Visual and textural elements in garment design: Pleats and drapeler

It is known that draperies and pleats, which have important influences on clothdesign in visual and textural manner, were being used in so many civilizations? clothesfor centuries. However, within context of retro (return back) which shows its effect onpresent fashion, the importance of considering draperies again and seriously increases.It is obligatory to examine the interaction between pleats-draperies and clothdesign elements-cloth design principles which draperies and pleats are seen as designdetails in textural point of view.One of the main aims of this study is to determine the types and productiontechniques of draperies and pleats that are currently used, and to shed light ondeveloping new techniques and aesthetics.With Greek, Odysseus, Goddess themes which stamped over last years fashion,influences of Greek and Roman clothing culture has highlighted, and this was reflectedin present fashion designers? collections, each one has interpreted draperies and pleatsdifferently. Nine fashion designers who had highlighted draperies and pleats in theirdesigns were emphasized and it is highlighted that how these designers utilized fromthose and influences on clothes were highlighted.The research that was studied has shown the result that the importance whichwas given textural factors in clothes will increase more and more because of the reasonthat increasing desire to be different and giving spiritual meanings to the clothes.Research study was enriched with visual examples from beginning to the end, and triedto be clear. To achieve these collections of Haute Couture and Designer Brands whichwere affected most from draperies and pleats were scanned and were analyzed.Designer collections that were found in www.wgsn-edu.com, www.style.com,www.firstview.com were scanned from Spring/Summer 2000 to Spring/Summer 2006and a database was formed. A visual analysis for every collection chosen from thisdatabase was performed. Within examined 160 collections, effective usage of draperiesand pleats were seen in nine fashion designers? works. Also since textural details such aspleats and draperies add so many positive values to the clothes both functionally andaesthetically, the necessity of broadening of usage of them and increasing the variety ofthem was highlighted.