The Elements of Fashion Design

Color #1 Color Color is very important in fashion design, and there are countless different color schemes. Color affects mood and the illusion of height,weight and balance

In fashion, neutral colors play a big role because they can be worn with anything, making them good wardrobe- building colors. Dark colors can make a woman look thinner and thus look taller, a desirable effect for petite women.

Accented Neutral Color Scheme

Because of differences in complexion and hair color, some colors will flatter certain women and not others. To make this design element work hard, a woman should know and wear her most flattering colors, and avoid colors that don't look good on her.

#2 Silhoutte I n other types of design, shape and form are considered elements; in fashion design, shape and form amount to the silhouette of a garment and/or a fashion accessory item. Popular silhouettes in fashion change over time. A garment's shape or cut has a great deal to do with whether or not a particular clothing item flatters the person who is wearing it.

For example, in the early 1900s, the ideal silhouette consisted of a pigeon- breasted figure with the bust jutting forward and the hips thrust backward.

In the 1920s, a boyish, flat-chested shape was favored.

Today's most desirable silhouette is an hourglass shape.

Body Types

#3 Line There are many instances of lines in fashion design. The creation of a garment means that there will be seam lines to hold fabric sections together, the outline of a garment's silhouette is another line, and lines in the fabric, which make up various patterns, must also be considered. Lines in any of these cases can be straight or curved.

Vertical seam lines and pattern lines that run vertically will flatter a petite woman more than horizontal lines. It creates the illusion of height.

# 4 Texture Texture is another element of fashion design. Fabric or other materials, such as trims and findings for clothing and accessories, can have a variety of textures, all of which can affect the look of a garment or fashion accessory. The weave and texture of a fabric have an impact on the way it drapes, which, in turn, affects the way a garment looks when it is worn.

Asymmetrical lines, such as chevron-striped fabric in a garment can also be flattering to a short woman, depending on their placement.