Apparel Designing and Construction

Apparel Designing and Construction 3(1+2)

Lesson 10 : Emphasis, Harmony and Unity

Effects of emphasis

The emphasis in the garment design produces physical and psychological effects as follows:

• Physical effects: The emphasis in design centres interest of observer to a specific point on the body or body part of the wearer. So it should be created at the point where one wants to and to an extent such that it produces desired interest in the garment design. One of the basic reasons to wear garment is to enhance the beauty of the wearer. The emphasis enables fulfillment of the desire to look beautiful in a dress in two ways one by focusing the attention of the observer at the attractive feature of the wearer and other by diverting the attention from undesirable characteristics. The face of an individual is observed first and for most of the time. Hence, it is considered as safest option to focus centre of interest in the garment. This can be done by highlighting the neckline by its shape or by using contrast facing or trim or accessory around the neck. Likewise narrow waist among women can be highlighted by creating the emphasis at waistlines by using belts or bows and the biceps among men by keeping the sleeve length short.


• Psychological effects: The emphasis in the design can be utilized to create specific mood in the dress like sophistication or gracefulness or sportiness or casualness. Thus emphasis play important role in projecting the personality characteristics of the wearer. The use of curved lines suggests soft graceful mood; this can be achieved through the use of sinuous and supple texture or pastel colours or draped design lines.