Fabrics are obviously an essential part to fashion design and there are numerous options to choose from. Ever since I was little, I loved watching Project Runway and my favorite episodes have always been the ones that contestants take a trip to Mood Fabrics and decide what materials they want to use for their creations. Many designers are known for using certain fabrics in their designs and it becomes a staple that they become famous for, such as Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Missoni, Hervé Léger, etc.
The first brand that came to my mind when discussing fabrics, findings and trims in class was, Chanel. Coco Chanel made the luxury brand popular with the classic suits, which are usually made with solid or tweed fabric with custom gold buttons, patch pockets, a beautiful trim and more. A lot went into creating the iconic Chanel suit, which eventually became a fashion symbol. Since 1983, Karl Lagerfeld has incorporated beautiful fabrics and embroidery in all his designs for the fashion house.
But there are several fashion designers that use certain fabrics in their collections, which eventually made the brands famous, including Dolce & Gabbana. This luxury Italian fashion house has always incorporated sheer materials, such as lace, tulle, and chiffon to create a sexy look for their collections. Dolce & Gabbana also uses a lot of fabrics with embroidery and prints. Some of their beautiful designs are even handprinted on dresses and accessories. Dolce & Gabbana always has amazing fabrics for all their designs, in every collection!
The purpose of fabrics, findings and trims is to be functional and decorative, which all designers keep in mind when designing their collections. This is something that designers have always had to think about, looking back to designers such as Sonia Rykiel, who was known for all her soft knitted sweaters and dresses. She earned the title of “Queen of Knits” in the late 1960s. A lot of hard work goes into creating beautiful garments.
“What I find modern is the balanced use of both traditional fabrics and new textiles. It’s the idea of combining well-known quality with new surfaces that makes them exciting.” – Helmut Lang
Sources:
Beyond Design Third Edition Chapters 6 & 7
aliquintero.com 
