The Fashion Figure aka the Croquis 
         In fashion, the term croquis refers to a sketch of a figure on which clothing will later be 
         placed. Unlike the human form, which is eight heads tall, the fashion figure (both male 
         and female) is nine heads tall or taller. 
          
         Female Croquis Proportions 
         In the female croquis, the 9th head is added to the length of the legs, specifically the 
         feet, which always appear as if they are in high-heels. The female croquis is high-
         waisted, with narrow hips, broad, square shoulders, and is often drawn in a contrapposto 
         pose (one hip up and one shoulder down) as seen in the figure on the right. 
          
                                                    
         Male Croquis Proportions 
         The male croquis still takes on 9 heads but unlike its female counterpart, there is less 
         distortion. The body is elongated proportionally and the pelvis remains at the vertical 
         center. The legs however, are thin and show no muscle tone unlike the upper body. 
          
                                                   
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
                  Fashion Illustrations 
                  If more than one croquis is used when presenting a collection, each croquis is drawn 
                  with the exact proportions (height, bust-line, waist-line, hip-line), so that the change in 
                  proportion of each garment is clear to the viewer. For consistency, the same croquis is 
                  often reused when drawing each garment. 
                   
                   
                  Fashion Illustrations by Alexander McQueen                              
                   
                   
                  Fashion Illustrations by Jason Wu                               
                   Fashion Illustration Presentation 
                   When presenting a collection, each garment is given a name or number as a means of 
                   identification and will usually include fabric samples. 
                    
                   Illustrations with fabric samples by Yves Saint Laurent                          
                    
                                                                                                        
                   Illustrations with fabric samples by Christian Dior