Chapter 352
Gabrielle nodded, agreeing with me. “At the same time, we need to pay close attention to the selection of fabric and workmanship so that customers can immediately sense its quality and value at first glance.” Next, we dove straight into the design process. I focused on the overall style and design by choosing fabric carefully and monitoring every detail in the production process. I strived to achieve perfection through this piece. We had to understand the needs of our customers to create a remarkable piece, and I envisioned an apparel that would merge elements of the past and present.
I knew that to design clothing capable of grabbing consumers’ attention and maintaining a lasting appeal, I had to find the perfect balance between vintage and modern aesthetics.
As I closed my eyes, classic elements from the past surfaced in my mind including exquisite buttons, a clean tailored silhouette, simple elegant cuts, and a minimal color palette.
I attempted to harmonize these elements to give the garment a sense of historical depth yet remain a timeless look.
Gabrielle was immersed in sketching and choosing fabric samples. She meticulously noted each fabric’s texture, luster, and potential wearability to give customers the best tactile and visual experience.
We occasionally exchanged ideas to discuss how we could reinterpret classic elements with a modern approach. That could bring a touch of class to the garment while showcasing its charm and unique character.
After hours of focused work, we finally completed our initial blueprint which came out as a corset-inspired sundress combining tailored cuts and minimal detailing. It featured vintage prints with fresh bright colors to suit the aesthetic of young consumers while maintaining a touch of classical beauty.
“Now that we’re competitors, we’ll both have to bring our best to make something distinctive.”
Though Gabrielle and I were close friends and roommates, competition on stage left no room for friendship. Only skill mattered here, so displaying our full potential would honor our friendship.
With the initial design in place, we returned to our individual workspaces and felt the subtle blend of cooperation and competition in the air. I picked up my pen and sketched out the vision in my mind.
A designer’s most valuable skill was creativity. But as I began drawing, I realized that creating something highly marketable required practicality.
I paused, pondered, and decided to infuse the design with elements of every day practically. A garment that had to be sold quickly needed to be beautiful and versatile to effortlessly fit into consumers’ daily lives.
I modified the design to simplify what might have been too intricate designs and focused on comfort and easy styling instead.
Gabrielle seemed to have a similar idea. She set down her fabric samples and walked over to point at my sketch.
Chapter 353