Mountain Sweater
The Mountain Sweater is a literal embodiment of the Fades brand—its gradient color pattern visually represents the name itself. This piece marks a major milestone: the first cut-and-sew item to go through full production and be listed for sale. With it, I aimed to shift Fades in the direction I’ve always envisioned—moving away from reliance on screen-printed and embroidered garments. The goal was to create a statement piece that stands out through texture and color, while still maintaining a simple, wearable silhouette.
Inspiration
The inspiration behind the pattern and design was simple yet intentional—the brand name Fades. I wanted a visual that directly reflected the name, using a gradient as the central storytelling element.
The real focus, though, was on material. I wanted to introduce something entirely new to the brand, which led me to a brushed cotton, Poly blend—a fabric known for its softness, texture, and association with luxury as it’s a more affordable option than Mohair. This choice was also influenced by iconic Mohair pieces, particularly the green cardigan famously worn by Kurt Cobain, which added both texture and emotional resonance to the design.
For the fit, I drew inspiration from the current trend of boxier, cropped silhouettes. Vintage raglan crewnecks—with their distinct seam placement across the chest and shoulders—served as a key reference point in shaping the final look
Process
My process began with developing a detailed CAD in Adobe Illustrator to establish the foundational design. Instead of using a traditional tech pack, we provided the manufacturer with a reference sample that captured the desired raglan fit and cut, requesting they use its exact measurements to guide our sample. To finalize the first prototype, we reviewed and approved the pattern and fabric selection following a swatch evaluation.
Challenges
There were minimal challenges with this product, as the design and production process was largely seamless. That said, one hurdle we encountered was the impact of new tariff policies introduced under the Trump administration. With approximately 97% of the U.S. fashion industry relying on overseas production, these tariffs made it more difficult to stay within budget. This pushed our team to think creatively and source from ethical manufacturers that offered more cost-effective solutions.
The second challenge involved material selection. While we initially hoped to use Mohair, its cost placed it outside of our budget. In response, we explored alternative options and ultimately landed on a brushed recycled blend made of polyester, acrylic, and wool. This choice allowed us to maintain the desired texture and quality while keeping the final product affordable for our customers.
