Richard Nicoll, RST12, London.

There are different ways that fabric can be contracted to curve to the body, or enlarged to create volume. One way of creating fullness and volume in a skirt or dress is by inserting panels into the fabric and these are commonly known as godets.

In the Richard Nicoll Collections for Resort 2012, the godet pattern method has been used to create skirts and dresses that are smooth over the waist and hips and then create fullness through the skirt. This also serves to lengthen the silhouette of the body of the garment, by lengthening the line of the garment down before it flows smoothly into the fuller folds of fabric.

Hem finishes appear to have predominantly been kept light weight so that the finish does not hamper the drape of the fabric. Hem finishes that are suitable for a similar effect could include a pin-on-pin hem, a babylock finish, or it could also be done with a rolled hem, depending on the fabric.

Catwalk image from Vogue.com» Diagrams from The Cutting Class.