Spotlight on Textile Designer: Erin McDermott

Hand drawn paper dolls by Erin McDermott

Networking and interdisciplinary understanding are so important in the fashion industry so today I started a Spotlight Series to show how technology in fashion is not just focused on business planning, but rather the entire design process.

The first post focuses on Erin McDermott, a very talented textile designer with a concentration in print design.  While she loves print design and her freelance work, she has also studied and interned at Free People in their apparel design department.  I asked a few questions to dig deeper into what inspires her and how technology influenced her work and her industry.  All illustrations are hand drawn by Erin. 

Inspiration sketches and color swatches that are used in the design process.

SQ: First off thank you! So what lead you to chose the textiles profession?

EM: I have always loved sewing and creating my own things. I studied fashion design for a year and realized my best work came from a great textile. A lot of my work was made from re-purposed materials (old couch cushions, my great aunt scarves, brother’s baby curtains, etc.). While at school I was introduced to textile design. Being able to create my own fabric for my designs was something I never thought of before.

SQ: Well, your work is amazing! What inspires you?

EM: Most of my inspiration comes from people I meet. And I can always find inspiration from children’s street style. There are no limitations with their clothing, really anything goes. There is a lot of freedom and fun with how they dress and I like to emulate that whimsical and sort of unexpected feeling in my work.

More floral inspiration sketches

SQ: As you said, you have a lot of experience in different fields, so what would you consider your dream career?

EM: My dream career is to be my own boss. If that doesn’t work out I would love to work for a children’s clothing company. I enjoy a lot of different areas of design and would like to work in any sort of design position. As long as I am able to work with my hands using lots of color and printed material I will be happy.

SQ: Finally, can you explain how technology might be important in textile design?

EM: Without technology, textile design would be limited.  Especially in print, there are so many tools and machines that transfer hand done work into materials.  Technology speeds up the process and expands capabilities.

As shown in this print, technology allows for Erin's hand drawings to be repeated into a beautiful print.

For more information, portfolio work and contact information, visit Erin's site www.erinmade.com
Thanks a lot Erin, keep up the amazing work!

Technology Can Transform the Operational Backbone of Fashion

            This article is an opinion-based piece that focuses on the integration of enterprise related technologies in businesses.  Today, in the fast paced fashion world the need for companies to have seamlessly correct information on the back end of the business is crucial to the success. The article starts by stating that PLM (product lifestyle management) systems were first implemented by the automobile industry but was quickly adapted to the fashion industry.  While the transition was necessary, the innovations along the way have not been keeping up.  This is mainly due to the costs and time restraints that most companies cannot sacrifice.  It becomes more of a detriment to fashion companies.  When the complexities of the fashion industry evolve, the author stresses the importance of making these systems and the updates standardized. 

            I feel this is so important because I have seen in the past the downfalls of an outdated PLM system that can cause difficulties in communication.  When systems work well, the company runs well.  I believe that every fashion company should invest time and money in a proper PLM and ERP system to avoid the headaches and financial liability of miscommunication.

Mullon, Eddie. "Technology Can Transform the Operational Backbone of Fashion."    The Business of Fashion. BOF, 05 Apr. 2015. Web. 06 Apr. 2015.

Nine West Canada Launches “Pick Your Pump”

            The “Pick Your Pump” program for Nine West sounds like a great business plan to cater to the shoe-loving girl.  The benefits and drawbacks of the program need to be evaluated in order to see how well it will do.  The major benefit and Nine West’s focus is on the customization of the shoe.  The trend in the industry is no longer to fit in with the same colors and fabrics, but to stand out.  This is directly speaking to that in that the customer can chose her own colors and fabrics based on a certain shoe style.  I believe that this is the strongest aspect of the program.  In addition, the company benefits from less liability in a lower stock level, as shoes are made to order.

            With that being said, the one major drawback I see in the “Pick Your Pump” program is the lead-time.  They have compared this program to the custom and iconic Manolo Blahnik shoe brand, sold for over $600.  Nine West does not have the Manolo Blahnik customer.  That customer will pay that price for the customization, but also the craftsmanship, and will wait for it.  The Nine West girl is the average working female who is willing to only spend the $120 on heels.  Shoes to her are disposable and come and go with the trends.  The “Pick Your Pump” program hits the price point and the customization point, but misses on the timing.  Why would a woman wait 6-8 weeks for average quality shoes, even if they were the specific color she wished for? 

            I believe that the technology used to customize these shoes is important and I do see the benefits of the program.  In the short term, it was smart of Nine West to debut this program in a small way only in Canada licensed stores.  The margins generated from implementing this technology will be beneficial for Sherson Group and Nine West in Canada.  However, as a Nine West customer, I may hold off on ordering my custom shoes until the technology to have them in a week, rather than 6-8 weeks, hits the market.  Until then, I may just save my money to one day buy custom Manolo Blahniks and have them forever.

Mogg, Kirsten. "Nine West Canada Launches." My Private Brand. My Private Brand, 03 Dec. 2014. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.

The Future of Fashion: Download File and Print

I especially liked this article from Forbes because the author, Tara Brown, wrote from her perspective.  I was also once a teen learning how to sew in middle school who made horrible pajama pants.  Introducing the article in this way made it much more relatable especially when speaking to a complex topic like e-textiles and wearable technology.

In addition, the article gave a great overview of how simple the industry is becoming due to advances in wearable technologies, 3D printing, laser cutting and 3D scanning.  Any little nuisance that was once experienced as a pain does not have to be anymore with this technology.  The example Tara Brown gave was the situation of losing buttons, whereas now with technology we can scan the button and print a new one instantaneously.  Also, the importance of collaboration was also something I personally took away from the article.  The idea of computer programmers becoming fashion designers and vice-versa is important to the direction of the industry.  Working together is the first step in creating beautiful technologically made garments or pieces, and it makes the task less daunting and more lucrative. 

The links she added in were also great in exploring these different technologies and can be used for future reference.  All in all, I related very well to this article.  While most traditional aspects of the industry will not change in the near future, looking into new technologies to change the ugly pajama pants I also once made in an instant is groundbreaking to a once very traditional industry.

Brown, Tara. "The Future of Fashion: Download File and Print." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 11 Mar. 2013. Web. 22 Feb. 2015.

Nike News: Nike Football Illustrated

What makes Nike different and more successful than most companies is its ability to innovate in ways beyond just changing the product.  The article shows that their innovation and creativity are a long process with many trials and errors.  However, what I find interesting is Nike’s ability to get in the mind of the consumer and give them products they knew they needed but did not realize.  An example of this is the first football cleat that had the ability to perform on multiple surfaces.  In order to discover this, Nike has to balance between super innovative and new materials and products and selling to their consumer.  Their use of new materials such as the Flyknit shoe is an example of giving the consumer what they need to perform their best, super lightweight sneakers, and implementing the newest technology, a knitted shoe.  Other companies have not found this balance and as a result, Nike soars ahead of the competition.

"Nike Football Illustrated: A Timeline of Game-changing Innovations." Nike News.      NIKE, Inc., 29 Jan. 2015. Web. 09 Feb. 2015. http://news.nike.com/news/nike-football-illustrated-a-guide-to-game-changing-innovations

What technology means to me

To say that technology has affected my life in a positive way is an understatement.  As a millennial, I have grown up around technology, and it has shaped how I live my life.  Something as simple as a tweet or post on social media has become one of the most influential sources of news and information for a growing population myself included.  With the growth of social media and real time technology like smartphones and mobile devices, this is becoming more and more commonplace.  My generation will always consume their information this way to some extent, but as we are growing, we are changing the technology field as we move along with it.

Technology is used in more than just the spread of vital information.  Advances in real time technology have accelerated businesses and their successes.  In the retail and fashion industry, transactions and the exchange of money, information and reports creates the opportunities for fashion companies to better know their customer and sell them products in the most simple and easy ways.  On the other hand, technology in the medical field has created the opportunity for a longer livelihood.  Therefore, people are experiencing the ease of living a life with the crutch of technology, and are living longer, healthier and more up to speed life.  I believe that this is a good thing, and I have embraced the benefits of using technology to the best of my ability.