Discover the enchanting world of Vesna as she shares her journey into digital fashion and the creation of the stunning dress from her Fairy-Tale series using CLO.

Can you introduce yourself and share a bit about your background?

My name is Vesna Stawa, a 3D designer from Belgrade, Serbia. With a master's degree in photography, my expertise lies in lighting and texturing and later extends to hard surface modeling. My love for fashion and art direction has always fueled my creative pursuits. Being inclined towards digital creation, this pursuit naturally led me to the world of digital fashion and CLO.

What inspires your work, and where do you typically find your creative influences?

Drawing inspiration from the Slavic goddess of spring, my name Vesna embodies my love for eternal spring, flowers, and fairies. Exploring avenues to convey my vision through clothing has always been a dream of mine.

Can you describe the concept behind your Fairy-Tale series?

This dress marks the beginning of my Fairy-Tale series of digital dresses. I imagined a magical garden where fairies might dance under the soft glow of light, and one of the dresses the fairies wear is this one.

The bodice is fitted and shimmering in a pale, soft pink, with a slight cinching at the waist, giving it a corseted appearance. The skirt is full and layered with pink floral patterns on a semi-sheer fabric that cascades down in voluminous ruffles. Underneath, there are additional layers of fabric in a slightly lighter, almost silvery shade, adding texture and depth.

What was your design process for this dress in CLO?

I started with some reference images and then experimented in CLO. The real magic in digital production happens when you play around with different fabric blends, volumes, proportions, and colors. The digital creation process in CLO feels like exploring the magical fairy tales I imagine.

Can you share a specific challenge you faced during the design process and how you overcame it?

One of the biggest challenges is maintaining confidence in the final result. While I enjoy the speed with which I can visualize my ideas in 3D, that speed can also present a challenge. The tricky part is choosing one idea to focus on and committing to refining it, which often involves a slow, repetitive process. Staying patient through this phase is essential, especially when aiming for realistic results in designs with complex volumes and high polygon counts.

For instance, when I was working on my Fairy Dress, creating the voluminous skirt posed a unique challenge. The initial low-poly version (particle distance 20 and above) didn't capture the desired texture and movement; it looked too rigid. However, when I switched to a high-poly version (particle distance 5), the dress came to life, with the volume flowing in a more natural and captivating way. That transition required patience and trust in the final result.

One technique that helps me is breaking the design into different stages. After completing each stage, I take a short break before revisiting the work with fresh eyes. This process of stepping back allows me to see the bigger picture and make adjustments that improve the overall design. I recommend this approach to other CLO users as well—sometimes, a simple break can make all the difference in gaining a fresh perspective after focusing on details for too long. It helps you find a balance between the minutiae and the overall vision.

Do you have any tips for other CLO users looking to enhance their designs, particularly in creating textures or experimenting with fabrics?

Experimentation is key to expanding your attention to detail—after all, you can only create what you’re able to perceive. Take the time to play around with different textures and observe how they transform the overall look and feel of a design. It’s a valuable way to train your eye to notice subtle variations. And, most importantly, always finish the projects you start, even the experimental ones. Revisiting a completed piece later can give you a fresh perspective, helping you better understand your initial approach and ideas. It’s often easier to see the potential and progress in a fully realized concept rather than just fragmented parts.

In CLO, experimenting with textures is particularly accessible, thanks to tools like the AI Texture Generator. This feature allows you to create and modify textures quickly, making it an intuitive way to push the boundaries of fabric manipulation. Don’t be afraid to explore and let the digital medium guide your creative journey.

How does the digital creation process in CLO enhance your creativity?

It is very easy to get immersed in the world of digital creation, as you don't have to think about physical fabrics and the waste that physical experimenting generates. You have the full focus on the idea, and you can create anything that you can imagine.

What are your future projects, and how do you see your work evolving in the digital fashion landscape?

Currently, my focus is on digital clothing and animation, but I’m eager to delve deeper into designing accessories like bags. I also aim to integrate my manual illustrations and artwork into my digital fashion creations, blending traditional and digital techniques. In the coming months, I plan to experiment with different ways to achieve this fusion, adding a more personal touch to my digital pieces.

I’m always open to new creative challenges, and if I come across unexpected discoveries during this journey, I’ll be excited to share them. For me, the evolution of my work is about exploring new horizons while staying true to the ethereal, fairy core aesthetic that defines my style.