In The Making: SZN’26, Phase 1 Episode 1: Inside My Fashion Process
- Where I Begin As A Fashion Designer
- A Story Before the Stitch
- From Boutique to Factory Ownership
- The Fabric-First Fashion Process
- How Fabric Sparked the Fashion Process
- Sourcing in the Digital Age
- Visualizing the Fashion Process
- Scaling Down to Stay Focused
- What Comes Next in the Fashion Process
- Final Thoughts on my Fashion Process
- FAQs
Where I Begin As A Fashion Designer
Every fashion collection starts somewhere, and for SZN’26 of In The Making, it begins with emotion, reflection, and raw creativity. In this docuseries, I invite you into my world as the designer behind Nouveau Riche Apparel and owner of Riche Stitch to see the full fashion process unfold.
A Story Before the Stitch
This season is more than a collection. It’s a journey through hardship and healing. After years of personal growth and challenges, this new chapter brings a meaningful narrative to life. The Spring/Summer 2026 collection tells a deeper story…one that captures both where I’ve been and where I’m heading.
This episode highlights:
- The emotional start of the new season
- How pain and purpose inspire design
- The significance of producing my first full collection under Riche Stitch
From Boutique to Factory Ownership
The transition from boutique owner to factory founder didn’t happen overnight. I originally focused solely on wholesale and never imagined I would one day own a factory. But time, growth, and ambition led me to build Riche Stitch, my new venture that will manufacture this entire season.
This marks the third major “first” in my career:
- First custom runway collection
- First original wholesale collection for Nouveau Riche Apparel
- Now, the first collection fully produced by Riche Stitch
The Fabric-First Fashion Process
Instead of chasing what’s trending, I’m returning to my creative roots. My fashion process starts with fabrics, not sketches. I let textures and materials speak to me, drawing inspiration from the fabrics themselves to shape the rest of the line.
This approach helps me maintain cohesion throughout the collection. It also ensures that each piece reflects my unique story and design philosophy.
How Fabric Sparked the Fashion Process
In college, a challenging but passionate professor helped me discover a love for textiles. A single textbook from that class still guides me today. Through tactile assignments and detailed study, I gained the deep knowledge that now drives how I source materials.
Sourcing in the Digital Age
Thanks to technology, sourcing is more convenient. I can now order swatches online. Websites like Fashion Fabrics Club offer detailed descriptions, weights, stretch content, and more.
Although physical touch is still important, swatch books provide enough feedback to begin designing with confidence. That connection between the fabric and the final design remains a key part of my fashion process.
Visualizing the Fashion Process
Once fabrics are selected and sketches are ready, I map out the full collection using apps like Freeform and Goodnotes. These tools help me visually group designs by theme, fabric, or category.
With different lines under the Nouveau Riche Apparel brand, basics, swimwear, denim, and more, this visual map keeps things cohesive. It’s also a vital part of my creative flow, helping me refine ideas and finalize looks.
Scaling Down to Stay Focused
Because this is Riche Stitch’s debut collection, I’m intentionally scaling down. Smaller capsules mean greater focus and less overwhelm during the factory’s early stages. Each piece must represent the larger story while ensuring quality and detail.
What Comes Next in the Fashion Process
After sketches and swatches, it’s time for:
- Finalizing tech packs
- Organizing colorways and sizes
- Creating mood boards, if needed
- Beginning the sample production process
These next steps mark the transition from design to development, and that will unfold in the next episode.
Final Thoughts on my Fashion Process
This episode is a raw and reflective start to the season. It invites viewers to witness my fashion process from concept to planning. With every swatch, sketch, and step, I bring emotion, experience, and purpose to each piece.
Watch the full journey in In The Making: SZN’26 and follow both POVs:
FAQs
What is In The Making: SZN’26?
It’s a behind-the-scenes fashion docuseries following the full creation of my designer collection from concept to completion.
Who is the designer behind Nouveau Riche Apparel?
That’s me. I’m also the founder of Riche Stitch and Iconic Fashion Figure on YouTube.
Why does this episode focus on fabrics?
Fabrics are the foundation of my fashion process. I let the material guide my vision before sketching.
How is Riche Stitch involved?
Riche Stitch is the manufacturing factory that will produce my entire collection.
Where can I watch both perspectives of the series?
My designer POV is on Iconic Fashion Figure and the manufacturer’s POV is on Riche Stitch.
Watch the full video below.
Be sure to like and subscribe!
Key Timestamps in this video:
00:00 – In the Making: SZN: 26 | Phase 1 Episode 1
00:26 – Designing With Emotion & Purpose
02:33 – Why I Started Riche Stitch
04:10 – My History as a Designer
05:06 – Back to My Creative Roots
06:38 – How I Fell in Love With Fabrics
10:12 – Why Swatches Still Matter
12:11 – Sourcing Fabrics Online
15:12 – Tips for Swatch Shopping
18:10 – From Fabric to Sketches
21:19 – Mapping Out My Collection
25:34 – Segmenting Capsules & Pricing
30:07 – Why I’m Scaling Back This Season
33:16 – What Comes After Design
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