Ready-to-Wear
Ready-to-Wear (also known as RTW or prêt-à-porter) refers to clothing that is made in standard sizes and sold directly to customers, unlike custom-made or haute couture pieces. It's the type of fashion you see in retail stores, designed to be worn right off the rack. This term is important in fashion careers because it represents the largest segment of the fashion market, where clothes are produced in quantity for the general public, balancing style with practicality and affordability.
Examples in Resumes
Designed seasonal Ready-to-Wear collections for major retail brand
Managed production timeline for RTW line, meeting all delivery deadlines
Created technical packages for Prêt-à-porter collection of 45 styles
Supervised fitting sessions for Ready-to-Wear samples
Typical job title: "Ready-to-Wear Designers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Ready-to-Wear Designers
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Industry Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you manage the balance between creative design and commercial viability in a Ready-to-Wear collection?
Expected Answer: A senior designer should discuss their experience in creating marketable collections while maintaining brand identity, understanding price points, production costs, and target customer preferences. They should mention experience with sales analysis and trend forecasting.
Q: Describe how you would oversee a Ready-to-Wear collection from concept to retail?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of entire production cycle including design development, sourcing, sample development, production timeline management, quality control, and coordination with multiple departments.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What factors do you consider when developing a Ready-to-Wear collection?
Expected Answer: Should discuss target market, price points, seasonal trends, fabric selection, production capabilities, and timeline considerations. Should show understanding of both design and practical aspects.
Q: How do you ensure consistency in sizing across a Ready-to-Wear line?
Expected Answer: Should explain understanding of standardized sizing, grading rules, fit sessions, and how to maintain quality across different styles and sizes in production.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What's the difference between Ready-to-Wear and Haute Couture?
Expected Answer: Should explain that Ready-to-Wear is produced in standard sizes for the mass market, while Haute Couture is custom-made, high-end fashion for individual clients.
Q: How do you research trends for a Ready-to-Wear collection?
Expected Answer: Should describe use of trend forecasting services, social media, street style, competitive analysis, and fashion week coverage to gather inspiration and market information.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of garment construction
- Knowledge of fabric types and properties
- Ability to create basic technical sketches
- Understanding of fashion seasons and calendar
Mid (2-5 years)
- Development of full collections
- Technical package creation
- Pattern and fit knowledge
- Production process understanding
Senior (5+ years)
- Collection planning and management
- Cost analysis and pricing strategy
- Team leadership and direction
- Market analysis and trend forecasting
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of production timelines and processes
- Lack of understanding of commercial viability
- No experience with technical packages
- Unable to explain basic garment construction principles
- No awareness of retail pricing structure
Related Terms
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