No. 6 (2025): Fashion Technology
Essays

Interoperable Immersive Fashion: VR Ideation to Digital Pattern Prototypes

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  • Holly New,
  • Jon Burgess,
  • Penelope Norman
Holly New
Arts University Bournemouth
Jon Burgess
Arts University Bournemouth
Penelope Norman
Arts University Bournemouth
cover of FH issue 6
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/fh-3755

Published 30-05-2026

Keywords

  • virtual reality,
  • digital fashion workflows,
  • 3D CAD,
  • Immersive design,
  • Garment Development

How to Cite

New, H., Burgess, J., & Norman, P. (2026). Interoperable Immersive Fashion: VR Ideation to Digital Pattern Prototypes. Fashion Highlight, (6), 92–105. https://doi.org/10.36253/fh-3755

Copyright (c) 2026 Holly New, Jon Burgess, Penelope Norman

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

This paper addresses the limited integration of virtual reality (VR) within fashion design workflows, where it is typically used for visualisation rather than creation. Through a practice-led methodology, the study develops and tests a hybrid digital workflow that connects immersive sketching in VR with technical refinement in 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design) software. By translating sculptural garment designs into flat patterns, the workflow enables a streamlined transition from early ideation to production preparation. The method was validated through cross-platform experiments and the creation of physical garments, revealing its potential to improve efficiency, reduce sampling and support more intuitive collaboration. The findings suggest VR’s functionality as a real-time design tool, one that enhances spatial judgement, accelerates feedback and supports sustainable garment development. This paper contributes
a scalable, practice-based model for hybrid digital fashion design that addresses current inefficiencies in design-to-production pipelines. 

Pdf

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