Story board to Closet: How Art Inspired Clothing Is Designed
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Time to read 5 min
Every fashion collection begins long before the first garment is sewn. It starts with a story board—a visual map of ideas, fabrics, color palettes, and artistic inspiration that shapes the entire design process. From those early sketches and paintings, art inspired clothing gradually transforms into pieces you can actually wear.
At Flora by Alexandria, the path from story board to closet is all about blending art inspired clothing, linen clothing, natural fiber clothing, and floral prints into designs that feel expressive and modern. In this post, we’ll take you inside that creative process while exploring key fashion questions like what is linen clothing and how to wear floral prints.
If you’re curious about how clothing evolves from inspiration to finished garment, this is the story behind it.
Explore the Flora's full collections.
Table of Content
The Story Board: Where Art Inspired Clothing Begins
From Painting to Print: Turning Art Into Clothing
A story board is essentially the blueprint of a collection. Designers gather ideas—colors, paintings, travel inspiration, vintage silhouettes, and fabric samples—and arrange them visually to guide the direction of the clothing.
At Flora by Alexandria, the story board often includes:
- hand-painted botanical artwork
- warm color palettes inspired by nature
- breathable fabrics like linen and cotton
- sketches of tailored silhouettes mixed with feminine prints
Many of the prints you see in Flora collections actually start as paintings or custom edited designs before they become textile patterns used in dresses, blazers, and tops.
That artistic process is what defines art inspired clothing—garments that originate from real artwork rather than generic patterns.
The Paulina Linen Blazer Vest with hand painted floral lining. Photoshoot location: San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Pros: Art Inspired Clothing
- Small Batch Clothing: Never worry about wearing the same factory made garment as everyone else.
- Custom Design: From the story board to the closet, each artful piece is unique.
- Exclusivity: Like getting into the "invite only" party, every time.
Cons: Art Inspired Clothing
- No Fast Fashion: One style or print may never be reproduced, reducing convivence but increasing exclusivity.
- Limited Quantities: Only a few hundred of each style exist, so shopping small may mean limited accessibility.
Must Have Floral Blazer Vests
From Painting to Print: Turning Art Into Clothing
One of the most exciting parts of the design process is when artwork becomes fabric.
Many Flora prints begin as hand-painted designs that later appear on garments. This method ensures each collection feels personal and unique.
A great example is the Natalia Red Collared Dress, which features a custom leaf print originally painted by the designer before being applied to the dress.
Because the print placement varies, no two pieces are exactly alike, making each dress feel like wearable art.
"I create to make every day a little more floral for women."
How a Story Board Influences the Final Design
The story board isn’t just inspiration—it shapes the entire collection.
It determines:
- color palette
- fabric choices
- print design
- silhouette direction
By the time a garment reaches production, it has evolved through multiple stages:
- Inspiration and artwork
- Story board creation
- Fabric selection
- Pattern development
This process ensures that each piece in the collection aligns with the original vision.
Meet Natalia: A Casual Red Dress Featuring A Custom Print
Natural fiber clothing, but make it floral.
The Role of Natural Fiber Clothing in Modern Fashion
Another important element on the story board is sustainability and fabric integrity.
Natural fibers like:
linen
cotton
Tencel
silk
are becoming increasingly important to both designers and shoppers.
For example, the Natalia Red Collared Dress blends Tencel and linen, combining softness with breathability.
These materials support the broader trend toward natural fiber clothing, which prioritizes comfort, quality, and longevity.
"Your not so basic, basic."
Designing Floral Fashion: How Florals Enter the Story Board
Florals are one of the core design elements in Flora collections. But instead of relying on standard patterns, the prints evolve from artistic concepts on the story board.
When designers develop floral clothing, they consider:
- scale of the print
- color combinations
- how the print moves with the silhouette
- how it pairs with natural fabrics like linen
For example, the Claudia Linen Jacket uses linen fabric with a floral design, combining breathable material with a painterly pattern.
Pieces like this show how floral prints and linen clothing can work together naturally.
"What did the floral separates say to calm their jitters? : I'll be me and you be you and together, we'll be us ."
From Story Board to Closet
Once the designs move beyond the story board, they become part of a collection. Designers ensure that pieces work together so customers can mix and match them.
At Flora by Alexandria, you’ll often see coordinated items such as:
- blazer vests paired with matching camisoles
- cotton floral button downs designed for warm weather
- linen tops and two piece sets
For instance, the Elena Floral Blazer Vest was designed to pair with the Elena Floral Print Cami and shorts, creating a cohesive outfit from one design concept.
Conclusion
Fashion today is moving toward individuality and creativity. Shoppers are looking for pieces that feel meaningful rather than mass-produced. Art inspired clothing resonates because it:
- tells a story
- highlights craftsmanship
- connects fashion with art and design
- often uses small-batch production
At Flora by Alexandria, many pieces are produced in limited quantities, which helps maintain the uniqueness of each collection. This approach reflects a shift in fashion toward thoughtful design.
When you wear a piece from Flora by Alexandria, you’re wearing more than a garment—you’re wearing the result of a creative process that began with art.
From the first painted floral on a canvas to the finished linen blazer or dress, every design reflects the journey from story board to closet.
If you’d like to explore clothing that blends art inspired design, linen fabrics, and modern floral prints, you can discover the latest pieces worn by real people, doing real things here.
How to Wear Floral Prints
How to wear floral prints, from the experts.
Need help learning how to wear floral prints? Start with a statement piece, such as the Claudia Floral Linen Jacket. Try pairing it with:
- a white tank top
- jeans (any wash or style)
- minimal jewelry
- nude strapy heals
If you're feeling matchy, pair it with the Claudia Linen Mini Skirt and a white tank as seen on our inspiration page.