The draping technique as a creative phase in the fashion design methodology

The creation of fashion products demands, every time a larger involvement from the designers in all stages of the fashion chain, from the analysis of markets, to the spinning, weaving, production and distribution. The moulage technique opens a very vast field of possibilities in the creation of new products, with totally innovative and differentiated modelling. Methodological problems come up due to the way of making industrial garments: the creation on the three-dimensional body shape, its transposition for two-dimensional patterns, the evolution for the several sizes (the grading), the development of efficient technical records, the planning of the cut room and use of the fabrics with efficiency, and the choice of right technology for sewing at the industrial scale. In this communication an approach to a new fashion design methodology which applies the draping technique is presented. This methodology is based upon the dynamic between conceptual design, detailed design and design research, integrated in such a way as to generate new product creation concepts, thus increasing their added value.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT