Fashion Design Drawing

Variety in the garment must not be overdone, as it will tend to destroy the sense of refinement.

Style must be expressed by the taste and skill of the artist, and must include aesthetic and practical fitness.

In the matter of ornamentation, there are many suggestions to be obtained from Nature. Rosettes of ribbons in various styles can be formed to represent flowers, butterfly wings, sheaths of leaves, etc. In arranging for an embroidered design the range of patterns is infinite. Artists, past and present, of every nation have used plant form extensively for decorations, and it should be noted that the Persian, Egyptian, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Roman, Celtic, Saracenic, etc., each have their particular representation of the plant form.

If any special style is to be incorporated in the design of a garment a visit to the museum or consultation of a reference book is necessary. Types must conform with their purposes and methods of production. A coarse material must not be designed in the manner of a delicate fabric.

A great variety of materials is at the artist's disposal. Heavy plaids, cashmeres, reps, alpacas, etc., also light and soft textures suitable for winding draperies, such as crepes, foulards, voiles, chiffons, organdies, and larmes mingled with silver and gold.

These varieties are being constantly supplemented by the manufacturer, and the designer should continually keep in touch with new productions.

It should be understood that beautiful fines can be introduced by the fall of flowing drapery caught at different

points of suspension. A broad crushed girdle opening out into a long wide train has a graceful radiating effect.

In tailor-made garments or sports wear the lines of grace will be found in the right proportion of one line to another, and in the contrast of its line of direction to the whole, the comparative tone values being kept in harmonious relation.

Comparison of Line (Plate 69).

The " line " of a garment is the most important consideration, for " shape " in any object will always attract the eye first.

The silhouettes of several different styles of the past have been shown in this plate (see also Plate 68), showing how changeable fashion has been, and these will also serve for comparison. The figure has been shown throughout to indicate the proportion of garment to figure.

Before a design is begun, attention must be given to the needs of the garment, so that the " fine " can be made applicable.