The

Art
of

Fashion Created By:

Mrs. Christine Holt
FACS Educator
Westlake High School
 What is
Design?
• A design is an arrangement of elements or
details in a product or work of art.
Paintings, buildings, and even cities are
designs. The clothes people wear are
design and use the same combination of the
elements and principles of design.
 Steps to
Good
Design
1. Help you to recognize a well-designed
garment or ensemble.
2. Help you select the designs that look best
on you.
• By understanding design, you will be able
to show off your best features.
 Figure
Figure Types
Types
• Understanding figure types and body shapes
is key to developing a sense of design,
which in turn will help you look your best.
• Body shape is called figure for females and
physique for men. These figure and
physique types are often compared to
geometric shapes:
– The triangle, rectangle, and circle
Silhouettes
 Triangle
Silhouette

• This shape is narrow on the top and wider

on the bottom. This means a person may
have narrow shoulders, average to small
bust/chest, and broader hips and thighs.
Some people will describe this figure as
pear-shaped.
 Triangle
Silhouette
 Inverted
Triangle
Silhouette
• This person has a large upper body and
smaller lower body. Shoulders are wide,
but hips and thighs are narrow. The bust or
chest is average to large. This shape may
be described as apple-shaped.
• This is a typical man’s physique.
 Inverted
Triangle
Silhouette
 Rectangle
Silhouette

• A person with this figure type has

shoulders, waist, and hips of a similar
width. The body shape has few curves.
The chest is usually small and there is no
defined waist.
Rectangle
Silhouette
 Hourglass
Silhouette

• When you picture an hourglass you

envision an object that is wide at the top and
bottom, but narrow in the middle. This also
describes the hourglass figure type. This
person generally has a larger bust, a well-
defined waist and wider hips.
Hourglass
Silhouette
 Body
Shapes

• No matter what figure or physique type,

people can use the elements and principles
of design to create an optical illusion—a
misleading image or visual impression
presented to the eyes—of a slightly
different shape and, therefore, enhance their
best features.
 Elements of
Design

• The elements of design are color, line, form,

and texture. They are sometimes referred to
as the building blocks of design. Each of
these elements plays an important role in
forming the structure of clothing designs.
 Lines

• Lines give direction to a design and break

larger areas into smaller ones. Lines also
create movement in a design, carrying the
eye form one area to another. They can be
vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or curved.
 Vertical
Lines

• These lines lead

the eye up and
down. They add
height and create
a thinner, taller
silhouette. They
are more
masculine.
 Horizontal
Lines

• These lines carry

the eye from side
to side. Adds
width and make a
person appear
shorter and
heavier.
 Curved
Lines

• These lines gently

bend. They are
considered
graceful and
feminine. They
can also re-
emphasize and
define the figure.
 Diagonal
Lines

• These lines are

angled and slanted.
They produce the
same illusion as the
straight line they
most resemble.
 Form
and
Shape
• The outline of an object is its shape, which
is made up of lines. If you stand in front of
a lighted area near a wall, you can see your
silhouette on the wall as a shadow. When
people see you from a distance they only
see your shape.
 Form
and
Shape
• When a two-dimensional shape takes on a
third dimension, it becomes a form or mass.
Form is the three-dimensional shape of an
object. If an object has height, weight, and
depth, it has form. Form makes up the
enclosed area of design. Along with body
shape, the clothes people wear create form.
 Form
And
Shape
• Several forms or shapes are common in
clothes. These include the following:
– Natural Form
– Full Form
– Tubular Form
– Bell Form
 Natural
Form

• The natural form

follows the shape
of the body.
Clothes fit close
and reveal the
natural waist and
hips.
 Full
Form

• Some clothes,
such as a full skirt
or pants with wide
legs, produce a
full form. These
clothes tend to
visually increase
size and weight.
 Tubular
Form

• Clothes with a tubular

form are more vertical.
They include a straight
dress without a defined
waistline, straight-leg
pants, or a suit.
• The tubular form
creates the illusion of
height and slenderness.
 Bell
Form

• Clothes that produce

the bell-shaped form
look good on most
people. Flared skirts
and pants are
examples of bell
forms.
 Texture

• Texture refers to how a fabric feels and

looks on the surface. The yarn, weave, and
finish determine a fabric’s texture. Some
words that describe textures are smooth,
dull, rough, shinny, soft, fuzzy, delicate,
scratchy, and shaggy.
 Types of
Textures

• There are two main types of textures seen in

clothing.
1. Tactile—how an object feels.
2. Visual—how an object appears to feel.
 Texture
Guidelines
When choosing textures, follow
these guidelines:
1. Fuzzy, loopy, or shaggy surfaces are usually thicker and bulkier.
They increase visual size.
2. Stiff, crisp textures also increase the illusion of size because the
fabric stands away from the body. They can, however, help
conceal some body features.
3. Soft clingy fabrics reveal the body’s entire silhouette.
4. Smooth, flat textures give the illusion of decreased size.
5. Shiny textures reflect light and emphasize body curves. They
tend to add the illusion of weight or size.
6. Dull surfaces tend to decrease size because they absorb light.
 Pattern

• Patterns used on clothing add extra

embellishments:
1. Naturalistic—realistic, appears as it would naturally.
2. Conventional/Stylized—can recognize the object but
is not realistic in appearance.
3. Geometric—based on lines and shapes.
4. Abstract—separate from anything recognizable in the
real world.
 Color
An Element
of Design
 Color

• When shopping for clothes, color may be

the first thing that attracts you to a
particular garment. The range of colors is
almost limitless. Some are light; other are
dark. Some are bright; others are dull.
Understanding the properties of color can
help you choose colors that will best
enhance your features.
 Qualities of
Color

• Color has three properties or qualities. The

first is hue. Hue is the name of a color,
such as red, green, or blue. The other two
qualities of color are value and intensity.
 Value

• The lightness or
darkness of a color.
Each color has a
wide value scale
from light to dark.
Different values form
when white or black
is added to a color.
‾ Tints & Shades
 Tints
and
Shades
• Tints: A subcategory
of value. A tint is
made by adding
white to a hue.
• Shades: A
subcategory of value.
A shade is made by
adding black to a hue.
 Intensity

• The brightness or dullness

of a color. A bright color is
more intense than a dull
color. Adding more of the
dominate color makes a
color more intense.
Adding some of the color’s
complement will make the
color less intense.
 The Color
Wheel

• The color wheel

shows the relationship
among colors or hues.
It includes the
primary, secondary,
and tertiary colors.
 Primary
COlors

• Red, yellow, and blue are the

primary colors. Each is a pure
hue. No other colors can be
combined to make any of
them.
• They are placed equal
distances from each other on
the color wheel, forming a
triangle.
• All other colors are made
from them.
 Secondary
Colors

• Orange, green, and violet are

the secondary colors. They
are located evenly between
the primary hues on the color
wheel.
• Mixing equal amounts of
two primary hues forms the
secondary colors.
‾ Red + Yellow = Orange
‾ Red + Blue = Violet
‾ Blue + Yellow = Green
 Tertiary
Colors

• Combining equal amounts of

a primary and secondary hue
form a tertiary color. They are
located between the primary
and secondary colors on the
color wheel.
• These colors are red-violet,
blue-violet, blue-green,
yellow-green, yellow-orange,
and red-orange.
 Color
complements

• Colors located opposite

one another on the color
wheel. They have the
greatest contrast and look
brightest when used
together.
‾ Red and Green
‾ Yellow and Violet
‾ Blue and Orange
 Warm
Colors

• Red, orange, and

yellow are considered
warm colors. They
are bright and
cheerful, and suggest
activity. Many people
like to wear warm
colors.
 Cool
Colors

• Blue, green, and violet are

considered cool colors.
Restful, relaxing, refreshing,
cool, and soothing are terms
often used to describe these
colors.
• Long term hospital patients
may stay in rooms painted
soft green or blue-green.
These colors are relaxing
and comfortable.
 Color
Schemes

• Appealing
combinations of colors
form color schemes.
Designers often base
fabric and clothing
designs on these time-
tested color schemes.
 Monochromatic

• A color scheme that

uses several values and
intensities of one color.
‾ Someone wearing a
pale blue shirt, navy
jeans, and pure blue
socks is displaying a
monochromatic outfit.
 Analogous/
Adjacent

• Two to Four Colors are

next to one another on the
color wheel. They are
closely related and always
blend.
‾ Autumn leaves in
yellows, oranges, and
reds are a great natural
analogous color
scheme.
 Triad

• A triad uses three

colors that form an
equal-lateral sided
triangle on the color
wheel. Commonly it
is your primary and
secondary colors.
 Direct
Complement

• This color scheme uses

two colors directly
opposite of each other on
the color wheel. With this
color scheme lower the
intensity of one or both of
the colors to enhance one
other.
 Split
Complement

• This color scheme

uses three colors. It
uses one color plus
two colors next to
its complement.
• Creates a very
flattering look to the
design.
 Double
Complement

• This color scheme uses

four colors. It consists
of two sets of direct
complements.
• One of the colors
should be dominate
and can create a fun
look.
 Neutrals

• Black, white, gray, tan,

brown are neutrals. They are
known as the non-colors
White, the absence of color
reflects light. Black absorbs
all colors. Gray is a blend of
black and white. Tan and
brown are made by
combining color
complements evenly.
 Accented
Neutral

• A color scheme that

combines a neutral color
with a bright color
accent. This is a very
versatile combination
when mixing and
matching various pieces
in a wardrobe.
The Principles
of Design
 Principles
of Design

• The principles of design are guidelines for

combining and using elements of design.
Balance, proportion, rhythm, and emphasis
are the principles of design. When these are
used correctly, the result is harmony—the
goal of good design.
 Proportion/
Scale

• Proportion is the relationship of one part to

another and of all the parts to the whole.
This includes sizes, spaces, shapes, and
visual weight.
• Clothing and accessories should be in
proportion to a person’s size and body
shape.
 Balance

• Balance is the arrangement of objects in an

even, pleasing way with equal visual weight
on both sides.
• There are two types of Balance:
1. Formal/Symmetrical Balance
2. Informal/Asymmetrical Balance
 Formal/
Symmetrical
Balance
• With formal/symmetrical balance, both
sides of the garment are identical or a
mirror image. It is easy to achieve in
clothing.
– Example: a skirt with the same number of
pleats on each side of the center.
 Formal/
Symmetrical
Balance
 Informal/
Asymmetrical
Balance
• With informal/asymmetrical balance the
design elements are different on either side
of the imaginary line. One side of the
design does not reflect the other. Not as
easy to create but usually more interesting.
– Example: a jacket with an off-center closing.
 Informal/
Asymmetrical
Balance
 Emphasis

• Interesting designs have one part that stands

out more than any other part. They have a
center of interest or emphasis. The eye is
drawn to this area and it is the first thing
people see. Often referred to as the focal
point.
 Emphasis

• Emphasis should be
used to draw attention
to a person’s best
features. It is achieved
through:
‾ Color, design
details, texture, and
accessories.
 Rhythm

• Rhythm is the feeling of movement created by line,

shape, or color in a design. It causes the eye to move
smoothly from one part of design to another.
• There are five ways that rhythm can be achieved:
1. Graduation
2. Opposition
3. Radiation
4. Repetition
5. Transition
 Rhythm by
Graduation

• Sometimes called
progression, implies a
gradual increase or
decrease in size or
color.
‾ Color can go from
light to dark.
‾ Textures from thin
to thick.
 Rhythm by
Opposition

• Rhythm that is created

when lines meet to form
right angles. Direct
contrast created by
perpendicular lines,
black and white or
complementary colors
placed next to each
other.
 Rhythm by
Radiation

• When lines extend out

from a central axis
point. Created with
gathers, tucks, seams,
darts, flowing lines, or
colors fan out from a
central area.
 Rhythm by
Repetition

• Repeating lines,
shapes, colors or
textures in a garment.
 Rhythm by
Transition

• A fluid rhythm
created when a
curved line leads the
eye over an angle.
 Harmony

• Using the elements of design

according to the principles of
design creates harmony and a
pleasing visual image. In
achieving harmony, all parts of
a design look as if they belong
together. It helps to add
variety with accessories but
never takes away from the
overall design.