How’d They Make That? – University of Fashion Blog

New York Trend Week Fall 2025 – Christopher John Rodgers (Picture credit score: Fashionista.com)

For those who’re a fashionista like me, watching runway reveals throughout trend week at all times will get me considering, “how’d they make that”? Then I ask myself, “let me see whether or not we have now a lesson at College of Trend for that individual design element, approach or silhouette”?

Throughout New York Trend Week Fall 2025, I used to be not solely impressed with the work of designer Christopher John Rodgers, however noticed many design particulars, strategies and silhouettes that we are able to train you how you can create.

SHAWL COLLAR

Scarf Collar by Christopher John Rodgers’ (Picture credit score: Fashionista.com)

Scarf collars are at all times a stunning design element when used on blouses, attire, jackets and coats. Now we have the right lesson to show you ways: Drafting a Shawl Collar & Variations.

REIMAGINED BALLOON SKIRTS

Picture of Christopher John Rogers’ balloon skirt silhouette

The balloon, bubble or puffball skirt is outlined by its voluminous silhouette and has appeared in several trend eras particularly throughout the 80s. This time it’s again with an amorphous, extra inventive edge. Discover ways to drape this look in our lesson: Creative Draping- Strapless Taffeta Dress.

RUCHING & WAIST GATHERS

Christopher John Rodgers’ ruched bodice & waist gathers (Picture credit score: Fashionista.com)

Ruching is a design approach that includes gathering cloth alongside a seam to create texture or dimension. Studying what the suitable gathering or shirring ratio for a specific cloth is vital to the end result. These UoF classes will present you ways ruching is completed on a bodice and how you can plan for gathers on the waistline: Creative Draping – The Art of Ruching and Gathered Skirt with Waistband.

BIAS COWL & HIP WAIST GATHERS

Picture of Christopher John Rogers’ bias cowl neckline & hip waist gathers (Picture credit score: Fashionista.com)

Mastering the bias minimize is an artwork type. Understanding which materials, when minimize on ‘true bias’, create one impact, whereas ‘garment bias’ creates one other. These are matters coated in our lesson, Bias Cowl Blouse.  The ideas of making a gathered hip waist look contain shirring ratio and gathering strategies. These expertise are coated in our lesson, Yoke Dirndl Skirt.

Hopefully these pictures and lesson solutions won’t solely demystify varied strategies, however will encourage you to create your personal variations primarily based on Christopher John Rodgers’ brilliance.