
Discover the art of designing and sewing garments with a fusion of German and Japanese influences in this online course led by Alisa Menkhaus, the Creative Director of the renowned label SUSUMI AI. In this course, you will immerse yourself in the world of fashion and learn to create unique pieces that blend traditional Japanese fabrics with the contemporary European zeitgeist.
In this creative journey, Alisa will guide you through the process of designing and sewing garments that have never been seen before. She will provide an introduction to the cultural meanings of Japanese fashion and help you choose the right materials, with a special focus on sustainability.
Throughout the course, you will explore different design techniques, such as creating color charts and initial sketches, as well as drawing patterns and conducting needle tests alongside model fittings. Finally, you will learn the art of sewing, from assembling individual pieces to stitching the final seams.
20 lessons & 22 downloads

12 minutes, 25 seconds

16 minutes, 3 seconds

14 minutes, 15 seconds

9 minutes, 26 seconds

19 minutes, 12 seconds

14 minutes, 59 seconds
To start, in this online course, you will dive into the fascinating world of fashion design and learn the secrets of creating garments with a captivating blend of German and Japanese aesthetics. Alisa Menkhaus will guide you through each step of the process, ensuring that you gain a comprehensive understanding of the techniques involved.
After an introduction to the cultural meanings of Japanese fashion, you will explore the selection and characteristics of materials, paying special attention to sustainable choices. Next, you will embark on the creative journey of idea hunting, creating color charts, and sketching out your initial design concepts.
Moving forward, you will delve into the intricacies of pattern drawing, needle testing, and model fittings, refining your designs to perfection. Finally, you will learn the art of sewing, assembling the pieces and stitching the final seams of your unique garments.
Throughout this course, you will acquire the skills necessary to design and sew garments that blend tradition and innovation, expressing your personal style through a fusion of German and Japanese influences. By the end, you will have the ability to create long-lasting, sustainable, and visually striking wearable art.
In the final project of this course, you will have the opportunity to put your newfound skills to the test by producing a fresh take on a unisex kimono jacket. Using the techniques and knowledge acquired throughout the course, you will design and sew a garment that reflects your unique style and showcases the fusion of German and Japanese influences.
This course is designed for individuals who have a passion for fashion and want to explore the possibilities of blending German and Japanese aesthetics in their designs. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced designer, Alisa Menkhaus will provide you with the necessary guidance and techniques to create garments that stand out from the crowd.
To fully engage in this course, you will need a sewing machine and other tailoring equipment, as well as a basic familiarity with sewing techniques. Additionally, having a creative mindset and a willingness to experiment with different design concepts will greatly enhance your learning experience. Get ready to embark on a creative journey and bring your vision to life through the art of garment design and sewing.
Muy interesante la presentación de la diseñadora, especialmente todo el material sobre la estética del diseño japonés tradicional y contemporáneo. Me parece que la explicación del trazado del molde es muy complicado y confuso, si bien el resultado de la prenda final es muy positivo. Me hubiera gustado que se adjunte un patrón ya dibujado, como en otros cursos de Domestika, y más bien el intento de la profesora por explicar como se puede adaptar a diferentes modelos y tallas.
El gusto de la profesora es bellísimo! El material está muy bien explicado y cuidadosamente planeado!
Gran curso, excelente maestra.
curso maravilhoso, professsora com grande repertorio de explicação.
Me gusto el curso. La escenografía es bonita y la música de fondo o ambiental no se sobrepone a la explicación. La instructora intenta durante el curso explicar de forma simple el proceso de ejecución de la prenda modelo. Por otra parte yo seguí el curso en español y hay momentos, especialmente cuando se habla de unidades, que la traducción no se entiende bien, creo que esto se podría mejorar fácilmente. El curso se encuentra bien estructurado.

introduction
The basics
The design
Creating the pattern
The making of the jacket
Final project
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
If you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
This course is designed for people with some basic sewing knowledge who are interested in Japanese fashion, sustainable design, and creative pattern making.
Basic sewing skills and some understanding of fashion design help, but all key techniques and tools are explained step-by-step.
You’ll learn how to design and sew a kimono jacket, work with Japanese fabrics, understand pattern symbolism, and apply sustainable crafting methods.
You’ll need various fabrics (like Japanese cotton and recycled polyester), a sewing machine, fabric scissors, a set square, piroquet, cutting mat, metal ruler, and marking tools.
The course teaches you how to reuse fabric scraps, choose sustainable materials, and apply upcycling methods such as repurposing secondhand kimonos.
Yes, you’ll master pattern techniques for unisex kimono jackets and get inspired to create modern streetwear with Japanese touches.
You’ll explore the cultural and symbolic meaning of the kimono, the history behind layering techniques, and the significance of fabric patterns and colors.