THE 5C RULE IN FASHION DESIGN
Have you heard of the 5C rule in fashion design? Let's find out!
1. CUSTOMER
For fashion design, after graduation, we are all faced with a common challenge: creating something that is practical and applicable. One of the first things you need to determine is who you are designing for. Identify your target audience, research and analyze their personality and aesthetic preferences to provide a foundation for your creativity. Every fashion designer/brand will have its own community.
2. CONTEXT
What is the cultural and social context in which everything operates? Is there anything that affects you and inspires creativity for this collection? My friends and colleagues often spend time researching and keeping up with what is happening domestically and internationally to broaden their perspectives before finding a specific source of inspiration.
Fashion is a reflection of life and expresses the desire to change the world. Many big brands such as Gucci, Maison Margiela, Stella McCartney, Rick Owens, Botter... have explored themes about historical heritage, the environment, landscapes, gender, and war.
3. CONCEPT
Research and identify the "Big Idea" for the designs, which is the decisive factor for the aesthetic components of the collection. Many people usually do this from the beginning if they already have a lot of ideas beforehand. In fact, you can choose the creative sequence that suits you as long as it creates positivity for you. "Concept" - or the inspiration/theme enveloping the collection - will inspire each detail when you draw designs.
4. COLOR
Color is also a crucial factor in design. Select a color scheme suitable for the concept, the general spirit of the collection, and to express your personality. Sometimes I have difficulty deciding on the colors for my personal design projects. How do I prevent the designs from being too overwhelming? How do I ensure the balance of the color proportions? And how do I express the high-end quality I aim for in design? For me, choosing the wrong color is like going the wrong direction.
5. CLOTH
The impact of materials is key to determining whether your design can be sewn and whether it resembles the original concept. If the materials are chosen poorly, the design may not achieve the desired form and significantly reduce the aesthetic value. There have been many times when student designers had to redo the garment just because they bought the wrong fabric.