Fashion Development Process
Here’s a peek into how I take an idea and turn it into product - from trend research and moodboards to CADs, tech packs, and sample fits. This process is hands-on, creative, and built to sell. The lines I develop don’t just live in concept - they’re pitched through trend decks and seen by some of the world’s best brands, who use them to update and inspire their assortments. It’s fashion development with purpose, and it’s been the heart of my career so far.
Market Research & Trend Analysis
I begin each season by immersing in market research - capturing store tours, social media trends, and consumer behavior. I build moodboards and gather market tears to visualize emerging themes, then curate color palettes and material directions that reflect both aesthetic and functional goals. This phase lays the foundation for concept development and guides every creative decision that follows.
Sample from SS27 Trend Presentation
Sample from SS27 Trend Presentation
Theme & Color Palette Curation
I craft seasonal themes from trend insights, translating moodboards and market tears into clear narratives. Each theme is supported by a curated color palette using Pantone references to ensure consistency across design and development. These palettes reflect emotional tone, performance needs, and brand identity, guiding material selection and product storytelling.
Brief Outline of FW27 Development Process for "Pastime" Theme:
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Line Planning & Creative Direction
I build line plans that strategically balance function, trend, and storytelling across cold weather knit accessories. Each assortment is shaped by seasonal themes and consumer insights, covering silhouettes like beanies, balaclavas, earflaps, and headbands. I define key item stories, material usage, and color flow to ensure a cohesive offering that meets both performance and lifestyle needs.
Define trend theme
Build working board
Source materials
Material order based on color cards/ palette
Create line plan for team outlining silhouettes, construction details, materials, colors, etc.
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CAD Design
Using Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop, I develop detailed CADs that bring headwear, knit accessories and trim concepts to life. I design seasonal styles and brand-specific requests - customizing silhouettes, colors, and yarns to align with each customer’s identity. This phase merges my creative eye with technical accuracy, ensuring designs are visually compelling and production-ready.
3D CADs for The North Face - Shima Seiki Virtual Sampling Software
Construction Callout Samples - M88 Dev. (Left) evo F26 Dev. (Right)
Tech Pack Creation & Factory Communication
I create detailed tech packs that include CADs, construction notes, measurements, BOMs, and material specs - ensuring clarity and precision for production. I maintain direct communication with factories to review details, answer questions, and troubleshoot development challenges, supporting a smooth transition from design to sample execution.
Product Sample Instruction/ Tech Pack for Skida F26
Fit Comments for Peak Performance F25
Communication with M88 & Factories (Based in Asia)
Sample Fit & Development Feedback
I review samples for specs, fit, and construction - providing clear, actionable feedback to factories. Through annotated fit photos and detailed comments, I guide revisions to ensure each style meets design intent, performance standards, and brand expectations. This phase is key to refining product quality before final approval.
F27 Trend Deck Sample - The North Face & Arc'teryx's accessory design teams each credit this presentation for being the best trend deck Madison 88 has shared in their years of partnership.
Final Presentation for Brand Review
At the end of the development process, I build seasonal trend decks that showcase the original product line we created - highlighting key styles, themes, color stories, and material innovation. These decks are used to pitch to brand partners, who review the designs and select styles to update or incorporate into their own assortments.
This process page is more than just a breakdown - it’s a reflection of my career so far. From trend decks to tech packs, I’ve been hands-on with every step: dreaming up ideas, building product, and pitching it to brands who bring it to life. It’s fast, creative, collaborative, and always evolving.