Defining ‘Croquis’

Feature Article in Fashion by Casey Kettleson / February 8, 2010
In honor of fashion Week (which is practically upon us) we'll be running a short series of posts designed to help you understand the language of fashion a bit more. Today we start with a personal favorite: croquis.

(Left to right, Fall 2010 designer sketches above from Jason Wu for TSE, Yigal Azrouel, Nicole Miller)

croquis: from the French word meaning simply “sketch” – pronounced crow-kee

A quick and sketchy drawing of a live model. Croquis drawings are usually made in a few minutes, after which the model changes pose and another croquis is drawn. Croquis drawings can be used as foundations for other works of art such as paintings or may be used as works of art themselves.

In fashion, the term refers to a quick sketch of a figure (typically 10 heads tall as this is the accepted proportions for fashion illustration) with a loose drawing of the clothes that are being designed. Often a large number of croquis drawings will be created for one finished look, which is fully drawn and finished.

Used in a sentence: While I absolutely love physical clothing, the designer's croquis always pique my interest more.Designer sketches and croquis definition fall 2010 tibi, yigal azrouel, nicole miller, jason wu for TSE, GStar, Paris68)

(Left to right, Fall 2010 designer sketches above from PARIS68, GStar, TIBI)

Have a fashion term you'd like us to define? Tell us by making a comment below...

Comments

Holly Artz
I kinda always wanted to know where "pret a porter" came from. I know it means Ready to wear but where did the saying originate? Holly Artz 7 months ago
Emily Kropp
so enlightening! thanks casey Emily Kropp 7 months ago

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