MASTERING FIT

YOU ARE EQUIPPED WITH CORRECT BASIC SPECS, A TECH TEAM, PATTERN DRAFTING PROGRAMS AND EVEN INVESTED IN CUSTOM DRESS FORMS. YET YOU CANNOT SEEM TO ERASE REPETITIVE FIT PROBLEMS AND REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF SAMPLES TO GET A STYLE APPROVED TO TOP…

Invest in the area that the giant leaps in technology over the last decade have left unnourished: HUMAN SKILLS. Patternmaking has taken a shift towards measurement based adjustments that ignore human form, functionality, and lack an emphasis on flattering fit. Although the speed of the business does not allow time to talk about the “beauty” of a design anymore, when your customer sees it, they instinctively recognize it. Ultimately, when a customer purchases a garment it's not for practical reasons, but they feel they need it, because they LIKE IT.

Our workshop is a start-to-finish approach that throughly addresses the repetitive fit problems you encounter in tops, bottoms, dresses and outerwear and how to solve them. Keeping in mind functionality, while properly translating fit intent and achieving the level of flattering fit your customer base requires. Money and time loss due to repeated rejected samples - returns, discounts, mark-downs, and exchanges - can be prevented in the beginning sample development stages.

The key is focusing on balance and tracing drag lines to its source addressing them simultaneously as one. Then referring back to flat specs as a secondary step. Knowing how to apply these principles result in a more efficient and seamless development process, reduced miscommunication and exchanging samples back and forth, increased sales and brand loyalty due to flattering fit and aesthetic consistency, and speed-to-market capabilities others struggle with.

FIT AFFECTS EVERY PART OF THE APPAREL LIFE CYCLE, from design intent execution and functionality, development time and production schedules, to retail sell through & e-commerce returns.

“PERFECT SPECS DO NOT EQUAL

PERFECT FIT”

THE FORMAT...

• One-Day / Over 8 Hrs of lecture

• Small groups of 10 attendees to allow fluid participation

• Fit issues addressed on a professional fit model (live demo)

• A step-by-step approach: Starting with a live fitting, followed by visuals that clearly explain how the corrections pinned on the sample apply on the flat pattern (before and after), and how they relate back to specs.

• Q&A sessions throughout the day

• A 1/2 hour follow up one-on-on video call to address additional questions with the instructor

WHAT'S COVERED...

• Quickly identifying fit issues

• Throughly understanding balance, how it affects accurately measuring a garment, fit problems, and how to manipulate it in order to achieve fit intent (using gravity to your advantage)

• Addressing fit corrections in the proper order (not all issues can be adjusted simultaneously)

• Tracing wrinkles and drag lines back to its source.

• Step-by-step pattern corrections to the most common fit issues

• Expected level of functionality and movement, and the typical questions that arise during fittings in its regard.

• Training your eye to understand fit intent and execute designs the flattering aesthetic your customers expect. How these specific design and construction "tricks" apply to pattern development and translate into a beautiful garment.

• Establishing a common language guaranteed to minimize specs vs. fit miscommunication despite language barriers.

• Tech packs and POMs. Key information you must always discuss with your client in order to set yourself up for success. Partnering with them to develop a realistic level of expectations in the workload required on their end, in order to achieve superb results.

YOUR RETURN ON INVESTMENT...

• An incredibly cost effective option to hiring a consultant to streamline your development process and increase sales. We know from first hand experience your challenges and have developed the most comprehensive program at a fifth of the cost of flying a fit expert and an American fit model to your factory.

• Dramatically reduce development time in communicating back and forth with your clients - as a common language is established and verbal barriers fade into the background through clear visuals.

• Lower your sampling costs - fabric, CMT, Shipping and overall manpower - getting styles approved at earlier stages (as major fit issues and design intent are properly addressed at 1st fit)

• Minimize rejects, cancelled orders and discounts, and returns and markdowns at retail level. 60% of online sales is due to fit.

• Increase your speed-to-market capabilities as your development time shortens.

• Elevating your product, not just executing, provides the type of leverage over your competition that translates into increased sales and customer loyalty. When a consumer recognizes a good fit, they stick with it.

• As Ecommerce grows, fit is recognized as being of strategic importance. investing in strengthening your team's skills with the essential tools is to keep up with today's industry.

• Reduce waste and environmental impact! Less samples and carbon footprint generated from shipping back and forth.

• If you are an American Tech Designer, you not only leave with priceless skills and knowledge, but also join our professional network where we refer you for job opportunities, and guide you for continued success after completion.

THIS IS NOT AN INTRO TO PATTERN MAKING/tech. WE PROVIDE THE ONLY PROGRAM IN THE WORLD DEVELOPED FOR TAKING INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

about the instructor

Alejandra Kolyvakis

FOUNDER /CREATOR of Mastering Fit

Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to an Architect father and a Writer mother, Alejandra grew up watching her grandmother sew on her old Singer, drawing with her sketch artist grandfather and browsing her parent's extensive art book collection. As a result of a family where art and creativity was at the core of life, she followed the same path moving to L.A. in 1995 to attend LA Trade Tech College. There she graduated on the Dean’s List with a double major degree in Fashion Design and Fashion Technology.

It was at LATTC, mentored by Mrs. Helen Armstrong - author of the world renowned book "Patternmaking for Fashion Design" - that she developed a deep understanding of measurement vs. form. While expressing to Mrs. Armstrong her discontent with measurement based flat pattern drafting, she received a profound lesson that completely shifted her view on the process. Mrs. Armstrong suggested she "forget her book", and think of patternmaking as art "where you sculpt a one dimensional media - the fabric -, into a 3-d form - around the body".

Later on, she also studied Experimental Draping and Patternmaking at Central St. martins in London, where she was taught non-traditional draping techniques, along with effectively translating deconstructed drapes into production patterns without sacrificing vision. As a result, it is Alejandra's effortless merging of her designer's eye for aesthetically pleasing lines and in-depth technical knowledge as a simultaneous thought process, that sets her apart.

As Design Director, she conveys this train of thought to junior designers as key for them to think through ideas as they sketch. When leading fittings, her hands-on approach clearly demonstrates how corrections relate to the flat pattern as pieces of a puzzle, working closely with PMs and tech teams how to solve the most intricate adjustments to overseas factories.

With 25+ years of industry experience and having worked with a wide range of labels, such as Ralph Lauren, Joie, Paige, Berdorgf Goodman, Halston, C&C California and fast fashion brands such as Nasty Gal, and Forever21 to name a few, she found that the problems arising during her fittings were repetitive across all markets. Through her approach bringing new light to those issues, she often found herself being asked by colleagues to create a course teaching not only challenging pattern corrections that go beyond specs, but also to train their eye for flawless design execution.

Recognizing a need for bridging the communication gap often found between design, patternmakers, tech teams and factories, in 2014 she created the concept for Mastering Fit.