The Team Behind Every Perfect Fit at Ivo Nikkolo
At Ivo Nikkolo, every garment is the result of careful craftsmanship and technical expertise. While designers create the vision, it’s the technical designers who bring it to life. They translate sketches into precise patterns, refine construction details, and ensure each piece meets high-quality standards before it reaches production.
Working closely with designers, manufacturers, and fitting models, they perfect the fit, select the best sewing techniques, and troubleshoot technical challenges along the way. From the first concept meeting to the final quality check, their expertise ensures that every garment is not only beautifully designed but also wearable, durable, and well-executed.
We spoke with our technical design team — Technical Designer Jaana Ruhno, Technical Designer and Pattern Maker Pille Nilp, and Team Lead Kristiina Mooses — about their roles, challenges, and what they love most about their work.
What kind of person would be a good fit for this job?
J: “A technical designer must be calm and balanced yet productive. You need to be good at time management, as there are always multiple tasks happening at once. Most importantly, a positive mindset is key.”
P: “This role suits someone who is precise and patient“
K: “Curiosity is crucial. This job is perfect for someone who isn’t just interested in the final product but also wants to understand how garments are constructed and how materials behave.”
What surprised you most about the role when you started?
J: “I was amazed at how experienced technical designers could recall every fabric, pattern, and article code from memory! Now I get it—these garments become like our ‘babies,’ each one special in its own way.”
P: “Working with digital pattern-making software was a big shift for me. At first, it seemed impossible to construct patterns on a screen instead of paper, but now I can’t imagine doing it any other way.”
K: “The collaborative nature of this job was a surprise. Ivo Nikkolo’s product development team works very closely together, discussing each decision, which makes the process more engaging and effective.”
What are the biggest challenges in this profession?
J: “A technical designer carries a lot of responsibility. Every decision from construction methods to fabric choices, and the fit of a garment impacts the final product. One of the biggest challenges is that production doesn’t always go exactly as planned, and you have to find solutions on the spot.”
K: “Understanding fabrics beyond just composition is essential. You need to know how materials behave in different conditions and how they should be handled in production. For example, certain hand-stitched details elevate a garment’s quality but also increase production costs, so we must make careful decisions.”
What advice would you give to aspiring Technical Designers?
J: “Be prepared for responsibility. A technical designer ensures that every garment isn’t just visually appealing but also functional, durable, and properly executed.”
K: “Know your fabrics, understand sewing techniques, and think beyond aesthetics—technical precision is just as important as design.”
What’s your favorite part of the job?
J: “Opening a new model file that designers have sketched. It’s like unwrapping a gift! There’s always excitement in seeing a fresh design take shape.”
P: “Seeing a pattern tested in 3D simulation. It gives instant feedback on whether the design works, and it still feels like magic every time.”
K: “Concept meetings—seeing the first sketches and brainstorming how to make them real is always inspiring.”
