When we think of how a garment is made before it hits the runway, we often only think of the designer or the seamstress constructing the piece. However, there are many more talented individuals behind the scenes who contribute to the successful creation of a fashion collection. This includes the print designer, product developers, garment technologists, pattern cutters and more! There are many more career opportunities hand on with the garments than you imagined. Today we will be discussing the role of a Garment Technologist, what their role consists of and how to become one.
So what is a Garment Technologist?
A Garment Technologist works closely with the design team and the factories who source fabrics or even production. They act as a communicator between the factories and the fashion company they work for. As a specialist on all things, from pattern cutting to fabric choices and fittings, they need to know all the details to ensure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. They are responsible for the coherent fitting of a garment and the quality and performance of the piece. As a practical and hands on role, they ensure the construction of a garment runs smoothly and to the fashion houses expectations and values.
What does being a Garment Technologist in fashion require of you?
This practical role determines a garments measurements and construction flow by working with many teams to produce toiles of a garment. A toile is the original prototype of a garment made from cotton muslin, before mass producing or even consulting one important couture piece. This ensures the pattern pieces work together correctly, the overall size is correct and the garment looks as planned. As a garment technologist an important part of the role is directly dealing with factories globally to communicate feedback from your fashion house. Deeming the correct consistent sizing is crucial part of the role. As consumers rely heavily on trusting a brands sizing is coherent across a whole collection. A technologist also handles tech packs a lot by updating them with fitting comments and spec information. A tech pack has all the important information and spec drawings the design and construction team needs, to construct a garment correctly. A huge part of the role is constantly working collaboratively across the buying, design and technical teams, to produce high quality garments.
The daily tasks in fashion construction
Behind the scenes of the runways, a lot goes into the construction of each and every garment. This includes a lot of daily responsibilities for the garment technologist. Everyday will not look the same as they go along the production line and the garment is complete. Tasks and responsibilities change along with the stage of the garment. However as a technologist you may even be working on more than one collection at a time. The main responsibilities are, overseeing fabric testing’s, checking sample fittings, selecting suitable fabrics and suggesting any relevant changes to pattern pieces.
Most days they work closely with the design teams to ensure everything is running smoothly. A lot of their time is also taken up with maintaining relationships with the factory suppliers. A day could often look like, evaluating the quality of fabrics, checking out a final garment, ensuring all technical data in up to date, and creating tech packs. Which guarantee the correct fabric and trims will be briefed to suppliers and designers.
What skills do you need to become a Garment Technologist?
It is crucial to have a deep understanding of the garment production method, including the manufacturing and design process. You will also need a clear understanding of textile properties, quality fabrics and garment grading. Attention to detail is key. As you work quickly to collection deadlines you need a sharp eye on everything from sizing, mistakes, quality. It’s important to have a creative yet analytical approach to keep the brands creative view and heritage, while producing high quality garments. They are advanced in MS Office including Excel to stay organised and track contact of suppliers or tech packs.
A garment technologist is a natural when it comes to pattern cutting. They will have strong technical experience in everything from grading and construction to production requirements and pattern amendments. It’s also important to have soft skills such as self-motivation and initiative, as they need to respond quickly to errors or changes in the collection designs. As they work within a team a lot, a garment technologist needs to be a team player who can motivate and give feedback to designers, suppliers and seamstresses. It is also essential to specialise within a sector. From luxury to high street or men’s tailoring to jersey or womenswear. As fashion houses and brands will want someone with experience in their sector.
To get started in such a role, you need experience. It all comes with practise in such a practical role. It is best to begin your career as a pattern cutter to learn the ins and outs of constructing a garment and being in the environment where a garment is made. Studying fashion design or construction will also help you gain the skills you need to understanding construction and fabrics. You can also start learning now. Take online courses, watch YouTube videos, start gaining a basic understanding of garment construction or learn software’s you need such as Excel.
Want to learn more about the different roles in the fashion industry? Our latest article in the careers series was on Social Media Management.
