called flat drawing and
technical flat in the fashion industry is a black
and white fashion technical drawing of a
garment as if were laid flat to show all seams,
topstitching, hardware, and design details.
This helps both designer and the patternmaker
throughout the entire garment making process.
Short sleeve Polo shirt
Drawing Flat sketch front and back
view
 Fashion sketching
Why is sketching important in fashion?
• To communicate a designer's vision and ideas
to others. Sketches are used to convey the
shape, structure, and silhouette of a garment,
as well as details such as texture, color, and
pattern
Fashion illustration is the art of
communicating fashion ideas in a visual
form through the use of drawing tools or
design-based software programs. It is
mainly used by fashion designers to
brainstorm their ideas on paper or digitally.