Interoperable Immersive Fashion: VR Ideation to Digital Pattern Prototypes

This paper addresses the limited integration of virtual reality (VR) within fashion design workflows, where it is typically used for visualisation rather than creation. Through a practice-led methodology, the study develops and tests a hybrid digital workflow that connects immersive sketching in VR with technical refinement in 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design) software. By translating sculptural garment designs into flat patterns, the workflow enables a streamlined transition from early ideation to production preparation. The method was validated through cross-platform experiments and the creation of physical garments, revealing its potential to improve efficiency, reduce sampling and support more intuitive collaboration. The findings suggest VR’s functionality as a real-time design tool, one that enhances spatial judgement, accelerates feedback and supports sustainable garment development. This paper contributes a scalable, practice-based model for hybrid digital fashion design that addresses current inefficiencies in design-to-production pipelines.