The Mentoring Program
Virtual Fashion is a consultancy-based mentoring program designed to support participants in realizing their own projects using 3D software. We focus on guiding and advising participants in the development of digital products, garments or other creative projects according to their individual wishes and needs. This course is ideal for companies, designers and engineers who want to integrate 3D technology into their work but may need support navigating software and design processes.
Instead of teaching the features of the software, we will help participants define their projects, shape their ideas, and ensure they achieve their goals. Our mentors will offer tailored advice and support to help each participant develop their digital portfolio and create impressive results.
Software
Along the way, we will work with graphic software. All software is either free or can be downloaded for a trial period.
Software we use:
No knowledge required
Software we can use:
No knowledge required
No knowledge required
No knowledge required
No knowledge required
Requirements
To use the software we use, you need a computer with either iOS (Mac) or Windows (PC) that meets the following requirements:
iOS (Mac)
- Model: Macbook 2012, Macbook Pro 2012, Mac Pro 2013 or newer
- macOS: Catalina 10.15
- Processor: Intel® Core-i5 4-core
- Memory: 8GB
- Storage space: HDD 10GB or more
- Screen: 1280x800
Windows (PC)
- Operating system: Windows 10 64-bit (1903 or later)
- Processor: AMD® Ryzen™ 5 1500X or Intel® Core-i5 6400
- Memory: 8GB
- Graphics card: NVIDIA® GeForce GTX 960 or NVIDIA® Quadro P2200
- Storage space: HDD 10GB or more
- Screen: 1920x1080
iOS (Mac)
- Model: Intel chip Macs released after 2018 or Apple Silicon Macs: M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, M2
- macOS: Monterey 12, Ventura 13
- Processor: Intel® Core-i9 or Apple Silicon
- Memory: 24GB or more
- Storage space: SSD 20GB or more
- Display: Retina 4K, Retina 5K supported
Windows (PC)
- Operating system: Windows 10 64-bit (22H2 or later) or Windows 11 64-bit (22H2 or later)
- Processor: AMD® Ryzen™ 7/9 7000 series or Intel® Core-i7/i9 13th Gen or higher
- Memory: 32GB or more
- Graphics card: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX series or NVIDIA® Quadro RTX , RTX A series
- Storage space: SSD 20GB or more
- Display: 2560x1440, 4K supported
Yield
At the end of the mentoring program, you will have achieved the following (depending on your needs):
- Identification and development of your unique 3D project.
- Design advice from working drawings to digital garments.
- Integration of patterns and textures in CLO.
- Customize avatars and create realistic 3D models.
- Applying design principles to optimize your projects.
- Creating animated visualizations and images of your designs.
Support Schemes
There are various ways to get financial support for courses, programs and counseling. Your options depend on your current situation and whether you are unemployed, employed or already self-employed with your own CVR number.
Applicable if you have a CVR + minimum 2 full-time employees.
Applicable if you have a Danish CVR number, 0-249 employees and at least one closed financial statement
Applicable if you have a Danish CVR number, have growth ambitions of at least 500.000 DKK in revenue within max. 2 years and have an interest in unlocking or strengthening a green potential.
If you are employed and covered by a collective agreement, you can get support for competence development.
If you are unemployed, you may be eligible for courses through your unemployment insurance fund (A-Kasse) or jobcenter. It is your caseworker or jobcenter consultant who decides if you can be approved for a course with us. You should therefore contact your local job center or unemployment insurance fund to find out more about your eligibility for one of our courses.
Course Certificate
Once you have successfully completed our course at SAFD, you will receive a course certificate confirming your completion of the course and its modules. This certificate will strengthen your CV and expand your career opportunities, and it will symbolize your dedication, skills and knowledge of the course’s professional content.
Mentor
Mats Beckman
Mats has been working with production processes in the fashion industry for more than a decade and has launched several fashion companies. Mats is also an award-winning designer and has received much recognition for his previous work.
Contents
We help participants clarify their overall project goals and vision. We work to identify specific design ideas and create a realistic plan to realize these ideas. Participants are encouraged to think creatively and strategically, which can include brainstorming sessions and visual inspiration exercises. We focus on understanding the target audience and market so participants can create designs that really speak to their desired audience.
Participants receive guidance on taking their design from idea to finished digital model. We review basic design principles, including color selection, design and aesthetics. Participants are encouraged to create sketches and mood boards to help them visualize their ideas. We also discuss how to incorporate sustainable materials and techniques into the design process, which is particularly relevant in today’s fashion world.
We guide participants in using CLO software to create realistic 3D models. We help them understand the different features and tools CLO offers and how they can be used to optimize designs. Participants will learn the importance of creating accurate models that can be used for both presentation and production. We also include tips for generating impressive visualizations that can be used in marketing materials and portfolios.
We offer advice on how to customize avatars in CLO to ensure they accurately represent the target audience the design is aimed at. Participants learn how to adjust avatar appearance, size and pose to create believable and realistic presentations of their designs. This process is important to demonstrate how the garment will look when worn and helps participants understand how different body types affect the fit and expression of the design.
We teach participants how to choose and apply textures and materials in their designs to create visual interest and realism. We discuss how to import different textures, customize them and integrate them into your models. Participants will also gain insight into how different materials can affect the look and function of the design, as well as how to calculate which materials are most appropriate for specific projects.
We advise on how to animate your designs and create presentations that capture the attention of potential customers or employers. Participants will learn techniques to create dynamic visualizations of their designs in use, which can be an effective way to show the movement and fit of clothing. We also discuss best practices for presenting their work, including storytelling and visual communication, so they can convey their vision clearly and effectively.
Participants receive guidance on how to effectively integrate patterns into their designs. We show how to transfer patterns to CLO and draw directly on avatars to ensure design accuracy. This area focuses on helping participants understand how patterns can affect the structure and style of the design and how to manipulate them to achieve the desired result. We also work with techniques to create unique and creative patterns that can differentiate their work.
Advice on adding and manipulating seam allowances, annotations and symbols in designs is the focus here. Participants learn how these elements can improve the functionality and aesthetics of the design. We also discuss how to use these techniques to create unique details that make the design more interesting. Participants are encouraged to experiment with different nail types and placements to achieve creative results.
We help participants develop a plan for producing their designs, including choosing materials and calculating costs. This area focuses on ensuring that participants’ designs are both economically and practically feasible. We also discuss how to estimate production costs and gain an understanding of how different choices affect the final product and its market value.
We create a supportive and constructive atmosphere where participants can present their work and get input from mentors and peers. This helps them identify strengths and weaknesses and areas for improvement so they can optimize their designs and learn from the experiences of others. This feedback session can be an invaluable part of the development process.
We guide participants in building a professional portfolio that showcases their best work and projects. This area focuses on how to present designs in a way that highlights their unique skills and creativity. We also discuss how to customize the portfolio for different audiences and job opportunities so that participants can use it as an effective tool to attract potential customers and employers.
Process
1. Startup, Planning and Structuring
This initial phase involves close collaboration between the participant and the mentor to identify specific goals, wants and needs. We may review existing design briefs and market research and analysis to create a solid foundation for the project.
2. Design and Development
In this phase we focus on the creative process where participants work on developing their project(s) in CLO. The emphasis is on creating products and projects that have both visual appeal and functionality. The mentors offer support and guidance throughout the development process to ensure that all design aspects are properly addressed.
3. Optimization and Launch
In this final phase, we prepare the project for eventual production, reviewing the necessary strategies and processes for an effective launch. Participants will receive feedback and advice to optimize their designs and strategies so they are ready to present their final product to the market.
Who is the course for?
This mentoring program is designed for a broad target group who want to develop their skills in 3D modeling and virtual fashion. Regardless of your experience level, there is room for everyone and you will be able to work at your own pace while receiving tailored advice.
Designer, Creative or Artist
For those who have a passion for fashion and want to dive into the digital world of 3D design. This course is ideal for design students, freelance designers, fashion artists and anyone who wants to start their own fashion brand. You will receive thorough guidance and valuable insights on how to realize your design ideas using CLO.
Entrepreneurs and startups
Are you an entrepreneur looking to launch your own fashion brand? This course offers you the support you need to develop tech packs and prepare your designs for production. It is also suitable for startups that want to optimize their current design and production processes to stay competitive in the market.
Small and medium-sized businesses
For established fashion companies looking to expand their product line and improve their production methods, this course offers a unique opportunity to get advice on advanced 3D technologies. Whether you want to streamline production, develop new designs, or create specific features and details for your products, our mentoring program can help take your business to the next level.
What is being made?
During the course, participants will receive tailored advice and support to develop their own 3D clothing projects using 3D software. The course does not focus on learning software from scratch, but rather on helping participants realize their own projects, whether it’s creating a digital collection, optimizing design processes, or developing virtual prototypes. We advise on everything from design and fitting to animation and rendering, and participants will achieve a finished digital solution ready for presentation or production.
"I participated in the Virtual Fashion mentoring program and it really changed my approach to the design process. With the advice and support I received, I was able to develop an entire digital collection, saving me both time and resources. The program helped me create 3D garments on a professional level that I can now present to potential collaborators. It has been a game changer for my work!"
– Anna, Aarhus
Yes, you can split the payment into installments so you don’t have to pay the full amount at sign-up. Pricing for a program varies according to your needs, but we will always aim for a flexible financial solution that makes the most sense for the participant.
A mentoring program at SAFD is a structured and goal-oriented process where our mentor works closely with you to help you develop a finished collection or project of your choice.
Throughout the process, there will be meetings, reviews and workshops that are customized and planned according to your needs and wishes.
Everyone is welcome! Whether you’re a beginner, have worked with 3D software before or already have experience from the fashion industry.
Our mentors will help you develop your project step by step, whatever your level, and we offer tailored guidance along the way.
You will receive professional advice and support to complete a 3D clothing project, develop digital tech packs, optimize your design process, create presentation-ready designs or prototypes in CLO or anything else related to 3D modeling in a fashion context.
No, you follow along at the pace and time that feels best for you. At the first meeting, we develop a plan that is tailored to your needs and wishes. Therefore, there is no requirement for you to be ready at certain times, as our desire is always to create a setup that feels calm and flexible for you.
Instead of learning software from scratch, the course focuses on advice and guidance to realize your concrete projects. You will be supported to solve specific challenges relevant to your own design or business.
The duration of the course depends on your project and goals. We work flexibly and adapt the course to your needs, so you can work at your own pace.
We work with CLO 3D software, which is one of the leading tools in digital fashion design. Our mentors will help you realize the full potential of the software to create professional 3D models.
There may be additional costs for software licenses like CLO if you do not already have access to the program. We recommend checking the specific software requirements to be prepared.
At the end of the course, you will have a finished 3D project that can be used to present to potential customers, partners or manufacturers. You will also have the necessary skills to continue working with CLO software on your own.







