You can get very good at making CLO3D look impressive without becoming particularly useful in a product development workflow.

In this episode, I'm talking about the difference between knowing the software and knowing the garment, and what I'd actually focus on if I wanted my CLO3D skills to hold up long term.

I take you back to how I first learned CLO3D by accident in 2019, while studying for my Masters, and how being self-taught (rebuilding patterns from my own collection rather than following bits of tutorials) shaped the way I now think about learning any new fashion technology.

In this episode:

• Why software knowledge is the easy part to catch up on, and garment knowledge is not
• Learning to diagnose a problem in CLO rather than just following a tutorial
• The three things I'd tell anyone starting out with CLO3D right now
• Where I still use AI tools like the Pattern Drafter and AI Pose Generator, and why I never skip checking their output
• Why the tools will keep changing, but the judgement behind them won't

Whether you're a designer, technical designer, pattern maker, product developer or student, this episode is about building the fashion knowledge that lets you adapt as CLO3D, and whatever comes after it, keeps evolving.

Follow The Fashion Toolbox Podcast so you don't miss the next episode, and connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram to let me know what you'd like covered next.

The Fashion Toolbox Podcast is back, with a new focus on digital fashion, 3D, AI, product development and the skills shaping the future of the industry.

In this re-introduction episode, Laura shares why the podcast is returning, how the fashion skills gap has changed, and why technology is most valuable when it is supported by real garment knowledge, clear workflows and human judgement.

Expect practical, honest conversations about digital fashion without the fluff.

How do you get into the modelling industry? How can you build your portfolio? How can you market yourself and What skills do you need to give you the edge?

Erica Mulkern, experienced dancer and model joins me on the show this week to answer all of these questions & much more!

Website: http://ericamulkern.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erica.mulkern

Twitter: @EricaMulkern Instagram: ericamulkern

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericamulkern/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfePlUy-h_ZZCAXzMrURxUw

What is Product Lifecycle Management? What is it used for in Fashion? How will it help you to do your job? Is it worthwhile learning?

Here to help me answer all of these questions and help us to understand how PLM can benefit us in the Fashion Industry as we proceed into the new digital age is Dr Jo Conlon.

Dr Jo Conlon is a Lecturer in Fashion Business at the University of Manchester and Programme Director of the on-campus fashion business programmes. In 2019, Jo completed a Doctorate in Education (EdD) investigating how digital technologies can reshape fashion business education. Jo has over ten years’ experience teaching Fashion Business within Higher Education. Prior to this, Jo worked extensively within the supply chain of Marks and Spencer as a Technical and Sourcing Manager. Her research centres on the enabling role of digital technologies on knowledge management, learning and change within organizations. Jo has also received funding for two Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) projects to implement emerging and enabling technologies making her the perfect guest to discuss this topic with you all.

Jo has written many papers on the benefits of PLM, some of which can be located as below:

Conlon, J. (2020). From PLM 1.0 to PLM 2.0: the evolving role of product lifecycle management (PLM) in the textile and apparel industries. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management: An International Journal.DOI: 10.1108/JFMM-12-2017-0143

Conlon, J. (2019). How PLM Drives Innovation in the Curriculum and Pedagogy of Fashion Business Education: A Case Study of a UK Undergraduate Programme. In Product Lifecycle Management (Volume 4): The Case Studies (pp. 171-183). Springer, Cham.

For further research, as suggested it is highly recommended to check out The Interline https://www.theinterline.com/ & sign up to their fabulous newsletters!

What are internships and apprenticeships? Should I do internships while I am at University? What is a sandwich year? What will I learn on an internship? What is the difference between an internship and an apprenticeship?

Here to help me answer all of these questions and much more this week is Alice Turner, Alice is a Design Team Leader responsible for the print methods & processes at a renowned print and embroidered merchandise company. She has a passion for textile print and embroidery as well as a keen creative eye for detail. Alice completed a variety of internships through her placement year at University which gave her a fantastic insight into the industry and the skills required to succeed.

Alice completed her apprenticeship at the Textile Centre of Excellence in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire (UK) who offer a variety of industry focused apprenticeships and courses, you can find out more here: http://textilehouse.co.uk/

What is 3D in the Fashion Industry? How will it improve the current processes? What is anthropometry? How will 3D in Fashion improve fit? What is the difference between Made-to-Measure and Bespoke Fashion and how will this link to 3D?

The list of questions for such a new development to our industry could go on forever, luckily I have the amazing Emma Scott with me on this weeks Podcast, here to answer all of these questions and so much more!

Emma is a bespoke garment designer and pattern-engineering consultant driven by a desire to improve garment fit. Thirty years of bespoke garment design, master pattern-making skills, M-T-M manufacturing experience, anthropometric research, and software development, give her a unique perspective on the workflows and processes required to automate virtual garment design and improve garment fit.

What better candidate to share their vast experience, knowledge and passion with you all?!

To read more about Emma's amazing work, please visit her website at: https://fashionshouldempower.ca/

What skills do I need as a Fashion Buyer? What will the role entail? Is there any software I should learn? How do the roles of a Fashion Buyer and Product Developer interlink? How is the role of a Buyer going to change post-Covid?

Here to help me answering all of these questions and delving into the world of a Fashion Buyer and Product Developer is Michelle Nevshehir, Michelle is a experienced Fashion Buyer with a passion for Commerciality, Product and Sustainability and is the perfect guest to share her experiences and advice with you all.

Find out more about Michelle & connect with her here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-nevshehir/

What is a garment technologist? What skills and knowledge do you need for this role? How do you build a portfolio for a garment tech role?

In today's episode, I am joined by Garment Technologist Niamh Hill. Niamh currently works for one of the UK's largest online retailers and is here to answer all of these questions and much more, including tips and tricks for building your portfolio and landing your dream job!

A great book mentioned by Niamh to support with learning pattern grading is 'Grading for the Fashion Industry: The Theory and Practice' by Martin Shoben and is available to buy from Amazon here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grading-Fashion-Industry-Theory-Practice/dp/0953239519/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=pattern+grading&qid=1596123817&sr=8-10