......a design process by Carruthers Associates
at the start of each season, the design team meet to discuss the key issues that we believe will affect and influence fashion for the season under consideration.
this is not always a new direction, as often a trend will continue over a period of time, evolving and developing continually.
each of the designers is then asked to visually identify the directions for the various groups and our definitions are started.
these visual references may be historical, contemporary, fashion, from the street, any part of influential media or the printed word.
particular directions need to interpreted both in very specific colours, fibres and yarn profiles and this forms the next stage in the development process
the chosen yarns are than knitted into simple structures to understand their handle, look and behavior.
at this point we may also look at finishing techniques or after treatments to further enhance strategic qualities.
development of interesting structures and garment silhouettes follows and these are shown on the fabric development boards in each area.
all ideas can be expanded into several different looks, giving a variety of options and from this selection a final fabric is knitted.
most fabric structures offer options for development into garments and we have tried to show how our ideas were chosen.
this is not a random process, but one which if followed creates a coherent and strong identity, with many options for alternative possibilities.