Master Custom Designer
The CTDA Education Program
Our next Educational Opportunity will be in New York City, July 2010, during the Designer Forum New York menswear show. Class offerings are posted on the Events Page.
The retailer of custom tailored clothing requires special skills and education. This type of education is not readily available through traditional sources. As the educational organization created and supported by the custom clothing industry, the CTDA is the premier organization in America to obtain all the skills necessary to build a successful custom clothing business. The program provides extensive training in all aspects of the custom clothing industry from Measuring to Business. All courses are taught by industry experts with extensive knowledge and experience in the course subject.
The Education Program is offered during the CTDA or DFNY meetings, and can be completed in a minimum of 2.5 years. The Seven (7) Courses total twenty five (25) hours of class time, and are structured to cover each topic from two (2) to five (5) hours in length.
Existing CTDA Merchant Members are eligible to "TEST OUT" of all courses except for Measuring, Fitting & Alterations and Blue Pencil by passing the course test within 30 days of receipt of materials. We rarely recommend this because learning from a Master is priceless.
Class fees are $99 for Members and are $199 for Non-Members.
To earn the MASTER CUSTOM DESIGNER certification, the following requirements are required:
a) Pass all seven (7) courses of the CTDA Education Program, and
b) Document via vendor references more than four (4) years in the custom clothing industry.
Upon completion of the requirements, the certification "MASTER CUSTOM DESIGNER" will be awarded with a Professional Certificate suitable for framing, as well as the following exclusive benefits:
a) A special CTDA Pin, and
b) Special recognition in all CTDA Marketing Materials (CTDA Website, Annual Program, and Newsletters).
Measuring (5 Hours)
This course covers measuring for all custom garments including jackets, pants, and shirts. The time will be divided between classroom instruction and hands-on demonstrations. Standard measurement ranges, recognition of posture problems, illustrations of "putting the goods where they belong", and guidelines on establishing clear understandings on allowances with your CMT house will all be included.
Fitting & Alternations (5 Hours)
This course will help you recognize and correct problems with finished garments. You will also learn to properly communicate these adjustments to your CMT house to help eliminate problems with future garments. Marking for alterations should be done succinctly and using standard markings which are universally understood. This course will address the most common fitting problems, the solutions, and proper marking techniques for each. Course demonstrations will include chalking and simulations of fitting problems.
Business (5 Hours)
This course is divided into three sections: a) Business Development, b) Business Systems, and c) Industry Standards and Development. Business Development includes overviews of business structures; guidelines on defining a market; sales systems and methods; setting gross margins; compensation models; and development of resources. Business Systems will include selling techniques; delivery and follow through; and profit considerations. Industry Standards and Development will include ethics; customer service policies; and industry involvement.
Blue Pencil (3 Hours)
This course is meant to help you understand how the measurements and posture descriptions you send to your CMT shop affect the garments they make for you. The course will cover common pattern changes, including explanations and recognition of different postures which warrants the changes. Blue pencil is a step that is taken before the garment is made.
Fabric Knowledge (3 Hours)
This course covers an understanding of the quality of fabrics, fabric care, uses, performance, weights, yarn dyes and production processes. This course is designed to provide a solid foundation in fabric principles, and a better understanding of how to help clients select the right fabric for the right reasons. This course includes extensive written materials.
Shirts (2 Hours)
This course covers understanding the elements of style as it relates to shirts - including color, fabric, anatomy of a shirt and collars, cuff styles, trims and appliqués, and balance.
Style (2 Hours)
This course deals with recognizing silhouettes and details and understanding how to apply them appropriately to each body type. From jackets, pants and overcoats to shirts, the clothier must be an expert at manipulating style for the customer.
For more information please contact CTDA Headquarters