Il Figurino di Moda is a comprehensive instructional textbook that teaches the Burgo method of fashion illustration, combining artistic drawing with technical precision used in the fashion industry.
 
This book was First published in the early 2000s and regularly updated
It has more than 400+ pages with 200+ drawings and sketches
Used globally in fashion schools, especially within the Istituto di Moda Burgo system
 
Core Content and Structure
 
1. Fashion Figure Construction
The book begins with the anatomy and proportions of the fashion figure, teaching how to build stylized bodies for:
 
Women
Men
Children
 
It uses a step-by-step progression, starting from basic proportions to fully rendered fashion poses.
 
2. Facial Features and Body Details
It breaks down each element of the body:
Face (eyes, nose, lips, ears)
Hands, arms, legs, feet
Hair and head positions
 
This analytical approach accuracy and consistency in illustration.
 
3. Stylization and Movement
A key strength of Burgo’s method is stylization:
Transforming realistic anatomy into elegant fashion figures
Creating dynamic poses and movement
Developing a recognizable illustration style
 
4. Colouring and Rendering Techniques
The book includes practical methods for:
Colour theory
Skin rendering
Fabric depiction (texture, folds, light/shadow)
It teaches both traditional media (pencils, watercolor, markers) and professional presentation techniques.
5. Garments and Accessories
Beyond the figure, it covers drawing:
Clothing types (skirts, trousers, collars, sleeves)
Shoes and bags
Jewelry and accessories
 
This links illustration directly to fashion design application.
 
 
6. Technical Drawing & Collection Development
An important section introduces:
Flat sketches (technical drawings)
Garment details for production
Portfolio and collection presentation
 
This bridges the gap between creative sketching and industry execution.
 
7. History of Costume and Designers
The book also includes:
Historical fashion evolution (Egypt to modern eras)
Influential designers and styles
 
This gives cultural and stylistic context to illustration.
Teaching Approach (What Makes It Distinct)
 
Methodical and structured: follows a curriculum-like progression
Highly visual: heavy use of diagrams, sequences, and examples
Practice-oriented: emphasizes repetition and technical mastery
Industry-aligned: integrates illustration with real garment design
It’s not just an art book—it’s a technical training manual for fashion designers.
 
Who It’s For
Beginners learning fashion illustration fundamentals
Intermediate designers refining proportion and rendering
Fashion students building professional portfolios
Pattern makers/designers needing visual communication skills
Bottom Line
Fernando Burgo’s Il Figurino di Moda is best understood as a complete system for learning fashion illustration, not just a sketchbook. It systematically trains you to:
Construct accurate fashion figures
Stylize creatively
Render garments professionally
Translate ideas into production-ready visuals
 
If you're studying fashion seriously, this book functions almost like a self-contained course in fashion drawing.