UDGN Designer’s Lab
Five weeks. Six pieces. One fully realised collection.
A 5-Week Intensive Fashion Design & Collection Development Programme
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The UDGN Designer’s Lab is an intensive five-week programme for emerging fashion designers and fashion entrepreneurs who are ready to develop, refine or strengthen their next collection.
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Designed for creatives who want more than an online fashion course, the Designer’s Lab provides a structured environment to develop your ideas, strengthen your design identity and build a cohesive six-piece capsule collection with professional creative direction and feedback throughout the process.
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Over five weeks, you will move from concept and research through design development, collection building, product refinement and final creative direction.
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The programme is open to designers globally and is led by Tare Isaac, fashion designer and Founder & Creative Director of Unity in Design Global Network (UDGN).
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What You Will Develop
During the Designer’s Lab, you will work towards developing:
* A strong collection concept and creative direction
* Research, references and visual identity
* A defined customer and collection positioning
* Colour, fabric and material direction
* Developed silhouettes and design details
* A cohesive six-piece capsule collection
* A balanced and considered collection line-up
* Product development and design refinement
* A clear collection narrative
* Styling and campaign/lookbook direction
* A practical roadmap for completing and launching your collection
Curriculum & Timeline
The 5-Week Design Lab
WEEK 1
Concept & Collection Identity
Build the world behind your collection.
We begin by establishing the creative foundation of your collection and understanding what you want your work to communicate.
You will explore:
* Brand and design identity
* Understanding your customer
* Concept development
* Research and references
* Cultural and personal storytelling
* Moodboard development
* Colour direction
* Fabric and material exploration
* Establishing the design codes for your collection
Outcome: A clear and developed collection concept, research direction and visual world.
WEEK 2
Design Development
Translate the idea into design.
With your creative direction established, we begin translating your research into garments.
You will explore:
* Silhouette development
* Shape and proportion
* Translating references into contemporary design
* Fabric and silhouette relationships
* Signature design details
* Construction considerations
* Developing variation across your designs
* Identifying hero pieces
* Design critique and refinement
Outcome: A developed selection of garment concepts ready to form the foundation of your collection.
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WEEK 3
Building the Collection
Turn individual designs into a cohesive range.
A successful collection is more than a series of good garments. This stage focuses on editing, balance and building a collection that works together.
You will explore:
* Collection architecture
* Building a six-piece capsule
* Hero and commercial pieces
* Balancing silhouettes
* Colour and fabric distribution
* Creating cohesion without repetition
* Identifying gaps within the range
* Editing and strengthening designs
* Developing your final collection line-up
* Customer and commercial considerations
Outcome: A cohesive six-piece collection direction ready for product development.
WEEK 4
Product Development & Refinement
Make the design work beyond the sketch.
This stage explores the transition from design concept into a physical product.
You will explore:
* Sample and toile review
* Fit and proportion
* Fabric suitability
* Construction considerations
* Design feasibility
* Finishing and detailing
* Identifying and resolving design problems
* Refining silhouettes
* Strengthening or simplifying details
* Preparing designs for final production
Designers who already have samples or toiles will be able to bring these into the development process for critique.
Outcome: A clear refinement and product-development direction for your collection.
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WEEK 5
Final Collection & Creative Direction
Bring the complete creative vision together.
In the final week, we review the collection as a whole and develop the creative direction required to take it forward.
You will explore:
* Final collection editing
* Final six-piece line-up
* Collection naming
* Collection storytelling
* Styling direction
* Lookbook and campaign concepts
* Visual presentation
* Production priorities
* Launch considerations
* Your next-stage collection roadmap
Outcome: A fully developed six-piece collection direction and clear roadmap for production, presentation and launch.
​How The Lab Works
The Designer’s Lab is an active development programme, not a passive series of lectures.
Each week follows a practical process:
Learn → Develop → Critique → Refine
Designers will be expected to actively develop their collections throughout the five weeks and bring their work back for review and feedback.
Your programme includes:
* Five weeks of structured collection development
* Live online sessions
* Direct creative direction from Tare Isaac
* Weekly design-development tasks
* Live collection critiques
* Individual feedback on your collection
* Product-development guidance
* Collection-development resources
* Final collection review
* Final creative-direction and next-steps roadmap
Who Is The Designer’s Lab For?
The programme is open to designers globally and from all backgrounds.
It is particularly suited to:
* Emerging fashion designers
* Independent fashion brand founders
* Designers preparing a new collection
* Designers with ideas but struggling to build a cohesive range
* Designers looking to strengthen their creative identity
* Designers who need structure, critique and professional guidance
* Fashion entrepreneurs preparing collections for launch, campaigns, retail, competitions or future showcase opportunities
You should have some existing fashion/design knowledge or already be developing a fashion brand or creative practice.
The Designer’s Lab is not a beginner sewing or garment-construction course.
Your Investment
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Programme Fee: £1,750
The programme fee is payable in full upon acceptance.
Your place on the Designer’s Lab is only confirmed once full payment has been received.
Places are intentionally limited to ensure designers receive meaningful feedback and development throughout the programme.
Ready to develop your next collection?
Five weeks. Six pieces. One fully realised collection.
Important Programme Information
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The UDGN Designer’s Lab is a design and collection-development programme.
The programme does not include physical garment production, fabrics or trims, pattern cutting undertaken on your behalf, photography, campaign production, models, PR, travel, accommodation or a runway/fashion-week showcase.
Participants are responsible for the physical production costs associated with developing their own collections.
Participation in the Designer’s Lab does not guarantee selection for any future UDGN Academy, showcase or external industry opportunity.