Fashion Blogs

Nicole Giordano is a textiles and accessories designer who writes the intersection of fashion, technology, and social media, offering her experience and expertise to you.

Sustainable Fashion | Image via Flikr/Abigail Doan

You’re starting a new line and, sensitive soul that you are, you’re considering going sustainable. Well good, I love hearing that. But is “green fashion” is a valid business maneuver or just a fleeting marketing angle? Do customers and retailers really buy into sustainability yet

Image via Flikr/bobbinsandbombshells

Know your fabrics. It’s a point I can’t stress enough. As a designer, understanding the different qualities of textile structures like chiffon and charmeuse, georgette and crepe, organza and gazar (I
could go on…) should be at the top of your list. I’m sure you think you know the difference, but there’s always room for improvement. Designers contact me daily asking for a fabric, and then
look bewildered once supplied because it’s not what they had in mind. This

Young designers—at the risk of insulting you, it amazes me how many of you don’t have the first clue about buying fabrics. I mean, your fabrics are the cornerstone of your designs and making sure you can get your hands on them for production before you make your samples, is essential. Why did you create that beautiful dress with a yard of novelty fabric that you picked up at the flea market last summer? Do you think that the 100 yards you need for production will just apparate magically? Praying

Nicole Giordano is a textiles and accessories designer who writes the intersection of fashion, technology, and social media, offering her experience and expertise to you.

Sustainable Fashion | Image via Flikr/Abigail Doan

You’re starting a new line and, sensitive soul that you are, you’re considering going sustainable. Well good, I love hearing that. But is “green fashion” is a valid business maneuver or just a fleeting marketing angle? Do customers and retailers really buy into sustainability yet

Image via Flikr/bobbinsandbombshells

Know your fabrics. It’s a point I can’t stress enough. As a designer, understanding the different qualities of textile structures like chiffon and charmeuse, georgette and crepe, organza and gazar (I
could go on…) should be at the top of your list. I’m sure you think you know the difference, but there’s always room for improvement. Designers contact me daily asking for a fabric, and then
look bewildered once supplied because it’s not what they had in mind. This

Young designers—at the risk of insulting you, it amazes me how many of you don’t have the first clue about buying fabrics. I mean, your fabrics are the cornerstone of your designs and making sure you can get your hands on them for production before you make your samples, is essential. Why did you create that beautiful dress with a yard of novelty fabric that you picked up at the flea market last summer? Do you think that the 100 yards you need for production will just apparate magically? Praying