Designing fashion used to mean mood boards, hand-drawn sketches, and back-and-forth emails with manufacturers.

But today, brands are working faster, managing more SKUs, and collaborating across time zones. That pace isn’t easy to keep up with, especially if your team is still juggling spreadsheets, PDFs, and disconnected tools.

That’s where fashion design software makes a real difference.

It brings structure to your creative process, connects your design and production teams, and gives vendors the details they need without the email chains. From building tech packs to approving materials and tracking changes, the right software gives your team more visibility and fewer headaches.

To help you stay ahead, this guide breaks down what fashion design software includes, which tools stand out in 2025, and how to choose the right one for your team.

What Is Fashion Design Software?

Fashion design software is a digital workspace that helps fashion teams plan, create, and manage products from the initial concept to final production.

It replaces disconnected tools by bringing everything into one centralized system. This includes design sketches, measurement specs, fabric and trim details, and communication between teams. The goal is to keep everyone aligned and reduce delays caused by scattered information.

The software typically includes features such as digital tech pack creation, reusable material libraries, standardized templates, and approval workflows. These tools support both creative development and technical precision, allowing teams to work faster and with fewer errors.

For brands managing multiple collections or working with external partners, this type of system helps keep track of every detail so designers, developers, and vendors are always working with accurate, up-to-date information.

9 Best Fashion Design Software Tools for 2025

Fashion teams today need software that supports fast execution, clear collaboration, and accurate product data. Below are nine fashion design tools that stand out in 2025:

1. Onbrand AI Design

Onbrand AI Design combines the speed of an AI-powered design tool with the structure of PLM, making it a complete fashion design software built for fast-paced teams. It brings concept generation, garment visualization, and real-time collaboration into one connected workspace.

From sketching ideas to sharing final assets, the Onbrand AI Design helps teams create, edit, and manage styles in one connected workspace. It supports both creative and production workflows.

Designers can explore new concepts, test materials, make edits on the fly, and export files directly to PLM without switching platforms.

Teams using Onbrand report 10x faster design turnarounds, 30-50% fewer physical samples, and over 10 weeks of development time saved per year.

Generative Design From Text, Sketches, or Photos

Start your design process with a simple prompt, a scanned sketch, or an inspiration image. 

Onbrand’s AI generates photorealistic design concepts instantly, helping your team move past the blank page and into high-quality ideation that’s tailored to your brand aesthetic.

Design Iteration and Expansion

Refine or expand on existing designs with just a few clicks. Test different colorways, adjust trims, or tweak silhouettes without redrawing or starting from scratch. 

Onbrand helps teams explore more variations in less time and keeps creative momentum high during revisions.

Photorealistic Renders and Flat Outputs

Convert rough ideas into high-quality flats or on-model visuals that are presentation-ready. Whether you're pitching to buyers, getting internal approvals, or communicating with a factory, Onbrand creates visuals that are both beautiful and production-useful.

Built-In Moodboards and Line Planning

Organize references, sketches, and AI-generated styles into interactive moodboards. 

You can annotate, group items into collections, and use these boards to plan cohesive lines, right inside the design workspace without jumping to another app or deck.

Real-Time Co-Editing and Feedback

Collaborate with teammates in one shared file where updates sync instantly. No version conflicts, long email threads, or duplicated work. 

Everyone stays on the same page, which is especially useful for distributed teams working across time zones.

Layered Design Editing

Swap out sleeves, test different necklines, or apply new prints without altering the entire design. Onbrand supports layer-based editing, so you can isolate and adjust components easily. 

This makes it simple to create style variations or fine-tune details without redoing your work.

Responsive Design Previews

Preview how your garments appear on different body types, poses, and sizes. These responsive views help you catch proportion or fit issues early, improve inclusivity, and reduce costly surprises during physical sampling.

3D Garment Simulation

Bring your designs to life in 3D and visualize how they move and drape in real-world conditions. 

Onbrand’s simulation engine helps assess styling decisions with greater accuracy, reducing the guesswork in early development and supporting smarter fabric and fit choices.

Version History and Rollback

Every change is automatically saved and tracked, so you can go back to previous iterations or compare versions side by side. 

Whether you're revisiting a past concept or fixing a change that didn’t work out, it’s easy to stay organized and in control.

PLM-Ready Exports

Onbrand integrates with your existing PLM system, allowing you to export design files, specs, and images directly without additional formatting. That means less busywork, fewer manual uploads, and faster handoffs to production teams.

With everything in one place, Onbrand gives fashion teams the speed, visibility, and creative control to bring better products to life faster. Sign up now for a 7-day free trial! 

2. CLO 3D

Source: clo3d.com

CLO 3D is a 3D fashion design software platform that helps designers visualize garments with realistic draping, fit, and movement. It supports both creative and technical workflows, offering tools to build accurate patterns, simulate fabrics, and test designs on customizable avatars.

The interface is designed for professional designers who need a clear view of how a garment will behave before moving into physical sampling.

With real-time garment simulation and detailed pattern editing, CLO 3D is used across the design development process, digital fitting, and visual presentations.

It plays an important role in the fashion industry by supporting more efficient workflows and reducing the need for physical prototypes during the early design process.

Key Features

• 3D garment simulation – Visualize how garments drape, move, and fit on digital avatars.

• Pattern design tools – Create and edit flat patterns with full control over seams and sizing.

• Fabric and material libraries – Choose from preset textiles and apply realistic properties to test design variations.

• Avatar customization – Adjust body measurements, poses, and animations to evaluate virtual fitting performance.

3. Browzwear VStitcher

Source: browzwear.com

Browzwear VStitcher is a professional-grade fashion design software used for 3D garment development and virtual prototyping. It combines digital design and pattern-making capabilities with fabric simulation to help teams visualize and refine garments before production begins.

The platform supports both creative exploration and technical accuracy, giving fashion designers full control over patterns, materials, and garment fit.

VStitcher is widely used across fashion brands for digital sampling, material testing, and improving speed to market. It plays a key role in helping teams cut costs and reduce reliance on physical samples during the early stages of the design process.

Key Features

• 3D garment visualization – Simulate real-time garment fit, fabric behavior, and motion.

• Pattern design and grading – Draft, adjust, and grade patterns directly in the 3D workspace.

• Material and trim libraries – Apply fabric textures and physical properties using an extensive library.

• Size set simulations – Preview fit across multiple sizes using customizable avatars.

4. Marvelous Designer

Source: marvelousdesigner.com

Marvelous Designer is a 3D design software known for its advanced garment simulation and realistic designs.

It is widely used across digital fashion and media to create dynamic garments for visual presentations, product prototyping, and virtual content. The software supports both creative exploration and visual storytelling in the early stages of fashion design.

The platform allows designers to construct and refine garment patterns in an intuitive 3D workspace. With real-time simulation and natural cloth behavior, Marvelous Designer makes it easy to explore styling, proportion, and fit without relying on physical samples.

While commonly used in animation and gaming, it also supports fashion teams focused on detailed, high-fidelity visuals.

Key Features

• 3D garment creation – Design and simulate clothing directly in a 3D workspace with real-time feedback.

• Fabric behavior control – Apply realistic fabric properties to evaluate how garments move and drape.

• Pattern editing tools – Create, modify, and stitch patterns with visual accuracy and flexibility.

• Layering support – Test styling combinations with multiple layers and accessories in one scene.

5. Style3D

Source: style3d.com

Style3D is a digital fashion platform that brings together design, simulation, and collaboration in one workspace.

It’s built to help fashion designers visualize collections, explore materials, and test garment fit using 3D fashion design tools and motion previews. The platform supports both visual creativity and technical accuracy throughout the design process.

Style3D allows teams to design garments, simulate realistic fabric movement, and collaborate on feedback without relying on early physical samples.

It is often used to build virtual collections, refine concepts, and support fast iteration during the creative process. With flexible tools for shaping, styling, and fitting, it supports design workflows from concept through presentation.

Key Features

• 3D garment modeling – Design clothing in a 3D workspace with tools for shaping, fitting, and styling.

• Motion simulation – Preview how garments move during walking or posing scenarios.

• Material application – Apply different fabrics and visualize drape, weight, and texture in real time.

• Collaboration features – Share visuals and updates across teams for faster design feedback.

6. Adobe Illustrator

Source: adobe.com

Adobe Illustrator is a vector-based design tool often used by fashion designers for sketching, flats, and layout work.

While it’s not built specifically for fashion, it remains a core part of many digital design workflows thanks to its accuracy and file control. Designers use it to turn early fashion ideas into clear, structured visuals.

The software allows users to draw outlines, adjust components using layers, and organize collections in one workspace. It works well with other tools in the process, especially for visuals used in tech packs or concept sheets.

Illustrator supports both early design exploration and detailed garment illustrations across different stages.

Key Features

• Vector sketching tools – Draw precise flats and outlines using scalable paths and shapes.

• Layer and artboard management – Structure multiple styles, views, or variations in one file.

• Style and swatch libraries – Add fabric fills, pattern details, and color groupings across designs.

• Export flexibility – Save graphics in multiple formats for use in development documents.

7. Raspberry

Source: raspberry.ai

Raspberry is a design generation platform tailored for fashion teams working on early visual exploration. It allows users to create garments using short text prompts, sketches, or image references, producing either flat sketches or photorealistic visuals for concept development.

The tool supports flexible editing, enabling designers to test variations in silhouettes, trims, and colorways without starting from scratch. It’s commonly used for moodboards, internal reviews, and early creative development across teams.

Raspberry is often integrated into workflows where fast ideation and high-volume visual testing are important, though external tools may still be used for technical development and production steps.

Key Features

• Prompt-based design generation – Create garments using short descriptions, hand-drawn sketches, or existing templates.

• Visual editing tools – Modify colors, fabrics, and trims with targeted adjustments.

• Style variation controls – Quickly explore new looks while keeping design elements consistent.

• Photorealistic exports – Output on-model or flat visuals for use in presentations or design reviews.

8. NewArc

Source: newarc.ai

NewArc is a generative design tool for fashion teams focused on visual storytelling and style exploration. It allows designers to transform sketches, text prompts, or references into styled garment visuals that reflect consistent brand direction.

The platform supports scene control, model rendering, and styling filters, making it useful for concept presentations, moodboards, and internal alignment. Batch export tools are also included to support fast output of visuals during creative reviews or line planning.

NewArc is typically used during early ideation phases and creative planning cycles. For technical execution or detailed product development, it is often paired with additional design or PLM software.

Key Features

• AI-assisted visual generation – Turn ideas into styled garments using prompts or reference images.

• Style filters and consistency tools – Maintain a cohesive look across multiple concepts.

• Model and backdrop rendering – Preview garments in styled environments or on virtual models.

• Batch export capabilities – Generate multiple visual variations for collection development or review.

9. Refabric 

Source: refabric.com

Refabric is a visual design tool built to support fast-paced fashion teams during early-stage planning and creative development. It enables designers to generate garment visuals from text or reference inputs, organize ideas into moodboards, and explore seasonal directions with ease.

The platform supports collaboration across teams by providing shared visual workspaces and easy-to-edit inspiration boards. It’s designed to improve creative alignment and reduce early sampling cycles by helping teams visualize styles before moving into full development.

While Refabric is primarily used for concept generation and planning, it integrates well with broader design systems when used alongside technical or production-focused software.

Key Features

• Visual generation from prompts – Create style concepts based on short inputs or images.

• Moodboard and inspiration tools – Organize styles, references, and feedback in visual boards.

• Design variation support – Explore trims, silhouettes, and color updates quickly.

• Shared workspaces – Collaborate on ideas and visuals across design, merchandising, and planning teams.

How to Choose the Right Fashion Design Software

Choosing the right fashion design software depends on your goals, team structure, and how your design work is organized. Below are key factors to help evaluate what fits best for your process.

Understand Your Workflow

Start with a clear view of your current design process. Are you creating flats, managing patterns, testing drape, or building digital collections? 

Matching software features to specific tasks helps you avoid unnecessary tools and stay focused on what moves your designs forward.

Define Your Priority Features

Look for tools that support your must-have tasks, whether that’s fabric simulation, pattern making, or virtual prototyping. If your work includes many rounds of revisions, features like version control, real-time editing, or grade patterns might be key. 

Prioritize design software that supports your actual day-to-day needs, not just trend-based capabilities.

Think About Who Will Use It

Consider the skill level and needs of your team, whether it's design students, experienced users, or a mix of both. 

Some tools offer customizable templates and a user-friendly interface that make onboarding easier. Others require more technical knowledge and may suit teams with advanced training.

Check Compatibility and Integration

If you already use a PLM or asset library, look for software tools that offer seamless integration. 

Exporting specs, syncing designs, or linking mood boards across platforms should be simple. Compatibility saves time and keeps your team aligned.

The Smarter Way to Design Starts With Onbrand!

Fashion design today takes more than creativity. It requires speed, structure, and the right tools to keep work moving without delays. 

The best design software brings your entire process into one space, helping turn ideas into finished products with fewer steps and fewer errors.

Onbrand AI Design gives teams a connected, AI-powered workspace to create, edit, and manage designs without switching tools. 

With real-time collaboration and full visibility, teams report 10x faster design turnarounds, 30-50% fewer physical samples, and 10+ weeks saved per year.

When timelines shrink and product counts grow, Onbrand helps you work smarter, not harder. Get started with a 7-day free trial and begin designing in seconds!

FAQs About Fashion Design Software

Which software do fashion designers use?

Fashion designers use a variety of tools depending on their workflow, team size, and focus. Many turn to platforms like Onbrand for digital concepting, editing, and collaboration. Others may combine 3D software for garment visualization with vector tools for technical drawings. Choosing the right platform depends on your need for accuracy, speed, and creative flexibility.

What is the best free software to design clothes?

There are a few open-source software tools available for those just getting started. While they offer basic sketching and layout options, they often lack advanced features like fabric simulation or real-time editing. For professional teams creating unlimited designs and managing many iterations, investing in a purpose-built platform like Onbrand offers more structure and resources.

Can I design clothes digitally?

Yes. Designing clothes digitally has become the standard for many fashion teams. It reduces material waste, saves time, and helps teams work across locations. Digital tools also support creative designs and make it easier to test and present garment designs long before sampling begins. Onbrand, for example, allows you to explore design ideas with AI, test styling, and share visuals all in one workspace.

What are the 3 types of fashion design?

The three common types include haute couture, ready-to-wear, and mass market. Each has its process, timeline, and design requirements. An experienced designer may also work across MTM patterns (made-to-measure), fashion shows, or special collections, depending on the brand’s focus. Today’s tools support a vast range of workflows, combining the flexibility of modern tech with the structure traditional methods often lacked.

How is fashion design software changing the fashion world?

Fashion design software is reshaping the industry by giving designers the ability to create faster, communicate more clearly, and reduce waste. In today’s fashion, digital tools support both creativity and productivity, helping brands of all sizes run their business with more visibility and less back-and-forth. From solo designers to global teams, software like Onbrand makes it easier to stay competitive and bring better products to life.