Why fashion engineering?

The term “fashion engineering” is not widely used, although there is some precedent. Some schools advertise classes or diplomas in fashion engineering. Often, it is taken to mean fashion that includes hi-tech elements, but this is not necessarily the case. Here, we use it in a somewhat broader sense, to refer to the use of systematic problem-solving engineering principles within the fashion design process. Although it might be argued that all fashion design incorporates a kind of engineering-like problem solving process, this is a stretch. Much work in fashion design is built around creative or intuitive “leaps of faith” by individuals with a broad grounding in garment construction techniques, rather than the application of systematic problem-solving principles as found within engineering.

What, if any, value is added by focusing on fashion engineering? We believe that fashion engineering focuses more heavily on function than much of fashion design does today. Garment functionality is assumed by many designers to be well understood, and most of the effort goes into the aesthetics and styling of garments. Functionality may be addressed in social or cultural terms – hence, for example, a “party dress” serves a particular function, but this is not quite what we mean by functionality.

We are interested in functional principles. Hence, for example, our focus on the principle of reconfigurability or transformability. The ability to change a garment on the fly from one type of use to a different one is an example of a functional principle. Another example might be the inclusion of clues as to garment orientation, to help those of us who sometimes put garments on back-to-front or even inside-out! Such functional principles are rarely laid out as such in garment design, although particular brands may adopt specific principles for their clothing lines.

It is our contention, at g.moda, that much more could be done to serve common needs if one were to systematically identify the functional principles that different garments incorporate, and if one were to systematically extend the range of functional principles that were being served. This is in addition to style/aesthetic considerations.

We also believe that such attention to functional principles will actually result in garments that are less subject to the fluctuations in fashion style that characterize the current fashion market. In other words, our garments should be more current in a wider variety of fashion eras if we do our job right.

Of course, we are not advocating neglecting styling or aesthetics – these remain perennial elements of the fashion business. Rather, we are seeking to find a new balance between style and function, and one that better serves consumers.