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University of Fashion Blog - Fashion & Style
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Are You Feeling Like a Design-o-saur? - University of Fashion Blog
Are fashion’s shiniest new technologies making you want to crawl back to the Jurassic period? Are you feeling a little bit like a design-o-saur? Don’t worry—you won’t need tiny arms to learn the ropes! We’re here to rescue you from extinction. Our 3D and artificial intelligence fashion design instructors are more up-to-date than […]
CALLING ALL TEACHERS, STUDENTS & SCHOOLS - University of Fashion Blog
Welcome Back! We hope you had a fun summer and are excited about your new school term. It’s time to buckle down, crack the books, and meet those project deadlines. Are you ready? If you’re a high school or college aspiring fashion design or fashion business student or teacher, WE ARE YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND. […]
Runway Revelations: Where Do Designers Actually Get Their Inspiration? - University of Fashion Blog
Alexander McQueen collection inspired by Leigh Bowery Autumn/Winter 2009, titled “Horn of Plenty.” (Image credit: vogue.com) Fashion designers don’t just wait for inspiration—they chase it like it’s the last slice of pizza at a fashion week afterparty. Sure, their process sounds elegant, but at heart, it takes talent, skill, tons of research and a thing […]
Announcing Our Newest Lesson: Drafting a Knit Halter Tank with a Racerback - University of Fashion Blog
Click to view our lesson preview of Drafting a Knit Halter with a Racerback (Image credit: UniversityofFashion.com) Our newest lesson is, Drafting a Knit Halter with a Racerback. In this lesson you will learn how to interpret a sketch, an important first step when drafting patterns. Referring to the racerback tank illustration, we will demo […]
Announcing - Our Back to School Sale is On! - University of Fashion Blog
School is back in session and we’re at your service! We are every student’s best kept secret, their own private tutor! Our mission is your success and so, if you are a student or teacher at a high school or college from anywhere around the world, and you are looking for help with your curriculum […]
Happy National Book Lover's Day - August 9th - University of Fashion Blog
University of Fashion’s 3 book series – Beginner Techniques: Draping, Pattern Making & Sewing. Available on Amazon Once upon a time, in a land filled with fabric scraps and tangled threads, National Book Lover’s Day arrived! All the books in the world gathered around, boasting about their genres—some had wizard duels, others had swoony billionaires. […]
Top 6 Must See Fashion Exhibitions in 2025 - University of Fashion Blog
Paul Poiret: Fashion is a Feast at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, in Paris, France (Image credit: Christophe Dellière for the Musée des Arts décoratifs – www.madparis.fr) As summer comes to a close, the seasons change, and so do global exhibitions. Museums around the world carry some of the most significant artifacts in textile history. […]
R.I.P. Big 4 Pattern Companies - Now What? - University of Fashion Blog
The ‘Big 4’ pattern companies Vogue, Butterick, McCalls & Simplicity (New Look) were sold to a liquidator for $1 on May 30th, 2025. Once upon a time, in the not-so-distant past, the whir of a sewing machine was as constant as the hum of a refrigerator. Spools of thread in every shade known to humankind […]
Announcing Our Newest Lesson: Drafting a Side-Pleated Culotte - University of Fashion Blog
University of Fashion’s newest lesson (click to watch a lesson preview): Drafting a Side-Pleated Culotte (Image credit: UniversityofFashion.com) Our new lesson will teach you how to draft a women’s side pleated culotte using your basic pant sloper as the foundation. We will teach you how to draft two front pleats, a waistband, a back zipper […]
Is the New Look Totally Innocent in Perpetuating the Image of Idealized Femininity? - University of Fashion Blog
Paris in the late 1940s saw immense changes to its city, both socially and visually. Women traded in their work boots for heels, once again hearing the clack of each step against the cobblestone streets. During World War II, luxuries were not afforded under the restrictions of wartime rations. As women entered the workforce during […]
Patriotic Fashion- Happy July 4th - University of Fashion Blog
To The Red, White & Blue: The American Flag in Fashion Happy Independence Day 2025! What better way to show national pride than by wearing iconic red, white and blue? The first official flag of the United States was introduced on June 14, 1777 and represented our founding 13 colonies with thirteen stripes in red […]
Announcing Our Newest Lesson: Drafting a Knit Camisole - University of Fashion Blog
Working in knit fabric can be challenging. Things such as stretch ratio and whether a particular knit fabric has one-way stretch, two-way stretch or four-way stretch are only some of the things you need to know before you enter into the world of designing with knit fabrics. We’re here to help! Click to see a […]
Cannes 2025 - Classic, Elegant & CONSTRICTED - University of Fashion Blog
For two weeks in May, global visionaries of cinema assembled in France for the annual Cannes Film Festival. With vibrant seas of red carpeting, the celebrities sailed forth amidst the cannon fire of paparazzi. Gathered to attend the premiere of each film submitted to the festival, the stars and filmmakers alike dressed for the chic […]
What Does a Flag & a Fly Front Zipper Have in Common ? - University of Fashion Blog
The ‘fly’ of a flag refers to the length of the flag that extends outward from the staff or pole; it is the part that is free to move and flutter in the wind. As the flag is attached at one end and loose at the other, it allows for it to wave or […]
Announcing our new lesson: Drafting a Boat Neckline for Knits - University of Fashion Blog
Our ‘cut & sew’ knit series teaches how to create several different types of knit necklines. One of the most popular is the boat neckline. This lesson will teach you how to draft two variations of the boat neckline: one planned with a clean finish neckline, armhole and hem and the other for a fold-over […]
Bespoke Tailoring: A Lost Art? - University of Fashion Blog
Last week’s social media explosion of images from the MET Gala, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, raised the question, “what truly is the state of bespoke tailoring today?” In this week’s blog, I’ll delve into the art of bespoke tailoring and explore how, thanks to events like the MET exhibition, and the passion of some […]
Pinstripes & Tailoring on Steroids: MET’s Superfine Exhibition - University of Fashion Blog
Pinstripes and tailoring are a quintessential menswear staple seen on display at the MET Gala (from left to right): Emma Chamberlain in Courreges (Photo: John Shearer-WireImage); Doja Cat in Marc Jacobs (Photo John Shearer/Getty Images); Pharrell Williams in Louis Vuitton (Photo: Vogue/Getty Images); Janelle Monáe in Paul Tazewell x Thom Browne (Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images); […]
Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Fashion Designers - University of Fashion Blog
In honor of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month we would like to spotlight some of our industry’s Asian and Pacific Islander-owned and founded brands. These AAPI individuals have made significant and often groundbreaking contributions to the world of fashion, each adding diversity, their cultural heritage and their creative genius. Here are some of […]
Announcing Our Newest Lesson: AI Midjourney- The User Friendly AI Platform - University of Fashion Blog
We are thrilled to announce our latest lesson, AI: Midjourney-The User Friendly AI Platform taught by our very own AI fashion design instructor, Anna Leighton. This is the third in our lesson series where you will learn how to use Midjourney to bring your fashion design ideas to life. Anna will guide you through setting […]
Celebrating World Creativity & Innovation Day - University of Fashion Blog
The Origin Story of World Creativity and Innovation Day World Creativity and Innovation Day is celebrated annually on April 21st. The origin of this day can be traced back to Canadian Marci Segal, a creativity and innovation consultant (since 1984) and the author of books such as Creativity and Personality Type: Tools for Understanding and Inspiring […]
Fashion’s AI Early Adopters - University of Fashion Blog
In an industry where fashion trends can come and go at warp speed, you’d expect our industry to embrace 3D & AI with open arms. Not so fast. Over the past 50 years, I have witnessed initial resistance to using CAD tools for drawing and PDS for pattern making. But today the industry can’t imagine […]
Fashion Portfolio Series: Menswear - University of Fashion Blog
University of Fashion’s menswear drawing lessons taught by Professor Steven Broadway (FIT & Parsons). (Image credit: UniversityofFashion.com) If you are a current fashion student preparing your menswear portfolio for the job market, or an aspiring designer getting your portfolio ready for a fashion college application, or a current fashion designer looking to update your existing […]
How'd They Make That? - University of Fashion Blog
New York Fashion Week Fall 2025 – Christopher John Rodgers (Image credit: Fashionista.com) If you’re a fashionista like me, watching runway shows during fashion week always gets me thinking, “how’d they make that”? Then I ask myself, “let me see whether we have a lesson at University of Fashion for that particular design detail, technique […]
Put on your Purple! Celebrating Women's History Month - University of Fashion Blog
Did you know that the official color of Women’s History Month is purple? Women in every industry have been chipping away at the glass ceiling for decades, often in the face of significant challenges and discrimination. Did you know that the first female prime minister was Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka in 1960? She was […]
Announcing Our New Lesson: Drafting Women's Palazzo Pants - University of Fashion Blog
University of Fashion’s lesson on drafting two variations of Palazzo pants: gathered waist and flat waist. (Image credit: UniversityofFashion.com). History of Palazzo Pants Palazzo pants have their roots both in menswear and Asian fashion trends, particularly the wide-legged trousers worn by nobility in certain cultures. They really took off for women in the 60s and […]
How to Draft a Coat & Cape - University of Fashion Blog
Winter’s not over yet and there’s still time to draft and sew your own coat or cape. So, take a trip to your local fabric store or shop online and find that fabulous wool, cashmere, boucle, melton, alpaca, mohair, camel hair, gabardine or any fabric of your dreams and then start drafting! You could even […]
Celebrating Black Fashion History: Then & Now - University of Fashion Blog
As we celebrate Black History Month 2025, I thought it fitting to explore the historical contributions that African Americans have made to the world of fashion and which Black designers to watch in 2025. Before I do, I’d like to take a look at the origin of Black History month. Started as Negro History Week […]
Fashion As Sculpture, Engineering & Architecture - University of Fashion Blog
Did you watch the recent haute couture shows? Did it make you think, wow, how did they make that? This couture season especially reminded me of just how much engineering goes into garment design and construction. Want proof? Check out Daniel Roseberry’s collection for Schiaparelli, it was a brilliant combination of both engineering & architecture […]
Announcing Our New Lesson: Drafting Bell Bottoms - University of Fashion Blog
To watch University of Fashion’s lesson preview click: Drafting a Women’s Bell Bottom Pant (Image credit: UniversityofFashion.com) When I think of bell bottoms, I think of the 60s & early 70s, hippies and Cher. Distinguishing themselves from their close relative, flared pants, bell bottoms widen dramatically at the knee, creating a bell-like shape at the […]
University of Fashion's NEWEST Lesson: AI: Getting Started with Prompts - University of Fashion Blog
Are you ready for the Age of AI? Let us help you enter the exciting world of AI for Fashion Design. It’s just a tool after all. Just like a ruler, hip curve and a pencil helps in drafting patterns. And muslin, scissors and a dress form assists in the draping, you can now […]
Bob Mackie- The Last of the Hands-on Designers? - University of Fashion Blog
Clip of Bob Mackie taking the stage for a Q & A at the Palm Springs International Film Festival’s showing of the new documentary, Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion (Video credit: University of Fashion) On Saturday, January 11th, I had the pleasure of taking part in a Q & A with Bob Mackie at the Palm […]
Trend Forecasting 2025- Innovators vs Data Crunchers - University of Fashion Blog
If you’ve been following fashion trends as long as I have, you’ve probably seen it all. As co-author of the Historical Dictionary of Fashion (First & Second Edition), I have documented trends such as the miniskirt, Mod, Grunge, Punk, Unisex, athleisure, power dressing, the return of the corset, leather apparel cycles, minimalism, quiet luxury, DIY, and […]
University of Fashion's 2025 New Lesson Line-up - University of Fashion Blog
2025 is shaping up to be a year of significant change and innovation in the fashion industry. Some of the key trends and developments will be driven by sustainability, technology, and a focus on DIY creativity. For example: Sustainability Circular Fashion: Brands will increasingly adopt circular business models, focusing on recycling, upcycling, and repair to […]
Looking for a New Year's Resolution? - University of Fashion Blog
As we glide in to 2025, most os us are busy looking for a New Year’s resolution that we can actually stick to. Forget about the diet and/or exercise pledge (only to crap out after a month). Why not get yourself (and someone you love to do it with you) a discounted yearly or monthly […]
Last Minute Unique Holiday Gift Ideas - University of Fashion Blog
You’ve been so busy with school work, house work, your job and/or the kids and you’ve only now realized that you’re out of time to shop for a holiday gift for that special someone on your list. Need help? University of Fashion to the Rescue From the comfort of your own home, get on your […]
Happy Almost Holidays - University of Fashion Blog
In honor of the upcoming holidays, Christmas, Chanukkah and Kwanzaa, we are announcing our once yearly sale. The benefits of a UoF subscription are BIG. With 13 different disciplines, you can give the gift of fashion education to that aspiring designer, current fashion student, someone already in the fashion biz who needs to upskill, or […]
Is Fashion Photography Doomed? - University of Fashion Blog
The Mother & Father of Fashion Photography: Louise Dahl-Wolfe 1950 Dior (Image credit: Christies) and Norman Parkinson 1960 Jaeger (Image Credit: Norman Parkinson Archives) Ask any fashion designer just how important choosing a photographer is in promoting their brand and they will tell you, in a word…critical. Ever since the invention of photography (1822), fashion […]
Sleeve Mania: History of the Leg o’Mutton Sleeve - University of Fashion Blog
Leg o’mutton sleeve worn by Queen Elizabeth I, painted by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger ca. 1592. (Image credit: National Portrait Gallery) The leg o’mutton or leg-of-mutton sleeve, also known as the French gigot sleeve, with its distinctive puffed shoulder and tapered wrist, has a fascinating history, making multiple appearances in fashion throughout the centuries. Early […]
Thanksgiving Greetings from University of Fashion - University of Fashion Blog
We would like to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to all of our current and future high school, college, fashion school teachers & students, our groups, organizations, libraries and our thousands of individual subscribers. As we celebrate the Holiday with our friends and family, let’s give thanks to all of the creatives out there who either […]
AI Fashion: A New Era of Fashion Design and Consumption - University of Fashion Blog
ANNOUNCING UoF’s AI Fashion Design Series: A Glimpse into the Future of Fashion University of Fashion’s first AI series: Introduction to AI Fashion Design, taught by Anna Leighton The intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and fashion is reshaping the industry, ushering in a new era of creativity, efficiency, and personalization. By leveraging advanced algorithms and […]