The Essential Fashion Design Apps Every Designer Needs

As a fashion designer, I'm always on the lookout for the latest and greatest tools to streamline my workflow and bring my creative visions to life. In today's digital landscape, having the right apps in your arsenal can make all the difference in taking your designs from concept to reality.

Let me share with you my top picks for the must-have fashion design apps that have completely transformed my design process.

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is the industry standard for creating technical sketches, flat drawings, and detailed tech packs. This versatile vector graphics software allows me to meticulously map out every construction detail, from sleeve types to necklines, ensuring my designs are crystal clear for my manufacturing team.

What sets Illustrator apart is its scalability - you  can create illustrations at any size without sacrificing quality or resolution. This is particularly useful when working on large-scale projects or when I need to provide high-resolution files for printing or digital use.

Moreover, Illustrator integrates seamlessly with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps, allowing you to streamline your workflow and collaborate more effectively with my team. From importing Photoshop files to exporting print-ready PDFs, Illustrator simplifies every step of the design journey.

Remember, aving a strong command of Adobe Illustrator is crucial for success in the industry. It's a skill that is highly valued by employers and clients alike, and one that I continue to hone and refine with each project I tackle.  I use Illustrator to meticulously map out every construction detail, from sleeve types to necklines, ensuring my designs are crystal clear for my manufacturing team.

If you're looking to take your fashion design career to the next level, investing time and effort into mastering Adobe Illustrator is a must. With its unparalleled capabilities and industry-wide recognition, this app is a true game-changer for any designer looking to create stunning, technically sound designs that stand out in the competitive world of fashion.

Vogue Runway

Most people rely heavily on the Vogue Runway app to stay inspired and ahead of the curve. With access to over 1 million runway images from the world's top fashion shows, spanning over 12,000 collections and 100 seasons, Vogue Runway is a treasure trove of cutting-edge inspiration.

The app operates like a runway RSS feed, delivering fashion show images to my iPhone or iPad mere minutes after the first model struts down the catwalk. But it doesn't stop at images; the app also includes reviews of collections by Vogue.com's team of esteemed critics.

What sets Vogue Runway apart is its comprehensive coverage. It doesn't limit itself to the major fashion capitals like New York, London, Milan, and Paris. Instead, it extends its reach to international Fashion Weeks across the globe, encompassing cities such as Berlin, Stockholm, and Tokyo. All you need is an iOS device and an internet connection to be the first to witness the latest looks from around the world.

The app's visually appealing interface makes it easy to navigate and explore the latest collections. I can categorize shows by season, with an archive dating back to 2000 covering ready-to-wear, couture, pre-fall, and menswear seasons, or by an alphabetical list of designers.

For iPad users, the experience is even more immersive. Tablet users can delve into every aspect of the show, from backstage snapshots to front row sightings, beauty highlights, and collection details, providing a comprehensive backstage pass to the fashion action.

The latest update to the app includes a robust Street Style section, featuring street style fashion from fashion week and other events. This allows me to not only draw inspiration from the runway but also from the streets, where real people put their own spin on the latest trends.

And the best part? It's completely free. So why wait? Download it now and dive into the world of fashion!

WGSN

WGSN is the world's leading trend forecasting and analysis service, providing invaluable insights to fashion designers and brands around the globe. As a fashion forecaster, WGSN has been an indispensable resource in my design process.

Founded in 1998 in West London by brothers Julian and Marc Worth, WGSN was acquired by Ascential, a business-to-business publisher and exhibitions company, in 2005 for £140m.  In 2013, WGSN merged with its biggest competitor, Stylesight, further strengthening its position as the industry's premier trend forecasting service. 

In 2024, WGSN was acquired by Apax Partners, a global private equity advisory firm, for £700m, solidifying its status as the global authority on consumer trend forecasting. 

WGSN's comprehensive suite of products and services includes 9 different subscription offerings, such as WGSN Insight, WGSN Fashion, WGSN Interiors, and WGSN Beauty, as well as a custom advisory business called WGSN Mindset.  The company also offers specialized tools like Coloro and TrendCurve+ to help clients make data-driven decisions.

What sets WGSN apart is its global reach and expertise. With offices in London, New York, Hong Kong, and São Paulo, the company has a deep understanding of consumer behavior and market trends across diverse regions and cultures.  This allows WGSN to provide its clients with accurate, forward-looking insights that enable them to develop products and services that truly resonate with their target audiences. 

As a fashion designer, I rely on WGSN's trend forecasting capabilities to anticipate consumer needs and develop collections that stay ahead of the curve. Their team of industry experts analyzes data, consumer insights, and market intelligence to identify emerging trends and predict future consumer behavior. This invaluable information allows me to make informed decisions and create products that are not only stylish, but also in high demand.

Whether you are looking to stay ahead of the latest color and material trends or gain a deeper understanding of shifting consumer preferences, WGSN is an indispensable tool in my design arsenal. Its comprehensive, data-driven approach to trend forecasting has been a game-changer in my ability to deliver collections that consistently exceed my clients' expectations.

Clo 3D

When it comes to 3D design and visualization, CLO 3D is my go-to app. I love being able to see my garment designs come to life on a virtual 3D model, allowing me to test the fit, drape, and movement of the fabric before a single stitch is sewn. This capability is a game-changer for streamlining my design process and reducing costly sample iterations.

CLO 3D streamlines communication, accelerates iteration, improves fit, enhances creativity, and integrates seamlessly - transforming the collaboration between fashion designers and patternmakers for greater efficiency and better end products.

Marvelous Designer

Marvelous Designer is a powerful 3D garment design software that offers a range of advanced features to streamline the creation of realistic fabric simulations and garment prototypes. 

Here are some of the key features that make it an indispensable tool for fashion designers and 3D artists:

Realistic Fabric Simulation

• Marvelous Designer excels at creating highly realistic fabric simulations, from delicate chiffon to structured denim.
• The software uses a physics-based approach to accurately model the drape, movement, and interaction of fabrics.
• This allows designers to visualize how different textiles and patterns will translate in the real world.

Intuitive Pattern Creation

• Marvelous Designer offers an intuitive interface for creating 2D garment patterns that can be sewn together into 3D garments.
• The software includes tools for adjusting pattern pieces, adding seam allowances, and defining sewing lines.
• Designers can experiment with unlimited shapes, prints, and colorways digitally before finalizing patterns.

Sculpting and Remeshing

• Marvelous Designer includes sculpting tools for refining the shape and fit of garments in 3D.
• The software also offers remeshing capabilities for optimizing the topology of simulated garments.
• These features enable designers to achieve precise control over the look and feel of their creations.

Substance Integration

• Marvelous Designer integrates with Substance, a popular material creation software.
• This allows designers to create and apply realistic fabric textures directly within Marvelous Designer.
• The integration streamlines the workflow and ensures a seamless look between the fabric simulation and texture.

Auto-Fitting

• Marvelous Designer's Auto-Fitting tool enables designers to quickly adapt generic character costumes to fit specific models.
• This saves time and effort compared to manually adjusting patterns for each individual character.
• The tool is particularly useful for projects involving multiple characters or rapid prototyping.

With its intuitive interface and powerful simulation capabilities, Marvelous Designer continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in the world of 3D fashion design.

Sewport 

Sewport is a digital platform connecting brands with clothing manufacturers and suppliers, assisting in the production process from sketch to final product 

With secure escrow payments, quick quotes, and tools for sample & patternmaking, the platform is a one-stop solution for all clothing production needs.Sewport is designed to assist small and medium fashion brands in launching a clothing line by offering a modern online platform for easy supplier sourcing, production management, and cost reduction.

With over 7200 brands utilizing Sewport, the platform effectively links brands with verified manufacturers, lowers manufacturing costs, and enables direct communication between users and suppliers.

Sewport also provides project management software, communication tools, and access to rated manufacturers for a smooth clothing manufacturing experience.

Tailornova

Tailornova is an online 3D fashion design software that enables users to easily and swiftly create unlimited designs. Tailornova users range from the DIY Sewing Community, Fashion Students, Fashion Merchandisers, Clothing Boutiques, Tailors & Dressmakers, Indie Designers, Apparel Brands, Pattern Retailers, to Specialty Apparel Manufacturers.The app provides instant smart fashion design templates, allowing users to generate original designs with a single click in seconds.

The app’s intuitive design allows me to input measurements and get precise patterns that are ready to cut and sew. Tailornova has significantly cut down my pattern-making time, giving me more room to focus on the creative aspects of design.

Tech Authority 

Tech Authority is my go-to for staying updated on the latest in fashion technology. This app offers articles, tutorials, and reviews on the newest tools and software in our industry. Staying informed about technological advancements has helped me integrate cutting-edge techniques into my designs.

Digital Fashion Pro 

Digital Fashion Pro is a fantastic tool for creating professional-grade fashion sketches and designs. Its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features have made it a staple in my design toolkit. With Digital Fashion Pro, I can create detailed and accurate representations of my ideas.

Users can access a free trial of Digital Fashion Pro to experience the software and design their own clothing even without drawing skills 

The pricing for Digital Fashion Pro is $199.00, offering features like training, digital fabrics, and customizable clothing templates 

Fashtory

As a fashion designer, I'm constantly on the hunt for unique textile and trim inspirations. That's where Fashtory comes in - it's a digital fabric library that puts a world of materials at my fingertips. I can browse through thousands of high-quality fabric swatches, filter by color, texture, and composition, and even order samples directly through the app.

Fashtory is more than just a fabric directory; it's a networking platform designed specifically for fashion professionals. The app allows me to connect with other designers, models, photographers, and industry experts, opening up invaluable collaborative opportunities to expand my professional network and find new inspiration.

The Fashtory app gathers emerging brands from around the world, providing users with access to unique and one-of-a-kind fashion finds. Whether I'm at home or traveling, I can explore the global fashion scene through the app's curated directory, discovering niche brands and designers that I wouldn't have otherwise stumbled upon.

By connecting with independent and indie designers, Fashtory offers me a direct line to the latest collections and contact information, empowering me to forge meaningful relationships and uncover the most cutting-edge fashion trends.

In an industry that is constantly evolving, Fashtory has become an indispensable tool in my design process. Its comprehensive fabric library and collaborative networking features have allowed me to stay ahead of the curve, source unique materials, and forge valuable connections that have elevated my work to new heights.

Valentina

Valentina is an open-source pattern-making software that has been a game-changer for designers on a budget. Despite being free, Valentina offers powerful features for creating custom patterns, making it an invaluable addition to my design process. I can experiment with new ideas without worrying about the financial burden.

Valentina is an open-source pattern-making software tool designed to simplify pattern creation and adjustments. Named after Roman Telezhinsky's mother, a cutter by profession, the project was started in 2013 by Roman Telezhinsky and Susan Spencer. The main goal of the project is to support small-scale and custom garment production for a sustainable future in the textile industry.

In 2017, the project was divided into two separate projects, Valentina and Seamly2D, due to differences in development approaches, user roles, and community contributions. This division allowed each project to focus on its specific strengths and cater to different user needs.

Valentina enables designers to create and model patterns of clothing using individual measurements, blending modern technologies with traditional methods to provide a unique pattern-making tool. This combination of new and old techniques makes it an excellent choice for designers looking to create professional patterns based on customer measurements. The software supports over 50 pattern-making systems, making it popular with designers of contemporary clothes as well as the historical recreation community.

As an open-source and free software, Valentina offers a range of features for precise pattern creation. It allows designers to vary measurements to create desired patterns, making it easy to adjust designs for different body types. The software is available on multiple operating systems, including Windows, MacOS, and Linux, and is supported by a global community of developers and users.

Valentina is a very powerful tool that has revolutionized the way I approach pattern-making. Its unique blend of modern and traditional techniques, combined with its open-source and free nature, makes it an essential part of my design workflow.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the fashion design apps that have become indispensable tools in my creative workflow. By leveraging the power of technology, I'm able to streamline my design process, enhance my creative vision, and bring my collections to life in ways I never thought possible.

So, fellow fashion designers, I encourage you to explore these apps and see how they can transform your design journey. Trust me, your future self will thank you!