How To Draw Clothes: Using Croquis As A Fashion Design

It's a common misconception that fashion designers must bе good artists. Especially wіth thе internet aѕ a resource, there are lots of creative shortcuts. Even the worst artist сan learn hоw tо draw clothes.

One оf thеѕe design shortcuts іѕ called a "croqui." A croqui іѕ аn outline оf а naked person uѕed by fashion designers to sketch their clothing ideas onto. There are croquis fоr essentially every type of human body: male models, female models, petite, plus-size, child, baby, etc.

The definition оf croquis iѕ French аnd means "lifesaver." Fashion croquis cаn literally save a wannabe designer when hе or ѕhe dоеsn't have thе drawing skills tо keеp uр with the professionals. There аre free croquis available wіth just a quick search оn Google images.

If уou wаnt to turn your sketches up a notch, then thеre are special croquis to dо that too. You cаn learn hоw tо draw clothes in a morе realistic way, uѕіng model croquis thаt show thе lay and twist of the fabric аnd thе human-like bends of thе body. These аrе thе ѕаme type of fashion sketches уou wоuld ѕeе іn magazines, pinned uр behіnd thе actual sewn clothing sample.

Don't lеt аn artistic hindrance deter уоu frоm fоllоwing your dream tо beсome a designer. When we started designing our оwn clothing line we lived and breathed croquis. We used them tо practice drawing clothes, аnd we sаw improvements іn оur sketches еvеrу day. Croquis saved uѕ when wе started designing clothes and thеу cаn save уou too.

Fashion Jobs and Fashion Career Advice

Picking one out of many fashion jobs generally is an overwhelming challenge. There are several different opportunities in the fashion industry that you might not be sure which one is best for you. With the high demand for fashion jobs, you need to be sure of what it is that you want to do so you can get started on pursuing your dream in this competitive industry. Below you will find descriptions for several fashion jobs and, subsequently, be one step closer to establishing your career in the fashion industry.

1. Fashion Designer

Thanks to shows like Project Runway, there are many people whose curiosity has been rose towards the fashion industry, exclusively, fashion design. A career as a fashion designer seems extravagant and rewarding but it takes a whole lot of work. A fashion designer must be well-informed of the latest trends (and sometimes even be ahead of them) and have the creativity to conceptualize new designs. A fashion designer creates sketches, whether by hand or with computer-aided design (CAD) software, of their designs and must be familiar with fabrics and materials in order to create samples that show what the final product would look like. As a fashion designer you can specialize in clothing design, footwear or accessories. Fashion jobr like that of a fashion designer are prolonged with grueling hours of intensive work and lots of traveling if you want to promote your designs. Fashion designers work under pressure to meet deadlines and make an impression on fashion buyers and other potential clients. As a fashion designer you would need not only talent and creativity but also thick skin and dedication.


2. Fashion Merchandising

Fashion jobs in merchandising can be very challenging. A fashion merchandiser must know what consumers really want, how to present it to them, what they want to pay for it and how to lure them to purchase. A fashion merchandiser is not just an expert in fashion but must also have strong business, financial and advertising skills. As a fashion designer you might find yourself creating budgets, tracking profits and losses, tracking inventory, developing marketing strategies and even putting together creative visual displays to draw in consumers. It's a career that entails many different roles but also has many opportunities to grow and advance in.

3. Fashion Buyer

Fashion buyers are among the most crucial people for brands and companies. They must have good communication skills, be aggressive, organized and driven. As a fashion buyer you work hand in hand with designers, merchandisers and other key people to select what pieces to present to consumers and ensure that best-sellers are continually available. Buyers must be mindful of both current and future trends so they can make the right choices of clothing, shoes, accessories, etc. to ensure high profits. Working with suppliers to negotiate prices suggests that a fashion buyer must have good interpersonal skills, be educated in market costs and also in consumer demands. Fashion buyers must be ready to work under pressure, travel and research and analyze in order to make practical decisions on what products to offer their target customer base.

4. Fashion Director

Fashion directors, also known as creative directors or fashion coordinators, are in charge of the image and look of a store, magazine or a fashion house. They are accountable for that first impression given when people look at ad campaigns, shoots and even fashion films. A fashion director must make sure that the models, photographers, location and concepts characterize the store, brand, or magazine in the best and most genuine way. One of the most well known creative directors in the industry is Grace Coddington who, alongside Anna Wintour and other industry professionals, are a part of American Vogue. In the documentary "The September Issue" we are able to see Coddington showing us her best work and the steps she takes to produce the magnificent spreads in Vogue. Now, don't think it will be a snap landing one of these fashion jobs. Be prepared for long hours of work, creative stumps, frequent traveling, crazy deadlines, and being willing to go back to the drawing board time and time again. Remember, as a fashion director you are responsible for the image of a brand; you produce something that the whole world will see. People will base their opinions on what you present to them. As one of the top fashion jobs in the industry, the pressure is on!

Fashion Jobs - The List Goes On

5. Fashion Forecaster

Probably one of the highest ranking careers in the fashion industry, fashion forecasters do just that, forecast the future trends and styles. This is much more sophisticated than forecasting the weather. Not only does a fashion forecaster need to have in depth knowledge of fashion but he or she must also be creative and surely have the skills necessary to research and analyze potential trends, colors, fabrics and patterns. Fashion forecasters seek inspiration in everything from movies, music, even science and technology. Getting a position as a fashion forecaster is one of the most prestigious of all fashion jobs you could aspire to.

6. Fashion Stylist

A fashion stylist has the easy (or is it?) task of making someone look good. A stylist must be familiar with what colors, fabrics and styles work best to flatter someone's shape while also knowing ways to accessorize and finish the perfect outfit. Fashion stylists are responsible for picking the best pieces for photoshoots, events, etc. and putting them together for the final product. A stylist's reputation lies on how good the client looks and, in the case of ad campaigns, whether or not the stylist can communicate the image and vision of a product. Don't be surprised if, as a fashion stylist, you find yourself traveling for motivation or shopping for clothing, or even spending a day (or a few) revamping a client's closet. Finding fashion jobs for stylists can be as uncomplicated as working as a personal shopper or styling photo shoots for websites or local magazines or newspapers.

7. Fashion Photographer

It's not just about knowing just how to take a good picture. Fashion photographers basically have two fields to be good at: fashion and photography. The photography part consists of knowing what angles, lighting, etc. As far as the fashion, photographers really need to be experts in that as well. A fashion photographer should always know what the best trends are, top designers, top fashion events and any other heavy hitter aspects of the industry. Fashion jobs in this field can consist of taking pictures for model portfolios, ad campaigns, and fashion shows. Fashion photographers are responsible for producing a shot that requires excellent technical skills and extensive fashion knowledge. For example, when a fashion photographer goes to shoot at a fashion show he or she must know exactly when to snap the shot of that model wearing the flowing dress. The picture must showcase how the fabric moves and flows instead of displaying a dress that falls limp and drags on the floor. A fashion photographer works hand in hand with stylists, makeup artists and models to ensure that the final product is efficient in sending a visual message.

8. Fashion Editor

Fashion editors supervise the direction of a fashion publication, website and other media. They are in charge for editing a fashion writer's work, making suggestions, and researching the possibilities of future stories. Fashion writers must be aware of trends and classics to assure that coverage is provided for the target audience. A fashion editor works under the pressure of meeting deadlines, supervising writers, discovering features and fresh ideas all while staying current on the industry and scanning the levels of competition. Some of the qualities necessary for one of these fashion jobs are being organized, punctual, able to communicate verbally and have impeccable writing and journalistic skills. Being one of the most competitive fashion jobs in the industry, a fashion editor should be ready to put some hard work in and spend long nights brewing up excellent, creative content.

9. Fashion Writer

Being a fashion writer is not as easy as picking up a pen and paper (or laptop, tablet, etc.) but includes extensive amounts of research. Fashion writers must be current on their knowledge of fashion and creative when drumming up writing ideas. Of course, outstanding writing skills are a must and meeting deadlines are also fundamental in this career. Fashion writers can execute interviews, cover fashion events and supply reviews of products. You have a choice of working as a freelance writer, with television shows, websites, blogs, smaller publications like local magazines and newspapers or with major publications such as Vogue or Elle, among others. This is one of those fashion jobs where you can find many opportunities and can be fairly simple to get started.

10. Fashion PR (Fashion Public Relations)

Creating a good consumer opinion is of the utmost importance for this fashion job. Where advertising and marketing can create a consumer desire to purchase a certain fashion item, public relations handles the image in its relation to the public eye. Public opinion can gauge the success and longevity of a company. Out of all the fashion jobs mentioned, fashion pr is the piece that ties it all together.

Fashion Jobs that Require WORK!

Whatever one of these fashion jobs you determine to make your career, remember that in such a reasonably competitive industry it's important to put in a lot of hard work and to be determined. All employers look for something that make their next hire special and capable of making their publication, line, show, or website shine amongst the rest. What is it that you have to offer that others don't have? How motivated are you? Tell us, which one of these fashion jobs appeal to you the most?

Fashion Jewelry to Jazz Up Your Looks

There is no doubt in saying that fashion jewelry and women are synonyms to each other. Fashion jewelry is an add on, over clothes to embellish your personality. The sparking and glittering pieces of jewelry are a first choice of every woman, as they make them look absolutely glamorous and sensuous.

Trends in jewelry come and go with time, today's trend is not going to stay forever, this is for sure. But still, precious and fashionable jewelery never fades out of fashion, specially the diamond, gold, pearl, platinum and kundan. But now, lets talk about funky and artificial jewelery, this form of jewelery is one of the perfect ways to jazz up your looks and can be worn with different outfits and in different color combination's. So, there are innumerable choices available for women to add style to their outfit. Whether she wants bracelet or a pair of fashionable jewelry, there are loads of choices in the fashion jewelry world.

There are many reasons behind women loving to wear fashion jewelery, firstly it is not much expensive as compared to the original ones, secondly one gets the huge variety to match them with various outfits. Moreover, they also add a variety and fashion to your outfit.


Also by wearing fashionable earrings and bracelets, woman can best flaunt their beauty and femininity. They can be chosen from different shapes and sizes and believe me, they are one of the amazing sources to captivate the attention of onlookers. Fashionable earrings having high quality stone, sparkles beautifully and appears like an added feather on women's beauty. Button earrings for working women and hanging earrings for youngsters are in swing. Button tops are actually less than an inch across and may have slightly curved edges to help capture the light better. These are also seen in variety of colors and materials, but the most popular one is a simple gold button.

Fall Fashion Finds for 2012

As school holidays come to an end, we wave goodbye to the hot fashion pieces of summer 2012 and welcome in fall with its fresh styles, colors and accessories, sure to excite fashion divas everywhere. With fall coming up quickly, we are starting to see a wide range of fashion trends that can easily be worn straight through winter. With styles made up of a wide range of materials, colors and clothing items - the possibilities are endless.

Gone are the days of brown, black, and red tweed that were so definitive of past chilly seasons. Rather, the coming season allows for soft and subdued colors as well as bright mood-enhancing tones such as orange, red, and yellow. For those who want to go bright but do not want to go outlandish, burgundy or midnight blue are very elegant, strong options - especially for that all important affair that you have to attend, or for an empowered day at the office. Prints are also back with a bang - whether floral, polka dots, fruity images or something more retro - prints are definitely in for fall 2012. However you wear them, will give you that touch of feminine pizzazz. Just remember... prints are always better when broken with a monotone and neutral tone such as black or white belt, sash or pair of shoes and necklace.


This coming season sees a power play between the need for a masculine look, while remaining charmingly feminine. Manly shirts, suits, boots, and hats are must haves this coming season as women step out onto the streets of New York, London and Paris. Having said that, some designers have stood up for femininity! They have broken up the manly fashion pieces with some girly clothing items that have simply never looked so chic.

Whether choosing a manly or feminine look for a particular day, the designers have broken all boundaries and incorporated a wide range of materials, with a wide range of colors for the coming two seasons. Let's start with sexy leather, whether as one full outfit or combined with fake fur - could you think of a more sensational look?


Pleats and frills are also in, obviously for girls needing to feel feminine and flirty. A great look is to combine a neutral pleated skirt with an interesting print top for fashionable fun. Oh, and girls, just beware, minis are out while maxis and midis have stepped in. Calm down - for those thinking that their sexiness will have to take a step out for the door, think again! The right skirt, teemed with the right belt and shoes is just right for perfect, subtle, sexiness.

Interestingly, designers have also taken the idea of fetishes to a whole new level by giving us Fall and winter styles created on fetish and dominatrix themes. Are you bold enough for it?

As in past seasons of late, layering is another fashion must - as long as you're wearing the right layers. Try a sheer shirt with wide-legged pants for indoor wear, paired with a thin knit sweater for warmth and a coat for outside excursions.

Of course, boots are a must and cute winter hats provide that extra sense of fashion flare.

A final accessory-must for that complete trendy look is a pair of fashion frames - whether they're prescription eyeglasses or simple eyeglass frames fitted with a placebo lens. The colors of the season allow for fashionistas to really let loose and enjoy choosing fun and bold designs and colors from the wide range available online. What's more, online eyeglasses shopping is so affordable that you may even be able to really accessorize by buying a few pairs in different colors, to complete your every look, every day of the next two seasons.

Top Designers in Fashion - Style And Fashion Weeks

Fashion designers are creators! The fashion shows and the fashion weeks attract fashionistas even in this time of financial insecurity. The catwalks are full of beautiful models presenting glamorous collections however, the buzz of the fashion weeks is dimmer.

The social and the financial instability through which the world is going through today has affected the fashion industry and the fashion designers. But in times of crisis there is no need to despair you just need to make the most of the situation given. This seems to be the motto after which the designers are creating their collections this year. Even the tops designers at fashion weeks have adapted to this trend. The collections seem to be down to earth and more wearable than the ones in the previous years.

However, even if there is this common ground from where the designers leave when they start their collection there are many differences in the style and attitude of their clothes. We can actually separate the fashion trends and styles according to some of the biggest capitals of the world. For instance, the French scene is dominated by designers such as Gautier, Nina Ricci and many others. However, Paris seems to be losing it fashion crown to London. Some of the best designers here are Vivienne Westwood, Sir Hardy Amies, Christopher Kane and many others.

The French designers have always respected the chic and classy trends and have focused on high glamor styles. Their clothes are sophisticated and are almost always accompanied by smart accessories. Having boutiques and shows all over the world they seem to have an aesthetic sense of fashion that prevails at any time. The British designers on the other hand create conservative attires using extravagant material. Their creations take us to the idea of royalty and dignity.

The style of the designers is characteristic of the city where they reside however, choosing a particular clothing item is something of personal taste. There are many fashion trends and styles but you should always invest in clothes that represent you and your personality.

Can You Improve Your Appearance by Wearing Jewelery

This is a question that some would agree with and many would disagree, but could it be a question of taste? If we look at this world we would notice that most people are seeking the most attractive and beautiful person to be their life partner. In that idea we could see that appearance would be a key factor in the choosing of a spouse. So with this in mind does jewelry affect appearance?

If we look at the way people look to improve themselves we see that some men would go to a gym and endure hard work outs with weights in order to gain large muscles. This could be in the hope to attract a beautiful attractive female. Like wise a woman would go to a gym to tone her figure and to get her body in good proportion in the hope of attracting a handsome healthy strong man to be her partner.
So with this in mind, could it be the case that having beautiful jewelery may also add to a persons appearance and allow that person to be attractive to the opposite sex.

If you look at people looking for a life partner, you could note that they visit certain places where they may attract the opposite sex. You see groups of either young men or groups of young women traveling on a Friday or Saturday night to a club or party. This ritual would appear to have the motive of attracting the opposite sex. For example you could see groups of men at local train stations wearing a smart pair of trousers and a smart shirt waiting for a train to take them into central London. You may also see groups of women dressed attractively traveling to similar venues.

People tend to want to attract the best partner, men wanting a beautiful and attractive wife, and women possibly wanting a rich and handsome man. Jewelery is one of those things that could indicate that a person has wealth. Also a women may feel happy wearing beautiful diamonds etc.

So having jewelry could be a nice addition to a persons appearance. But also some jewelry would look better with one outfit than another, so what type of jewelery should a person wear with a particular garment. This question could be best left to personal taste, but there will possibly be things which definitely looks right and other things which just does not look right.

The other problem is that the fashion industry seems to change what is acceptable in one season to being unacceptable in another season. Would it not be better to let people choose what they felt best suited them. But may be at the end of the day it is the consumer who votes with their pounds.

But would jewelry go out of fashion like clothes appear to, due to the amount of money that could be paid for a piece of jewelery I would feel that an expensive piece of jewelry possibly would not go out of fashion. So wearing jewelery could be a good way to enhance the appearance.

So concluding I say that jewelry is a thing that could possibly always be something that could enhance a persons appearance. And it should perhaps be a matter of personal choice as to which piece suits a person.

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