​The design and development process 

I created this ensemble for my final project in my patternmaking class in November 2016. The theme of my collection is biker-chic meets French-inspired elegance. My inspiration came from a trip to Paris where I admired the tweed fabrics. The tweed and silk convey classic elegance while the leather creates dynamic contrast. My collection is composed of pieces that a woman can wear to work and then out for the evening. Every ensemble in the collection features multiple functional and decorative gold zippers, gold studs, a textured faux leather, and a loosely woven tweed with gold metallic threads and soft yarn in black, white, and gray. ​

​The patternmaking and fitting process

Shown above, my dress includes princess seams that continue up the entire length of the dress to the shoulders with zippers inserted in that seam. The side has a two-way side zipper allowing the wearer to easily put it on but also to open it up as a slit from the bottom.

To design my asymmetrical jacket pattern incorporating many zippers, I replaced the normal darts with zippers to create the shape of the jacket. Thus, I used zippers as the technical darts.  This was quite a challenge to maneuver as this was my first full-scale patternmaking class. The jacket includes a pocket with a double-pull zipper allowing the pocket to be opened up to a desired width.

Because I spent so much time creating the perfect fit for the jacket, I had less time to fully consider the dress underneath. I had never used tweed before, and I learned the hard way that it requires extra care before sewing. I discovered that I first needed to bind all edges of the tweed or else the expensive, gorgeous fabric horrifically frayed right before my eyes as I sewed (upper right photo).