Forecasting: Fashion & Trends

Definition: flats (technical flats, tech sketches, flat drawings, flat sketches) - Specialized two-dimensional drawings, drawn to scale, that may show design details and include sewing and construction information; black & white drawing of garment as if laid flat. (from Technical Sourcebook for Designers and Designers Nexus)

Flats can be found in the following databases (FIT username & password required):

WGSN (Fashion)  : 

• From Menu, select 'Design Resources' and then under 'Design Components' select > 'CADS/Flats'   Refine your choices by Category, Market, Classification, Keywords, and/or Season/Month.  OR
• From Menu, select a 'Fashion categories' (such as Womenswear); then, by season, 'Future Trends' to find flats in 'Key items' and 'Design Development' sections as well as under 'Product Development'.  OR
• Use the search box to find flats:  type in search term (e.g. bra) and change drop-down from 'All Content' to 'Image & Design Library'.  Perform search and then 'refine search'  under Category to 'Flats Library'

Doneger  :

• Select 'Publications' tab; then 'Design Workshop'

Fashion Snoops :

• Select Graphic Library:
  • Select 'Sketches' and 'Click to view.' Scroll down to view or Refine search, if desired, with 'Market', 'Sketch type', 'Related keywords.'
  • OR set 'Search for' to 'Sketches' and add search term for item (e.g. bra); note that you can refine your search by 'Market', 'Sketch type', or 'Related keywords'.  OR
• Select tab for category (e.g. 'Women')
  • Select tab for 'Sketches' (works for most categories)

Remember to cite your source, whether it's for an image or text. For help, see the Citing Sources: MLA Research Guide.

Definition: Mood boards, storyboards, scrapbooks - consisting of a collage on an actual or virtual board including any or all of color/palette selections, material swatches or photos, runway photos,  flats, silhouettes, sketches, mood images, etc., organized around a season and/or theme.

Use the following databases to create online moodboards (FIT username & password required).

Fashion Snoops :

• Select 'Create' and log into your Fashion Snoops account. First time users: select 'Create your ID' to create personal username and password.  Use your FIT email address as your username.
• Select 'My Projects' and 'Start a new project'