Episode 2:

Interview with Designer, Danielle Windsor

In this episode we are joined by Danielle Windsor, a designer who not only has her own brand but has worked as a designer all around the world

Black Knit with SAIL Silk Monogram Scarf

Since receiving a full scholarship to study at Domus Academy in Milan working on briefs with Versace and Ter et Bantine, Danielle Windsor then moved to Amsterdam and worked in the amazing Viktor & Rolf atelier.

She was then head hunted for ZARA and swiftly moved to Spain spending three years designing knitwear and wovens, travelling the world on research, resource and design trips. This luxury and commercial experience put her in good stead to move into a role as the Pre Collection Designer at Matthew Williamson back in London where we both met about 10 years ago and have been working together at various brands ever since. Since then she has become a freelance womenswear designer working across multi product and is also a creative consultant working in London and internationally with clients including  ZARA, Beulah London, Calvin Klein, Hauser and Wirth and the Sydell Group. On top of this she is also Creative Director of her own luxury fashion brand Yaitte which is created around the idea of travel for the consumer

BEAM yacht noir styled with our CONVOY patchwork jumpers.

You can find Danielle’s work for her own brand Yaitte on their website, or their instagram page.
Or you can reach Danielle directly on her Linkedin page.

Is there a topic you’d like us to cover? We’d love to hear from you! Contact Kathryn and Caroline directly with any comments / feedback on fashionhalfcut@gmail.com. Alternatively you can reach out on instagram @fashionhalfcut.

Subscribe to our blog for the latest episodes and bonus blog posts!

Episode 1:

Understanding Pattern Cutting and the Fashion Cycle

In this episode we answer that burning question that you all ask….
“What the hell is a PATTERN MAKER?!”

How we describe our job:

“Clothing is made up of flat puzzle pieces that come together and make a 3d form…these pieces are called a pattern, and a pattern cutter is in charge of deciding the shape and size of those pieces and how they fit together.”

The Fashion Cycle, in brief:

  1. Design brief or sketch from the designer to the pattern cutter
  2. 1st Pattern development
  3. Give the pattern to the cutter to cut the fabric
  4. Machinist sews up the sample
  5. Toile is complete
  6. Fit the toile with the designer and decide on what amendments to do
  7. 2nd pattern development…Altering the pattern based on the fit
  8. Real sample development – repeat cutting and sewing
  9. Sample goes down the runway or lookbook/photoshoot/presentation
  10. Sample goes to sales and showrooms, where external buyers put in orders
  11. Production development based on sales/orders- Sample fittings, pattern alterations and Pre-production (PP) fittings
  12. Grading – ready for factories – patterns and fabric sent to factories for production
  13. Shipping, QC and shop floor

Is there a topic you’d like us to cover? We’d love to hear from you! Contact Kathryn and Caroline directly with any comments / feedback on fashionhalfcut@gmail.com. Alternatively you can reach out on instagram @fashionhalfcut.

Subscribe to our blog to keep up to date with our latest episodes and bonus blog posts!