Top 5 Digital Fashion Software for Designing the Ultimate Try-On Experience

The fashion industry, valued at 3 trillion dollars, transcends global borders. Given its substantial focus on apparel design, this sizable industry tends to generate significant production waste through excessive sampling and design repetition, ultimately transitioning towards virtual forms and the Metaverse. In response to this environmental concern, specific 3D fashion design software has emerged, facilitating a more sustainable approach to clothing design and waste reduction.

Kristina Vilyams
Bootcamp

--

Digital Fashion by Printemps. After creating its virtual store and producing its first NFT drop, Printemps is continuing its foray into Web3 with the launch of its virtual fashion brand on printemps.com

The world of digital fashion design has witnessed a remarkable transformation, courtesy of cutting-edge fashion design software. These powerful tools have become indispensable for designers, offering a dynamic range of features that streamline the creative process, enhance efficiency, and bring imagination to life. In this article, we will delve into the transformative impact of fashion design software and introduce you to the five best tools, empowering both experienced designers and aspiring enthusiasts to explore the realm of fashion design.

Fashion design software is more than just a graphic design tool; it’s a revolutionary force in the clothing design industry. It has redefined the creative process by enabling designers to visualize their ideas before bringing them to life. Through digital tools, designers can experiment with styles, fabrics, and colors effortlessly, pushing the boundaries of traditional design methods. These tools also contribute to the development of the try-on experience in the modern world of AR fashion. The software has ushered in a new era of efficiency, reducing the time and effort required to create prototypes and allowing for quick edits and modifications without the need for physical samples. Additionally, the incorporation of 3D modeling capabilities has eliminated the necessity for physical prototypes, enabling designers to iterate and refine their designs with unprecedented efficiency.

Digital Fashion by Printemps. Courtesy of Printemps

In Q3 of 2021 alone, NFT sales in the digital fashion realm amounted to a staggering 10.7 billion dollars, as reported by BoF. A noteworthy 50% of U.S. consumers are expressing a growing interest in digital assets. Over the past year, approximately 72% of the U.S. population has ventured into the realms of virtual worlds. In the online universe, the fashion-centric platform Roblox boasts an impressive 1.2 million interactions.

Forecasts from fashion experts envision that a remarkable 15% of our future wardrobes will exist in digital form. Further underlining this trend, the global Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) market are projected to reach an impressive 30 billion U.S. dollars by the year 2027. These statistics paint a vivid picture of the burgeoning influence and undeniable potential of digital fashion in shaping the future landscape of the industry.

Tribute sells digital-only clothes that can be added to outfits. Tribute Brand is a multi-brand platform they envisioned, with the hope of onboarding the fashion crowd to Web3. Photo: Courtesy of Tribute

Here are the top 5 fashion design software tools that can help to unleash your creativity:

1. Marvelous Designer — Best for Making Patterns.

Marvelous Designer stands out for its pattern-making and 2D design features. Boasting a robust cloth simulation engine and options for remeshing and retopology, it offers a unique approach to creating 3D character models. The 30-day free trial and flexible pricing plans cater to a range of design needs.

2. CLO 3D — Best 3D Garment Design Software.

CLO 3D takes the spotlight with its interactive and intuitive 3D CAD solutions for fashion design. Specializing in 3D modeling for sewing pattern creation, CLO 3D provides a wealth of options for color schemes, styles, and sizing. The free trial option and flexible pricing plans make it accessible for both students and individual designers.

3. Browzwear — Best for Creative Developers in Fashion Designing.

Browzwear emerges as a 3D fashion design software catering to creative developers. With advanced 3D modeling capabilities, realistic fabric simulation, and virtual fitting features, Browzwear enables designers to create lifelike digital garments. The software is free for freelance designers, making it an attractive option for creative minds in the fashion industry.

4. WGSN — Best for Staying Updated with Fashion Design Trends.

WGSN takes a different approach, focusing on consumer and design trends. With a global perspective and insights from over 440 in-house experts, WGSN provides trend forecasts for various product categories. While it comes at a subscription cost of $3,000 per year, the benefits of staying ahead in fashion trends make it a valuable investment for designers.

5. ZBrush — Best for Sculptor’s Sanctuary in Clothing Design and 3D Rendering.

ZBrush takes its stand as a standout contender among the top-tier clothing design, 3D rendering, and modeling software dedicated to the realm of apparel. This extraordinary modeling tool not only facilitates seamless texturing and painting but also emerges as a valuable asset within the ever-evolving landscape of the fashion industry. Distinguished by its advanced features, ZBrush caters to the seasoned user, providing a sophisticated platform for digital creativity. You can pair it with Marvelous Designer for better results. For individuals, the price is $39 per month billed monthly, or $29.91 per month billed annually.

The world of fashion design has undergone a profound transformation, propelled by the emergence of digital tools. In the ever-evolving landscape of the industry, the choice of the right software becomes a crucial factor in translating a designer’s vision into a vibrant reality.

Irrespective of whether you’re a novice designer or an established luminary in the field, embracing these cutting-edge tools proves instrumental in streamlining your creative process, amplifying ingenuity, and paving the way for a journey toward success.

--

--

Product designer & Augmented Reality Developer. Pioneering AR fashion and interior. Featured in Architectural Digest, Elle Australia, Yahoo. kristinavilyams.com