ITW Métier: Meeting with Isabelle, model maker

Behind the collections, meticulous and technical work lies each garment. And if there's one expert in the field, it's Isabelle.

Passionate about her job, Isabelle joined the INDIES Group 26 years ago, first as a pattern maker, before moving on to become a model maker in 2006. She strives to create precise and flattering cuts, designed to enhance all silhouettes.

She opens the doors to her world and reveals the secrets of a perfectly thought-out cut...

Tell us what your job as a model maker involves?

Isabelle : “It all starts with a sketch imagined and drawn by Marjorie, our BBR stylist. Then, I step in to transform her creative version into reality! My role is to bring this design to life by creating its volume and structure. I transform an idea into a concrete garment, with an impeccable drape and cut.”

I work mainly on a computer with specialized software that allows me to create the patterns, defining each line, each cut, as well as the size gradation. We dress women from size 34 to 48, which requires great precision to adapt each pattern to all body shapes while maintaining a perfect fit. Once ready, the pattern is printed in actual size on a plotter, a large printer specific to patterns. Then, our cutters and prototype makers come into play: they cut the fabrics and assemble the first prototype of the collection.

Why does a well-thought-out cut change everything?

Isabelle : "A successful cut is a garment that enhances every woman. If a customer feels beautiful and comfortable as soon as she puts it on, then we've done our job well! The cut, drape, and comfort are studied by the entire style team to ensure that the piece fits the body without constraint. Nothing is left to chance: the materials are carefully selected in advance for their trendy prints, their fluidity, and their fit."

Finally, each design is tested before being approved. Some fabrics require specific cuts to fit properly, while others require darts or pleats to naturally follow the curves of the body. It's a balance between technique and aesthetics.

How to guarantee a perfect fall?

Isabelle : "At BBR, our goal is clear: to offer flattering and timeless cuts that reveal the silhouette without artifice. We have tried-and-true basics, but we're constantly innovating to perfect them and offer new shapes. For example, a well-constructed wrap blouse flatters all body types, while a fitted jacket immediately creates an elegant look."

To ensure a perfect fit, we perform several fittings on a fitting mannequin, with millimeter-perfect adjustments. In total, more than five fittings are carried out in our premises, at different stages and on different sizes. These successive adjustments are essential to ensure an optimal fit and impeccable fit before launching production.

What advice would you give to a woman on how to choose her clothes?

Isabelle : “Wear BBR, of course! (laughs) More seriously, trust your feelings. A well-cut garment is one in which you feel beautiful and comfortable from the first second. If you have to constantly readjust it, if it creases or doesn't follow your movements naturally, it's because the cut isn't right for you.”

One last secret?

Isabelle : Never underestimate the importance of a good fitting!