What do you think fashion
portfolios will look like in ten
years’ time?
As we have seen over the past
couple of years, the use of CAD
work has become much more
prevalent and is now widely
requested by the majority of clients.
Work created on the computer can
look amazing if done correctly; at the
moment it is best mixed with other
ways of rendering fabric and
presenting illustrations, combined
with hand-drawn work. I think CAD
packages are becoming ever more
sophisticated in terms of the effects
that can be created, ease of use,
and how realistic the final images
look; this will continue at a fast pace.
In ten years’ time the majority of,
if not all, portfolios will be created
using CAD. Sadly, this may further
contribute to the loss of traditional
methods of hand drawing and
illustration. Following on from the last
question, I think that the traditional
way of presenting work in a solid
portfolio will die out and most
designers will present electronic
portfolios. Technology will have
moved on so much that I’m sure
there will be easier and slicker ways
for candidates to present their work.
Fashion drawing encompasses a vibrant and diverse visual
vocabulary. We have taken an introductory journey from its
beginnings in the 19th century to the variety of styles and
applications that constitute fashion drawing in the early 21st century.
It is clear that both fashion and drawing continue to be shaped by
an evolving aesthetic, by technological advances in computer
graphics and by the practical requirements of the fashion industry.
Fashion drawing enables us to define and redefine the way that we
see others and ourselves. While drawing remains a practical means
for generating or communicating an idea, it should also allow us to
dream and to imagine what we want to share with others. Fashion
drawing may therefore be considered as a journey of self-discovery
that is fed by our imagination and ideas and refined with regular
practice. It is important to practise drawing in order to be able to
confidently express ideas and test the boundaries.
Of course, it has only been possible to include a select number of
drawings by contemporary designers and illustrators in this book,
alongside examples by talented students who are setting out on
their careers, but their work offers us a slice of contemporary
fashion practice. A number of insightful interviews has helped
us to understand the motivations and inspirations behind a range
of different approaches to fashion drawing and illustration. I hope
this book has stimulated your interest in fashion drawing and that
it will inspire you to draw.