Fast fashion, or mass production of cheap clothing, contributes to textile waste, water and microfiber pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil degradation on a global scale.

To combat the rapidly changing trends pushing consumers to make the latest purchases, many practitioners and professionals are turning to 3D garment visualization as a sustainable alternative.

“It’s the future of the creative process,” explains fashion designer and educator Roxoanne Bagano-Dizon. “We use a 3D program to make clothes. We use cutting-edge technology to simulate clothes and let avatars wear them.”

Bagano Dizon, who owns an atelier that specializes in bespoke garments for weddings, debuts and formal events, emphasized that 3D garment visualization also fosters creativity.

“All changes can be made with the click of a finger. You can edit the fit by making adjustments in the 3D environment,” Bagano-Dizon elaborates. “These garments are as good as they are physical.

Clothing designer, graphic artist and illustrator Zak Gonzaga adds that this innovative approach simplifies the process. “Technology has made it possible to see what a piece of clothing will look like even before it’s actually produced.

“The design is so close to the real thing that clients can easily decide what to get,” added Gonzaga. “You can know exactly how much raw material you need instead of buying it in advance.”

At De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s fashion design and merchandising program, Gonzaga and Bagano Dizon share their knowledge and expertise as fashion educators to train the next generation of style innovators. Incorporates 3D technology.

This technology requires a device such as a laptop or desktop, an ancillary device such as a tablet, and a subscription to CLO, one of the most advanced, intuitive and cohesive 3D clothing design software.

3D visualization of clothing is well known on the international scene, where it is incorporated into the curriculum of global fashion schools. Similarly, industry giants such as Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein and DVN are also investing in digital design.

“Digital fashion designers are currently in high demand, and skills in 3D visualization of garments are a must,” says Bagano-Dizon. Gonzaga, on the other hand, added that a background in computer design would be an advantage. “Programs like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator are stepping stones to start learning 3D clothing programs,” he says.

“It’s the future,” Gonzaga said. “It’s the next best thing to the invention of the sewing machine.”