LUMEN: Line Development Studio
Menswear Capstone
Lumen (winner, Line Development Studio, Fall '24) is a contemporary menswear label that embodies the power of self-illumination through refined yet unexpected design. Rooted in the belief that confidence shines from within, Lumen uses subtly in contemporary design to create a lasting impact.
FASH 440
Line Development Studio
FASH 440: Line Development Studio at VCU immerses merchandising and design students in a real-world product development experience, where they collaborate in teams to develop an eight-look capsule collection for an apparel line.
Over 15 weeks, students navigated the comprehensive fashion development cycle, blending creativity, technical expertise, and business strategy to produce an exclusive apparel line.
Guided by the Fall 2024 theme CONTEMPORARY, teams developed brands from concept to presentation, considering everything from customer insights, marketing, and trend data to costing, sales, and specs.
— Tatum Jones, NYLON, 2013
INDUSTRY LINKS + PANEL OF JUDGES
Cotton Incorporated, a U.S. non-profit focused on cotton research and marketing, funded trips to New York City and the Cotton Inc. headquarters in North Carolina, where we conducted market analysis and explored cotton innovation. The final project comprised 70% cotton.
A representative from Cotton Inc. served on our panel of judges.
Crescala Collective is a luxury fashion development cooperative dedicated to supporting emerging designers through expert guidance, industry connections, and strategic retail placement to help purpose-driven brands succeed in the luxury market. We visited the Crescala Collective showroom in New York’s Garment District in September.
CEO and Founder Jodi Sandman was among our panel of judges.
WATCH: Spring + Fall 2024
— Filmspire, 2025
THE ASK
Develop a contemporary apparel line, navigating the production cycle from concept to presentation, focusing on research, design, and merchandising.
KEY SKILLS
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
MARKET RESEARCH
BRAND STORYTELLING
COLLABORATION
DESIGN + SPECS
CLO3D
PROJECT SPECS
16
Weeks spent in development from concept to delivery.
8
Looks critiqued by an industry critic, condensed from 30.
70%
Cotton woven throughout the project in innovative applications.
PROCESS
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Keeping the professional man distinctively modern, fashionably adventurous, and ready for whatever the day may bring.
Our Name
Lumen represents the glow of inner confidence, capturing the essence of self-illumination and the quiet power of light in all its forms.
ILLUMINATION
LUMEN
— Passenger Train Leaving Station, Rüveyda, Pexels, 2022
THE LUMEN MAN
Muse
Michael Harper
Lumen's ideal customer, Michael (45-55), is a high-earning professional in tech, finance, or architecture ($250K–$350K+). He invests yearly in a versatile, high-quality wardrobe that reflects his propensity for timeless and sophisticated dress.
Balancing career and family, he enjoys luxury sports and accessories, shopping at department stores like Neiman Marcus, and boutique brands like Helmut Lang, favoring a blend of classic and innovative design.
DESIGN
Each team member was tasked with sketching 3-5 garment ideas, totaling 30 looks for our critic, Jodi Sandman (Crescala Collection), to review and condense. She selected 8 illustrations for the final collection, suggesting adjustments to maximize impact and alignment.
KEY COMPONENTS
Asymmetry
Architectural
Understated
Transitional
FINAL 8
SKETCHES
Drawing inspiration from our reference brands and consulting with our designer, I sketched 8 of the 30 initial looks. Once our final 8 were decided, I illustrated and digitally rendered the collection.
PALETTE + MATERIALS
CLO3D
To show our collection moving and breathing, we rendered each look in the round using the digital design software CLO3D.
RESEARCH TOOLS
Research was foundational to our project, from consumer information (demographics, geographics, and psychographics) to manufacturing costs to omnichannel marketing strategies. Below are just some of the most significant resources we referenced.
OMNICHANNEL MARKETING ACTIVATIONS
LUMEN RADIO
LUMEN Radio is a 24/7 sonic sanctuary for the modern man, offering more than content—a curated lifestyle. The podcast features insights from accomplished men, discussions on style and current events, an exclusive live hotline, and commuter-hour music mixes, guiding professionals in lifestyle, networking, and investment.
Prior to presentation day, we shared samples with our guest judges for an sneak preview of Lumen.
CELEBRITY WATCHES
Lumen partnership with actor Aldis Hodge includs an exclusive NYC watch event, celebrating timelessness, precision, and function.
Guests will explore Lumen’s collection while engaging with Hodge, who has his own bespoke watch brand and whose refined style and craftsmanship align with the brand’s commitment to quality.
BLANTON'S BOURBON x LUMEN
In partnership with Blanton's Bourbon, Lumen’s Boardroom to Bar event offers an exclusive experience blending bourbon tastings with previews of our debut collection.
Guests will enjoy a sophisticated evening of drinks and conversation, departing with a premium gift bag featuring a bottle of Blanton's with a limited-edition Lumen light bulb bottle stopper and a Lumen T-shirt.
PUBLIC DISPLAYS
To engage busy commuters, we designed dynamic, eye-catching marquee ads for high-traffic transit hubs like train stations, bus stops, and subways.
These bold visuals deliver quick, impactful messages, capturing attention in the brief moments as the Lumen man transitions between destinations.
AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE
This unforgettable hands-on experience marks the culmination of our studies in the Department of Fashion Design + Merchandising at VCU and showcases the skills we've developed. Line Development Studio prepares us for careers in the fashion industry from a multidisciplinary perspective, offering a glimpse into the future after graduation.
Scroll to view the Lumen presentation!
TAKEAWAYS
Designed for Menswear
Presented to Industry Figures
Illustrated Technical Garments
PRESENTING...LUMEN
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