New York Fashion Week Fall 2025 – Christopher John Rodgers (Image credit: Fashionista.com)
If you’re a fashionista like me, watching runway shows during fashion week always gets me thinking, “how’d they make that”? Then I ask myself, “let me see whether we have a lesson at University of Fashion for that particular design detail, technique or silhouette”?
During New York Fashion Week Fall 2025, I was not only impressed with the work of designer Christopher John Rodgers, but saw many design details, techniques and silhouettes that we can teach you how to create.
SHAWL COLLAR
Shawl Collar by Christopher John Rodgers’ (Image credit: Fashionista.com)
Shawl collars are always a gorgeous design detail when used on blouses, dresses, jackets and coats. We have the perfect lesson to teach you how: Drafting a Shawl Collar & Variations.
REIMAGINED BALLOON SKIRTS
Image of Christopher John Rogers’ balloon skirt silhouette
The balloon, bubble or puffball skirt is defined by its voluminous silhouette and has appeared in different fashion eras especially during the 80s. This time it’s back with an amorphous, more creative edge. Learn how to drape this look in our lesson: Creative Draping- Strapless Taffeta Dress.
RUCHING & WAIST GATHERS
Christopher John Rodgers’ ruched bodice & waist gathers (Image credit: Fashionista.com)
Ruching is a design technique that involves gathering fabric along a seam to create texture or dimension. Learning what the appropriate gathering or shirring ratio for a particular fabric is key to the outcome. These UoF lessons will show you how ruching is done on a bodice and how to plan for gathers at the waistline: Creative Draping – The Art of Ruching and Gathered Skirt with Waistband.
BIAS COWL & HIP WAIST GATHERS
Image of Christopher John Rogers’ bias cowl neckline & hip waist gathers (Image credit: Fashionista.com)
Mastering the bias cut is an art form. Understanding which fabrics, when cut on ‘true bias’, create one effect, while ‘garment bias’ creates another. These are topics covered in our lesson, Bias Cowl Blouse. The principles of creating a gathered hip waist look involve shirring ratio and gathering techniques. These skills are covered in our lesson, Yoke Dirndl Skirt.
Hopefully these images and lesson suggestions will not only demystify various techniques, but will inspire you to create your own variations based on Christopher John Rodgers’ brilliance.
