Blue Is the New Black: The 10 Step Guide to Developing and Producing a Fashion Collection

Fabrics (or yarns and textiles) are very important to the feeling of the concept. Most concepts are first presented in the form of a handful of fabric pieces. They provide a tangible expression of the feeling you want to convey

A concept is a design direction for the shape, colour, mood and fabric for any fashion collection, and is created at the beginning of the season. It creates the mood of the collection and is always open to different interpretations. The initial idea first needs to be analysed carefully and translated into something that people can actually look at, and that can set out the direction of the collection.

Around 10 weeks into the process, the developer can start putting technical packs together. The technical packs are detailed documents that tell the factory exactly what the garments should look like. They contain a sketch, info about fabric and colour, a measurement chart, and details of the buttons, labels and threads for each of the garments designed.
The technical packs are handed over to the factories so they can make prototypes of the garments. The chapter on development and production information flow will discuss both information tools, but also production planning, and will explain when and how the development matrix eventually turns into the line list.

In short, the designer designs the collection, the developer is the link between the designer and the factory, the production coordinator makes sure the collection is made and delivered, and the merchandiser is in charge of the financial part of the business.

It is your job to notice the flaw in the fabric, the shade difference in a colour, or the fact that on a sample one sleeve is longer than the other