A New Approach to Fashion 101
Beginning fashion students may find the design game rather intimidating with all the complex garment constructions to learn as well as the constant pressure to create something fantastic. Pasadena, Calif.–based designer Victoria Hunter hopes to bring a more user-friendly approach to such students with a new textbook, “The Ultimate Fashion Study Guide,” set to roll out on Aug. 31.
Hunter knows about some of the issues that fashion students encounter because she’s been there. She is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, where she won the “Fashion Design Student of the Year” award and a full scholarship to FIDM’s third-year program, named after Bob Mackie.
Her 300-page book is geared for Fashion 101, usually called “Introduction to Fashion Design,” taken by students in their first or second years. The course covers the basics, such as technical flat drawing, fabrication and color, sourcing, group formulating, and presentation boards.
Even at high-ranking fashion colleges, Hunter thought certain aspects of educating beginning students could be improved, based on feedback from educators.
“In some of these books, you would see these elaborate illustrations, and that could be intimidating. Some students may think that they have to meet that standard right away,” she said.
Hunter also found her school books were lacking in the amount and variations of technical flat and croquis templates, so she added several, covering numerous categories such as men, infants and even maternity figures in her own book.
Another challenge students face is to come up with themes for clothing. Hunter’s book contains step-by-step methods to generate creativity. She does it in a number of ways, including word association and image catalogs, aimed at stirring brainstorming sessions. The book also covers business aspects such as understanding target customers, buying fabrics, and materials and pricing.
“The fashion industry is so glamorous to young people. At the end of the day, however, you need to sell something, and you have to learn to make the item sell.”
Hunter is now marketing the book to schools around the country and said the feedback has been positive so far.
“I want to offer students something they can constantly refer to when they are stressed or whenever. My idea is to provide a mentor of sorts in book form. I also want to provide the basics for students so that instructors can excel in their roles,” Hunter concluded.
For more information, contact the Hunter Publishing Co. at victoria@hpcwww.com. The book will also be available at Amazon.com.—Robert McAllister
Bayou Studies the Science of Sexy
According to Bradley Bayou, dressing sexily can be reduced to a simple formula.
The Los Angeles–based designer’s gowns have graced the runway on stars as diverse as Oprah Winfrey and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Bayou outlined his prescription for sexy dressing for any shade in a book released earlier this year.“I’ve learned so much because I’ve dressed so many people—I’ve learned all the tricks; it’s all an illusion,” said Bayou.
Bayou’s book, titled “The Science of Sexy,” was published by Gotham Books and features illustrations by Chanelle Embrey. The book’s premise is based on Bayou’s findings that symmetry is sexy, so if you weren’t born with a perfect hourglass figure, there are ways to dress to look as if you were. The designer assigns each body type a “fitting room” according to height and weight. He then gives instructions for determining whether that body type is an “inverted triangle,” a “rectangle,” a “triangle” or an “hourglass.” Each body type and shape has its own section filled with illustrations, recommended styles to wear and styles to avoid for casual, career and formal occasions. Each section includes recommendations for skirts and dresses, pants and jeans, and shoes and accessories.
“The eye finds symmetry sexy,” said Bayou. “It’s been a great way for women to look at how to dress.”
The book also features Bayou’s advice on everything from accentuating (or concealing) certain parts of the body to whether or not to follow current trends.
“Trends right now don’t look good on anyone who isn’t emaciated,” he said. “I’ve always thought about the woman first and making her sexier. That’s why women get dressed up.”—Alison A. Nieder
Knitwear Essentials From Suss
Los Angeles–based knitwear designer Suss Cousins offers 30 patterns of her top designs in her latest book, “Suss Design Essentials,” set for publication in September by Potter Craft, a division of Random House.
This is Cousins’ fifth knitting book. Her “Wedding Knits” book was published earlier this year.
The book is divided into five categories: sweaters, separates, dresses, coats and accessories. The designer provides patterns and knitting instructions for styles such as a deep V-neck cable vest, an off-the-shoulder dress, a swing capelet with a collar and a lined purse with a chain handle.
Cousins has been designing knitwear for 10 years and hosts informal knitting classes at her Beverly Boulevard boutique, Suss Designs. In addition to designing for her wholesale accounts and her retail store, Cousins designs costumes for films including “Shall We Dance?” “The Matrix,” “Master and Commander” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and television shows “Friends,” “Gilmore Girls” and “Will and Grace.”
Cousins’ earlier books include “Home Knits,” “Hollywood Knits: Thirty Original Suss Designs” and “Hollywood-Style Knits.”—A.A.N.
