NAME: MAYWA CYNTHIA ITUKULE

INDEX NUMBER: 2021151717

INSTITUTION: THE NYERI NATIONAL POLYTECHNIC
COURSE: DIPLOMA IN FASHION DESIGN AND CLOTHING TECHNOLOGY
SUBJECT: TRADE PROJECT
PROJECT TITTLE: DESIGNING AN OUTFIT FOR A GUEST ATTENDING KALASHA
AWARDS
SUPERVISOR NAME: JACQUELINE NJOROGE
DECLARATION:
I hereby declare that this project has been carried out by my own efforts under the guidance of
my supervisor Jacqueline Njoroge: This project has not been previously submitted to the Kenya
National Examination Council for an award of diploma.
Student Name: Maywa Cynthia
Signature:
Date:

Supervisor: Jacqueline Njoroge

Signature:
Date:

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
First and foremost I would like to thank my family for their unwavering support, encouragement
and understanding throughout this journey. Your patience and belief in me have been a constant
source of motivation and strength.
I am profoundly grateful to my supervisor for their invaluable guidance and insightful feedback.
Your expertise and advice were crucial in shaping this project. Lastly I would like to thank my
friends and colleagues who provided support, suggestions and encouragement. Your input has
been wonderful and therefore can’t go unappreciated.
ABSTRACT
The puffy shoulder prom dress combines a modern chic with classic elements creating a
captivating ensemble for attending an award event. The dress is designed to reach the length
offering a playful yet sophisticated silhouette. Crafted from a heavy stretcher fabric the dress
ensures a flattering and comfortable fit that contours the body curves. The standout feature is the
voluminous puffy shoulders made from lustrous American satin adding a touch of opulence and
dramatic flair.
The combination of textures and careful tailoring makes the dress unique and ideal for making a
memorable entrance for an award night.
TABLE OF CONTENT
ACKNWOLEDGEMENT…………………………………………………………………………
……………..1
DECLARATION…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………2
ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………………………
………………….3
1. CHAPTER
ONE………………………………………………………………………………………
…………….3
1.1
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………..4
2. CHAPTER
TWO………………………………………………………………………………………………
…….5
2.1 Literature
review………………………………………………………………………………………………
…6
3. CHAPTER
THREE……………………………………………………………………………………………
……..7
3.1
Methodology………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………8
3.2 Quarter scale
presentation………………………………………………………………………………….8
3.3 Inspiration designs
sketches………………………………………………………………………………..9
3.4 Pattern drafting, laying and cutting
out…………………………………………………………………10
3.5 Garment
assembly……………………………………………………………………………………………
……11
4. CHAPTER
FOUR………………………………………………………………………………………………
……….12
4.1 Design
analysis……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………13
CONCULUSION…………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………18
RECOMMENDATION……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………19
REFERENCE………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………20
APPENDICE………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………….21

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
The tittle of the project is designing an outfit for a lady attending a KALASHA award event. The
inspiration is drawn from visual imageries of a film young talented famous African which
defines the African urban culture with class shown by their sense of fashion and a symbol of
nobility for women power. The outfit is a puffy shoulder prom dress made from the heavy
stretcher type of fabric. The puffy shoulder comprises of the American satin fabric incorporated
with decorative flowers around the bust area.
The dress comprises of the double pointed darts at the front and back. The front part contains a
v-type of neckline and slit at the knee area decorated with a bow-flower. The puffy shoulder is
the most outstanding part of the garment

CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW

Puffy shoulder prom dresses, characterized by their voluminous and dramatic sleeves, have a
fascinating history that intertwines with broader trends in fashion history.
1. Victorian Era (1837-1901)
Puffy sleeves, often referred to as "leg-of-mutton" or "gigot" sleeves, became popular during the
1830s. These sleeves were extremely wide at the shoulder and tapered to the wrist. This style
emphasized a narrow waist, contrasting with the voluminous upper arms and full skirts typical of
the era.

2. Edwardian Era (1901-1910)

The popularity of puffy sleeves waned as fashion moved towards a more streamlined silhouette.
However, the romanticism and ornate detailing of the Edwardian period saw occasional revivals
of the puffed sleeve, particularly in evening wear and gowns for special occasions.

3. 1930s-1940s: Hollywood Glamour

The 1930s and 1940s saw a revival of puffy sleeves in evening gowns and formal wear,
influenced by Hollywood glamour. Actresses like Joan Crawford popularized the style, with
designers like Adrian creating dresses that featured dramatic, structured shoulders to enhance an
hourglass figure.

4. 1980s: The Return of Excess

The 1980s brought puffy sleeves back into mainstream fashion, including prom dresses. This
decade is known for its bold and exaggerated styles, with shoulder pads and puffy sleeves
becoming ubiquitous. Designers like Laura Ashley and the influence of television shows like
"Dynasty" and "Dallas" played a significant role in popularizing this trend.

5. 1990s-2000s: A Decline
As fashion shifted towards minimalist trends in the 1990s and early 2000s, the popularity of
puffy sleeves decreased. Prom dresses during this period tended to favor sleeker, more fitted
silhouettes.

6. 2010s-2020s: Nostalgia and Revival

The late 2010s and early 2020s saw a resurgence of interest in vintage and retro styles, including
the puffy shoulder prom dress. The influence of social media platforms like Instagram and
TikTok, along with a general nostalgia for past decades, has brought back the trend.
Contemporary designers have reimagined the puffy sleeve with modern fabrics and construction
techniques, making it a popular choice for prom dresses once again.
Cultural Impact
Puffy shoulder prom dresses have often been associated with periods of opulence and excess.
Their resurgence in the 1980s and 2020s highlights a cyclical nature in fashion, where past trends
are revisited and revitalized. These dresses often symbolize a desire for drama, femininity, and a
touch of vintage romance in formal wear.

In summary, puffy shoulder prom dresses have a rich history, evolving through various fashion
eras and reflecting the broader cultural and social trends of their times. From Victorian
romanticism to 1980s excess and modern reinterpretations, these dresses continue to capture the
imagination of designers and fashion enthusiasts alike.

CHAPTER THREE
The project involves making a one piece dress with attached puffy shoulder.
Pattern drafting, laying and cutting out
The patterns were drafted using the required measurements and developed to final patterns. After
producing the final patterns, which comprises of the seam allowances, the fabric was rolled and
the patterns were pinned on top of the fabric. In clear precision large pattern pieces and patterns
on fold were cut out first. Transfer of garment details from the patterns to the fabric by markings.
Garment Assembling
The sewing of the design started by neatening the raw edges. After neatening the raw edges I
made the double pointed darts on both the back and front dress piece. I attached the lining to the
two pieces back and front dress at the neckline point. The back dress was joined to the front
dress at the shoulder point and extended towards the side seam area to come up with a dress by
uses of a plain open seam. after joining the front dress piece to the back dress piece I sewed a
side concealed zip. At the front dress I made a slit opening and neatened it .i thereafter prepared
a floral bow-tie and attached it to the slit.
Onto the puffy shoulder, I inserted a boning which enabled the shoulder piece to stay firm to its
position. I joined the piece onto the main garment. At the joining point I attached a decorative
flower.
CHAPTER FOUR
DESIGN ANALYSIS
Types of seams and stitches used:
The design used plain open seams on the side seams and at the shoulder. The overlock machine
was used to neaten the raw edges. Hand stitches were used while joining the puffy sleeves at the
bust point

Types of fabric
The design used heavy stretcher for the whole garment and American satin the sleeve. This is
because the fabric is light weight and highly breathable to ensure that the wearer is comfortable
during summer seasons. Also those wearing weighted fabrics, sweat less and they allow one to
stay cool and dry throughout the day. A Finnet type of lining was added inside the garment to
make it more presentable
Garment details used
The garment used darts on both the back and front parts as a way of controlling fullness and give
good shape. This also ensures comfortability of the wearer. The front part contains a slit
decorated with a floral bow for ease of movement and to also make the garment appealing to the
eyes and create some illusions emphasis and direct attention.

Budget
Item Quantity Cost
Heavy stretcher 1 METER 500
American satin 1 METER 350
Finnet lining 1 METER 150
Boning 1 METER 100
Thread 1 METER 80
Total 1180

CONCLUSION
A puffy shoulder prom dress is an excellent choice for making a bold fashion statement.This
style is best suited for a spring season as it compliments the celebratory and fresh
atmosphere.Through the process of making this garment I learnt that in fashion it is necessary to
know how to produce every aspect of fashion design since it is very important in ones life. Every
now and then fashion is changing with some new designs and styles emerging. In different
ocassions and different kinds of ocassions to be in the outfit made. In the making the outfit it was
enjoyable and gained a lot of skills,knowledge and experience in the gathering process.Fashion
design can therefore be described as a very heavy career with long working hours and many
skills ability and knowledge needed in order to be successiful.

Recommendation
I would recommend the design outfit to be worn by a lady aged between 22-28 years.It would be
best if worn during spring time. A light weight fabric shoulld be used to allow drapeability and
comfort. One should also consider using a different fabric colour on some of the details such as
the sleeves to offer outstanding and eye catching look. A touch of drama and elegance is perfect
for a glamourous setting of the design.

Reference
Metric patterns cutting ,Womens Wear
Fifth edition@Winfred Aldrich 1976-2008
Internet-theforceguide.com
goldenglobe@2020
Instargram-kate_actress