Reshaping Garment Design, One Simulation at a Time: How CLO 3D is Overwriting the Fashion Blueprint

In the ever-evolving world of fashion, keeping up with the latest trends, techniques, and technologies is a must for designers and manufacturers to stay ahead of the curve. And now, with the added weight of having to search for more conscious solutions, we begin to question how we can harness the power of the digital to our – and the world’s – benefit.

Transformation has always been part of the fashion industry. It is how it keeps reinventing itself, innovating through the seasons, and ensuring that it, just like a glass pane leading to a point in time, mirrors back the mindset of society. With digital having become such an inescapable part of our lives, having changed almost every aspect of the current landscape, it is interesting to see just how much it has brought to the garment-making sector. Machinery is more efficient and accurate, production procedures are tighter than ever, and cutting back on unnecessary waste, and even fashion design software is bringing a major uplift to how we view the entire conception process. One such software – and the one that we, at Valérius HUB, have been able to make major strides on – is CLO 3D.

CLO 3D is the most complete alternative to the conventional design approach, bringing every must-have tool of the trade into an organised and ergonomic digital workspace. It allows designers to create three-dimensional garment prototypes, allowing for a comprehensive number of customisation options that make simulations more lifelike. Many brands have already started adopting this technology and benefiting from all it has to offer. But exactly what are these benefits we are talking about?

Great workflow, greater results

Traditional garment design involves multiple iterations of physical sampling which slows down the process and reduces efficiency. But with CLO 3D, these hindrances become a problem of the past. Having every resource at your disposal and being able to apply instant modifications to an item, or even experiment with different materials, textures, and colours with no real resource-wise costs creates the perfect conditions to improve work pace. This doesn’t mean that getting used to its layout, tool placement, and workflow will be immediate, however. Much like any other design software, proficiency comes with experience. But once internalised, this software rewards users with a streamlined process, making every iteration run faster and return greater results.

Bolster teamwork and collaboration

Everything goes smoother when everyone rows in the same direction. And with CLO 3D, communication between every collaborator on a given project – namely designers, manufacturers, and retailers - is made even simpler. This allows teams to work together effortlessly, ensuring everyone stays organised and is always on the same page about the product development process.

As real as digital gets

From high-fidelity draping and lifelike movement dynamics, to pixel-perfect rendering and accurate detail simulation, realism is a big selling point for this software. With its advanced 3D modelling capabilities, designers are able to accurately replicate how clothing items would behave in motion, and portray textures and materials in close relation to their actual appearance.

No resources gone to waste

For brands such as ourselves, to whom environmental responsibility and sustainable practices play crucial roles in the integrity of our identity, having the option to create and experiment in what we could virtually call an environmentally-harmless workspace is something we cannot afford to miss out on. By avoiding unnecessary production and fabric sampling and decreasing pollution therefrom stemming, CLO 3D allows us to bring material waste to the bare minimum – something we so untiringly work towards. Setting new standards in our industry isn’t always easy, but there’s no denying that digital will have more of an impact on our sector the more we head into steeper territory.

So, what’s the catch?

While there aren’t really any downsides to this software, there may be a few obstacles one needs to be aware of before getting into digital fashion design. As we’ve mentioned before, and much like any other complex virtual tool, learning how to use CLO 3D to its fullest potential takes time and effort. The learning curve may discourage some designers from taking the leap into this new ground, or even steer manufacturers and brands away from making the switch from traditional design methods since training is most certainly necessary.

Accuracy in the simulation of certain fabric behaviour and complex garment structures may suffer from some software limitations as well. This means that, in some regards, digital replication is still not on par with traditional sampling, indicating that this technology may not yet be fully ready to deal with more intricate finishes and details. But these are minor hindrances in the face of all the commodities, savings and workflow improvements it has in store for brands who choose to adopt it.

A new design approach for Valérius HUB

Our design teams are already taking full advantage of CLO 3D's repertoire of features. From the ease of organising and identifying 2D molds and respectively distributing them on the 3D avatar to the shaping of the main seams and detail, backstitch, and texture application, CLO 3D allows them to minutely replicate each step of the garment design process in a virtual workspace.?

From there, our designers go through draping and finishing adjustments, assembling the complete look, adding personalised footwear and other accessories such as necklaces and earrings, fine-tuning and correcting styling details, and changing colours if needed – all before the final render is done.

This process allows us to take a hands-on approach and merge it with the convenience and intuitiveness of a digital platform, where resources are limitless and each phase of conception is stringed along seamlessly. The video below briefly summarises every stage of the process they go through.

A new world of possibilities

Although a common misconception would lead most to believe that digital fashion has only now garnered attention – mostly due to the rise of the Metaverse –, the fact of the matter is that we can trace its beginnings to as far back as the '90s and 00s, when video games were crossing a new generational line. From then until now, the field has only been growing more and more, and it wasn’t until fairly recently that this market saw its popularity skyrocket. And it’s not hard to see why.

The technology behind 3D garment design is now performing on an unforeseen level of precision and thoroughness, and so far, it does not show any signs of slowing. Its accessibility has even led to a newfound democratisation of fashion design, allowing more people to hone in on their love for the craft and try out their own ideas on a more inviting and approachable canvas. After all, more minds at work means more ideas in the making. As a result, the sector is now as inclusive as ever, but above that, we begin to see a plethora of amazing content sprouting from all around the globe, depicting just how much can be done with software such as this one.

From here on out, it’s hard to tell what software such as CLO 3D might bring to the table, but if we may take anything for certain, it’s that their proficiency, once reached, will change the landscape for the better.

Thank you.

Valérius HUB - Responsible Fashion Makers