The Future of Fashion Education: Jim Simon on 3D Design, CLO Virtual Fashion, and the Sustainable Power of Technology
- Dr. Eulanda Sanders
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
At iNNOVATION Insights…We transform our clients' career journeys through the art of storytelling via our consulting, coaching, and career management services.
At iNNOVATION Insights, we believe that transformation happens when creativity meets technology. In this episode of the podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jim Simon, 3D Design Specialist and Academic Lead at CLO Virtual Fashion Inc. Jim is not only a brilliant educator and designer, but a true visionary who has helped reshape how we think about design, sustainability, and the creative process in fashion. What began as a conversation between two creatives became a robust exchange on how digital tools redefine fashion education and the industry's future.
From Painting to Pixels: Jim’s Creative Evolution
Jim's story is rooted in traditional artistry—he has been drawing since age two. Trained as a fine artist at the Heron School of Art, he specialized in painting, sculpture, and photography. However, his creative curiosity led him to explore design through multiple lenses—from painting necktie prints for Nicole Miller in New York City to mastering Adobe Illustrator before it was the industry standard.
His transition into the digital realm was not about abandoning his artistic roots but expanding them. When introduced to CLO 3D, Jim saw its potential not as a threat to creativity but as a tool to empower it. This openness to learning and adaptation now fuels his work with CLO Virtual Fashion, where he helps educators and designers harness the power of 3D technology.
Redefining Fashion Design Through CLO 3D
CLO 3D is not just software—it is a gateway to transformation. Jim explains that CLO allows designers to move from 2D sketches to fully rendered 3D garments. This is not about replacing hands-on design work but enhancing it. The digital environment replicates real-world garment construction, enabling users to draft patterns, drape fabrics, and visualize garments on avatars before a piece is physically produced.
The benefits are substantial. Designers can reduce the number of physical samples, cut production time, and significantly decrease waste. Tools like CLO offer a real opportunity to shift toward sustainable practices for an industry long criticized for its environmental impact. Jim shared that some companies have reduced their prototyping process by three or four rounds using CLO, saving money and material waste.
Teaching the Teachers: Closing the Tech Gap in Fashion Education
As CLO’s Academic Lead, Jim works closely with faculty worldwide, many of whom are still adjusting to rapid technological changes accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. His role often includes bridging generational gaps in digital fluency. He acknowledges the fear some educators feel—that technology may render them obsolete—but emphasizes that CLO is a tool, not a replacement. Real-world expertise in design, construction, and patternmaking is still essential.
Jim’s approach is collaborative. He encourages educators to draw parallels between traditional methods and digital tools. For example, if you can draft a flat sketch by hand or in Illustrator, you can learn to use CLO to do the same in 3D. The key, he believes, is staying open to new methods and never losing the desire to learn.
Empowering the Next Generation of Designers
Jim’s advice to students is clear: Learn everything. I agree. I know how to use technology like CLO, Illustrator, and Photoshop, but I also understand how to cut a pattern, sketch by hand, and drape fabric on a form. The most successful designers in most fields can move seamlessly between digital and analog, choosing the right tool for each task.
He sees CLO as a larger movement toward size-inclusivity and custom fit. Imagine shopping online and trying on garments virtually using your personalized avatar. That future is not far off, and designers trained in 3D tools will be at the forefront of this transformation.
Image courtesy of CLO Virtual Fashion.
CLO, AI, and What Comes Next
We also touched on AI's future role in fashion design. CLO integrates AI and machine learning to reduce repetitive tasks, freeing designers to focus on creativity. While Jim admits he is still skeptical about AI-generated art for personal projects, he sees enormous potential for automation in workflow optimization.
CLO plans to expand its AI capabilities in the coming years, making it even easier for designers to turn their ideas into polished 3D models efficiently and accurately.
Final Thoughts: Innovation Is Personal
When asked how he defines innovation, Jim’s answer was profound: “Innovation is more about the person than the tool.” It is about keeping an open mind, adapting to new circumstances, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. It is not just about using the latest technology—it is about using it purposefully.
I am so thankful to have had this conversation with Jim Simon. His career journey, insights, and commitment to education remind me that innovation is not just about the future—it is about the choices we make today to keep growing, adapting, and creating.
Keep innovating!
Eulanda
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