Fashion Inside Out: Daniel V's Guide to How Style Happens from Inspiration to Runway and Beyond by Daniel Vosovic
Pre-Order on Amazon ($19.77, available Oct 28th)
Daniel Vosovic's Web Site
Daniel Vosovic's Project Runway Blog
This interview is an excerpt of my interview with Daniel V on the CRAFT Blog.
I think most of you know by now how much of a Project Runway junkie I am. My favorite season has to be Season 2, since that's how I've come to know over the years Diana Eng and Chloe Dao. Now, I am extra excited to get a chance to talk to another Project Runway Season 2 alum, fashion designer Daniel Vosovic. Daniel's got a brand new fashion book due out next Tuesday, October 28th aptly titled, Fashion Inside Out: Daniel V's Guide to How Style Happens from Inspiration to Runway and Beyond. First off, the book is beautifully designed with gorgeous photography. Yet, it's more than just a book to look through -- it's really a comprehensive guide on how to create your own fashions -- from inspiration and design, to the technical process of pattern-making and sewing, and finally selling your work to a client and taking it down the runway. Interspersed in the book are Q&A's from industry professionals too. I love the many tips that Daniel adds throughout the book from drawing croquis to great pressing techniques for various fabrics. My favorite section if I had to choose, is "The Execution: Creating a Garment" where he discusses the "rub-off" technique -- a way to create patterns for your garment with out having to start from scratch. You'll also learn a lot about draping, something I've been interested in knowing more about for a long time. I could go on and on about this book but you'll just need to see it for yourself! There's really never been such a fashion design book like this before. It's an inspirational guide + reference book that will help any crafty fashionista take their design and sewing skills to the next level.
Natalie: Your new book, Fashion Inside Out, is one of the most comprehensive books on the fashion design process I've ever read. What was the inspiration behind writing it?
Daniel: A huge inspiration was the fact that I had never seen anything else like it on bookshelves... anywhere. Having gone through years of structured design education, I was taught many things by many different designers and professors, but a lot of my education focused more on technique, rather than how to harness an actual idea and growing it from there. Without getting too philosophical, I wanted to provoke people into creating something solely from an idea's conception, or at least showing them how I do it.
Natalie: How do you find inspiration before you design a collection?
Daniel: I have to sort of turn a visual and mental valve in my head on and off. I wish I could wander around month after month simply spitting ideas out left and right, or scribbling in my notebook, but eventually I reach a time in the design process where I need to "shut it off" and focus on moving the design forward.
Natalie: If you could narrow it down to two, what in your opinion are the key sewing or production techniques that every aspiring designer should know?
Daniel: Knowing how to alter/check your own patterns for necessary alterations: armhole ease, cap adjustment, twisting seams, etc. Also, knowing how to use a seam ripper properly - I couldn't live without mine when I first began haha!
Natalie: How would you describe your experience being on Project Runway?
Daniel: Exhausting but fruitful. If anything, at least I can sit down 30 years from now and have amazing memories documented of a very intense experience in my life.
Natalie: Are there any new or upcoming projects you are working on that you can share with us?
Daniel: Aside from working on this book since June 2007 and heading out on a national book tour, launching a successful clothing line for over 150 NYLO Hotels that consists of sleek men's and women's separates as well as a handbag & luggage line, the continued groundwork of my own label (launching soon!), the occasional dress for young Hollywood, collaborating with different TV shows like Lipstick Jungle, weekly blogs on bravotv.com and of course the obligatory dress for a family member or friend in need... no, that's about it. :)
I'm just anxious to get back into a design room and get this book in your hands already!
Read more of Daniel's answers here at the CRAFT Blog where he answers questions from CRAFT magazine readers and enter your change for a FREE copy of Fashion Inside Out (Deadline for giveaway is Saturday, Noon PST).
