Doodle to Drape

From the tip of a lead, or the point of a nib, emerges the embryo of an idea only to evolve into a garment that designers launch, as part of their collections. Is doodling the first stage of a creative factory? We ask designers.

“We are visual creatures. When you doodle an image that captures the essence of an idea, you not only remember it, but you also help other people understand and act on it, which is generally the point of meetings in the first place.” —Tom Wujec, author.

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Doodles are perhaps nothing but visual interpretations of thoughts and ideas. And sometimes, simple doodles transform into a magnificent creation. From this, takes birth another pertinent question, are garments on the ramp, a rendition of the illustrations made by designers? We got a few designers to tell us how they transfer their ideas into doodles and thereon to the final garment.

Priyanka Ella Lorena Lama, P.E.L.L.A

“I sometimes just doodle without any end result in sight, and at other times, I develop the doodle into a proper sketch. Doodling is the best option for me, to put down my thoughts. I sketch directly, when I know what I want clearly in my head. Pencil and paper are my best friends for doodling. But then, I do use anything that I can find—paint, charcoal, colour pencils, paper and eraser! Most of my doodles are an instant thing; and almost all of my fun doodles are smileys. While designing, doodling is an important enabler for creating my patterns. They actually capture my thought process, while the design development progresses.”

Shweta Kapur, 431-88

“I don’t do a lot of doodles. I’m more into doing direct sketches. I generally use my Pilot V5 Hi-Tecpoint 0.5 medium, since it gives me fine lines, making it easier to sketch. I doodle whenever I’m in the mood, and I go with the flow. Talking about doodles, I think the best doodler in the fashion industry according to me, is Karl Lagerfeld. He is just amazing.”

Pallavi Mohan, Not So Serious

“For any kind of design development, doodling is an integral part of the process. Thus, I always prefer to doodle first, in order to get the best of my imagination. Whenever, something inspires me or attracts my attention, I start doodling. And at other times, I doodle, and then create a collection based on that. Even though sometimes, my doodles start to look like poodles. I think, it’s important to have a base and an idea of your design fabric, and for me, they are expressed through my doodles.”

Ruchika Sachdeva, Bodice

“Doodling is something that I anyway do in my mind, when the first idea strikes me. However, I mostly prefer to sketch directly. And when I sketch, I like to use fine liners; they generally give a clean line which allow me to focus on the details. I do doodle once in a while, to focus on my design sensibilities.”

From the January 2021 issue of L’Officiel India.