American Academy of Fashion Design Blog

How to set up your sewing machine

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Your sewing machine is a vital piece of equipment and plays a major part in your creative toolkit as a fashion designer. Not only must designers imagine and visualise beautiful designs, but they must also possess the technical know-how to make those concepts a reality. Every budding fashion designer should have a solid understanding of how to set up and operate a sewing machine. To make sure you're prepared to start your fashion journey, this blog will walk you through the crucial steps of setting up your sewing machine.

How to create a mood board

Sun, 16 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0100

When it comes to designing a new collection, one of the most important parts of the design process is the development of a mood board. Creating a mood board helps to explore the tone, gathers research on the latest trends and gives the designer inspiration for their own collection. So where should you start?

Idea generation techniques

Tue, 10 May 2022 00:00:00 +0100

Whether it is a big project or a small personal task, generating ideas and keeping track of them is a helpful way to achieve your vision.

Best Fashion Design books for inspiration

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0100

At a glance, fashion seems superficial, but looking just a little deeper, you can see that it's more than a pretty dress on a pretty girl. Fashion is serious business and has historically captured the Zeitgeist of every era. On the catwalks of the fashion capitals and on the streets of cities and towns across the world, fashion says who we are and where we're at.

Meet the Tutor: Patricia Gomes

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0000

In this blog, tutor and professional fashion designer Patricia Gomes tells what got her interested in fashion design, why she enjoys passing her knowledge and passion to her students and shares her professional advice.

Fashion collage: how to generate design ideas

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0100

A collage is a piece of art made by sticking different materials such as photographs and pieces of paper or fabric onto a backing. Designers have used fashion collages for years, and the technique can have a greater visual impact than a simple photograph or drawing.

Second Chances: Renovate your Wardrobe Instead of Buying New

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0100

Whether you’re on a limited budget, want to reduce landfill waste, or both, renovating your existing wardrobe instead of buying a new one is easier than you think. A good wardrobe is a must-have for many, and we tend to invest in new clothes without taking stock of what’s already hanging in our closets. You can resist the temptation by giving your wardrobe an economical but fun fashion facelift.

Designing your fashion portfolio

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0000

What materials do I need when starting my course?

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0000

What materials will I have to buy? Where can I get them? How much will they cost? These are common questions asked by students and in this post I will provide you with some tips to stop you from spending more than you need to.

Eco-friendly fashion: sustainable alternatives

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0100

Recycle consumer waste to make clothes

Believe it or not, plastic waste can be made into clothes! There are a number of environmentally conscious brands out there doing just that, including Batoko who make their swimwear from plastic bottles. The plastic is cleaned, melted and spun into yarn to make garments. With an estimated 8 million metric tonnes of plastic being dumped into the ocean each year these forward-thinking small brands are leading the way when it comes to making fashion more sustainable.

Image source: Batoko.

"We believe that upcycling and recycling waste into products and tools that are useful, valuable and reusable could play a huge part in the clean-up and overall reduction of waste pollution going forward. Recycling may not save the planet, but when done in a considered way, it is one of many solutions we can utilise." - Batoko.

If you would like to look at sustainability and what steps can be taken to lessen the pollution of the fashion cycle or to create innovative and experimental sustainable clothing, have a look at our Fashion Design courses.

References:

1. https://apparelcoalition.org/

2. https://www.worldwildlife.org/

3. https://oceanconservancy.org/

How to Identify your Fashion Target Market

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0100

How COVID-19 is affecting designers

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0100

New landscape, new opportunities to change

Flat Pattern vs. 3D Pattern Cutting

Mon, 04 May 2020 00:00:00 +0100

The Benefits of Online Learning

Sat, 28 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0000

The world at your fingertips

The beauty of online learning is the choices that you are presented with. You can study any subject, and study it anywhere in the world. Studying online means you no longer have to worry about class locations, which allows you to really focus on Fashion Design and choose from a variety of courses we offer.

When enrolling in one of our Fashion Design courses, you will get a personal Tutor who will give you detailed feedback and guide you through your course with us, all in the distance of a click.

Our online courses allow you to review course materials repeatedly through our Online Learning Centre platform, where you can access materials such as videos and reinforce concepts and theory. The platform is bespoke too and easy to navigate for everyone. Also, our Online Learning Centre allows you to exchange ideas or share your projects with your peers and contact Tutors or Student Services team, in case you are having any issue during your course.

An Introduction To Freelancing Roles Within The Fashion World

Tue, 26 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0000

In a previous blog we looked at some senior roles that are pivotal to the success of a fashion label. In this blog, we'll take a look at different roles in relation to working freelance in the fashion industry.

Meg Parry Studio Opens its Doors

Thu, 06 Jun 2019 00:00:00 +0100

Our tutor Meg Parry is the founder and Creative Director of Meg Parry Studio, a fashion design and production hub. The studio recently hosted an open studio independent event as part of the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival 2019.

New Rules for Tulle

Thu, 16 May 2019 00:00:00 +0100

Traditionally reserved for wedding veils and tutus, tulle is having a contemporary revival. Across the board - from high street to haute couture - designers are interpreting tulle in new ways. From romantic and rebellious to delicate and demure. Even paired with slogan tees and trainers in a new athleisure aesthetic.

Emily Houghton: Fashion Designer In The Making

Mon, 13 May 2019 00:00:00 +0100

We caught up with one of our fashion design students, Emily Houghton, to find out about her interest in fashion design, what it's like to be student on the course and her plans for the future.

How to predict fashion trends

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 00:00:00 +0100

Trend prediction agencies are a branch of the fashion design industry and their role is to support the fashion designer in the initial and developmental stages of their collections. Trend researcher’s use data from a wide range of sources to compile a seasonal trend report.

Fashion brands taking action on sustainability

Wed, 23 Jan 2019 00:00:00 +0000

The growing trend for recycling ocean waste and turning it into fashion is, according to The Future Laboratory* researcher Rachael Stott, "a definite Blue Planet effect. The [TV] series reached and impacted millions of people and highlighted how our everyday habits as consumers were causing horrific damage to wildlife and the ocean, and in particular our resilience of single-use plastics."

3 Ways Designers Decide the Fit of the Clothes You Wear

Wed, 24 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0100

Have you ever wondered why you easily fit into trousers in one store and can’t squeeze into the same size in another? With so many different body shapes to cater for, how do designers decide the sizing fit of a collection?

Getting Started with Fashion Illustration

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0100

It can be difficult to identify what makes a good fashion illustration. It could be the confidence of a line, an unexpected approach, a bold colour scheme, or even a fascinating background. Whatever your style, try these seven suggestions to improve your fashion illustration skills.

An introduction to senior roles in the fashion industry

Wed, 11 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0100

When you imagine working in fashion your first thought may be a glamorous life and unlimited wardrobe. But before you get to all of that, you need to decide what role you’ll play. Let’s explore some of the key roles within the fashion world.

A history of feminist fashion

Mon, 30 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0100

Feminism is defined as “the advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes.” Throughout the history of feminism, women have used fashion as a tool to both highlight gender inequality and define for themselves what it means to be a woman. As a result, fashion has been heavily influenced by this movement. This blog looks at the timeline of feminism and the accompanying changes in fashion trends.

The power of style in an influencer's world

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +0100

The world we live in is slowly becoming populated by influencers. Who are they? What do they do? Who has decided that they can inform us what is stylish or in fashion? In this blog, I'm going to answer these questions and tell you why style is more powerful than influence.

The high-end fashion store - a primary fashion resource

Thu, 15 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +0000

As a fashion student, a visit to a high-end store can be very educational and is one of the easiest ways to enjoy primary access to designer brands. You will get amazing inspiration and become informed about lots of different aspects of the fashion industry. This blog will give you some tips about what to focus on during your next trip.

Taking Inspiration from the Best in Fashion

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

As the Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London comes to a close next month, I’ve been reflecting on how this world-renowned designer has inspired me and other designers.

The importance of design research

Wed, 22 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0000

The creative industries survive on the ability to generate ideas that excel and innovate. Nowhere is this more true than in the world of fashion. In order to succeed as a designer, you need to have an in-depth knowledge of the market and be able to make informed predictions about future trends. Research is fundamental to this and is a key element of all stages of the design process.

Create a mannequin of yourself based on your own measurements

Thu, 12 Oct 2017 00:00:00 +0100

One of the biggest challenges when making clothes for yourself is to get the fit and sizing correct. A good solution is to use a mannequin based on your own body measurements. This will allow you to be more accurate with sizing as you will see how the garment might sit on your body. This blog will demonstrate how you can make an inexpensive mannequin based on your own measurements.

Upcycle your clothes and be festival-ready (Part 2)

Wed, 13 Sep 2017 00:00:00 +0100

This is the second blog in our series on upcycling old clothes. In this blog, I will show you how to upcycle a shirt to a strapless top.

Upcycle your clothes and be festival-ready (Part 1)

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 00:00:00 +0100

Music festivals are a fantastic opportunity to have some fun and experiment with your outfits. While the fashion stakes might be high, it’s a good idea not to spend too much money on your festival clothes as they might not survive the experience! This is where upcycling can really help you out. In this blog, I’ll show you how you can upcycle some of your old clothes into fun new pieces for festival season.

Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion

Tue, 01 Aug 2017 00:00:00 +0100

I recently visited the “Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion” exhibition at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A). The exhibition gives a fascinating insight into the life and legacy of the legendary Spanish couturier Cristobal Balenciaga and showcases more than one hundred pieces of his work.