Napping
Napping has nothing to do with a light rest in the afternoon. In fashion, napping is a finishing technique, where the short fibres are lifted from the fabric surface to create a ‘nap’. It can be achieved by brushing or rubbing fabrics or, alternatively, using a machine covered with fine wire teeth, which pick and raise loose fibres, fusing the ends together so nothing frays.
Necklines
Necklines outline of the upper edge of a garment —obviously — around or below the neckline. They come in many varieties of style from the low to the high, the square, the V, the halter, the sweetheart, the turtle, the polo and the scoop, to name a few.
Ombre
Ombre is when a colour graduates from light to dark, using all the tones of colour in the spectrum. The name comes from the classical Latin umbrare, meaning to shade or overshadow. Chiaroscuro shading is artist’s technique achieved by cross-hatching or shading and is very popular in haute couture. For an example, see John Galliano’s Rene Gruau Dior Couture collection from January 2011.