So ive been working on this hoodie, for a wile and when I say a while I mean years. Its actually the first degin I made on my own but Ill get into that in another post. Needless to say, Its one of my favorite designs that Ive even worn from time to time over the years all the while keeping it safe because I dont have the patterns for it (never throw away patterns when your done). Anyways, recently Ive attemped to revamp it with specific attention to my new found focus on fit.

The picture above to the left is a good representation of the hoodie, now its just less baggy and more tailored. Also many problems, which a photo can easily hide were addressed. After this I can remake the patterns. Then, like the black hoodie, when completed will serve as the blueprint from which will come many variations to be seen in my upcomming collection.

This is officially my first post. I must say it is well over due. I originally wanted to get this blog going about a month or two ago just in time for the summer but due to a little procrastination and me being a perfectionist here we are in August. That being said, I'm definitely ahead of the game at least two weeks worth of posts. Over the next month, I'll try to update at least every other day to make up for lost time.

So lets get this started. Ill begin with one of my current projects:

Thats me getting my model on above in a Hooded coat design sample I made. When I took these pictures, I had just completed fitting the garment. One of the most important steps in my design process is what I like to call the "FIT TEST". Not to downplay the work I did prior because in reality, the whole process often begins with an idea, sketch and/or some basic coat patterns, but it isn't until I actually have a garment in hand that the real work begins. In fact, the majority of the actual designing takes part here as I have free range to experiment, make mistakes and learn from them. I can easily make adjustments on the fit, and test different details such as pockets by marking the garment as needed. Sometimes not one seam of the coat is left untouched,or at least inspected from front to back.

If I had to explain the process in short, I'd equate it to a rough sketch for an illustrator or 1st draft of an essay. Only the cheapest lightweight fabric (muslin)is used of course or what ever scraps I can find. Depending on the complexity of the design and how much work needs to be done, it can take anything from couple minutes, to hours. As you can see it definitely isn't a pretty process but very important. Once Im satisfied with the fit and design details Im ready to move forward to the next step.

Think P.Diddys "Making The Band" meets "Project Runway" except only in blog form and Im the sole contestant competing against myself. The contest: to make the best collection of clothing I can. Hopefully, this blog will be a fraction as popular as these shows are and you will be one if its regular viewers. All analogies aside, I'm basically an aspiring fashion designer and this is my blog where you'll find some of my thoughts and my creations.

Why the name "Designs on Deck"? Well it does have a nice ring to it, i.e. "stacks on deck",(or any of one of the millon slang phrases to end with the words "on deck") but more importantly, I do actually have a lot of design concepts and personal projects at various stages(i.e. on deck)which have been gradually coming together over the past few months. All thats left now is to introduce them to you.

Whatever the final result may be and whether you like the designs or not isn't the main focus. Rather, my passion for design and the work I put in behind the scenes is what I intend to showcase in this blog. It is more about the overall creative process than the actual creation.

Fittingly, most of what I post over the next month will be rough,unfinished and perhaps even silly to some but its all a part of my design process. Just roll with me and you will see where it all ends. If I had my own way, I'd be presenting in New York fashion week this fall/winter. Who knows? I could happen but at the least, Im sure this blog will serve as something all designers can relate to.