The Journey of a Dress – From Concept to Closet
Every Eki Silk dress tells its own unique story – but have you ever wondered about its journey before it drapes your body magically? From a designer’s sketchpad to a garment that makes you feel fabulous, each dress undergoes a fascinating transformation. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the intricate process that brings our dresses to life.
Spark of inspiration
The journey begins with the print idea and the story for that season. The print inspiration derives from nature, culture or travel, always with an African touch. This initial spark leads to mood boards filled with colours, textures, and imagery that define the theme of the collection.
Sketching the design
In our creative process, the print design often guides the direction of each garment. We would like to say there is always a clear concept in mind however this isn’t the case. It’s very much a trial and error to see what works best – playing around with many variations until we’re inspired to go with what goes on to become the print.
Once the initial sketches are complete, they are digitised, and the prints are carefully layered onto the garment templates. This step is crucial – it allows us to assess the colour, scale, and positioning of the print in the garment. It’s a dynamic, hands-on approach that transforms the print concept into beautifully balanced designs.
Sampling
We often hand over the digitised design template to the sampling team with confidence, expecting it to translate perfectly into the final garment. However, what looks flawless on screen doesn’t always work in the toile – a crucial stage where the design is tested before cutting into the final fabric. Here, adjustments are made to refine the fit, tweak the proportions, and ensure the design aligns with the vision. Only after these meticulous changes do we create the final patterns and finish the samples.
Showcasing the creation
Once the samples are done, we then display them at a fashion show. This allows us to showcase the pieces and get feedback. It’s a crucial stage, as it gives us an idea on which pieces are most likely to be best sellers.
Production and quality control
After the show, we take orders and start the production. We also, based on the feedback we have received, pick a few pieces we run production on to share online. Every stitch, seam, and product placement is checked meticulously to meet our standards.
Joining your beloved wardrobe collection
Finally, the dress makes its way into your hands and it’s now ready to become part of your story. You might wear it to a special event, a casual outing, or anywhere your heart desires, bringing Eki Silk’s vision full circle.
The soul of our Eki Silk dress
Our dress is more than just fabric and thread – it’s a combination of creativity, craftsmanship, and African storytelling.
Next time you slip into an Eki Silk dress, remember it’s not just fashion; it’s art, culture, and a small piece of African storytelling brought to life.