Begin with the wearer and occasion
Describe who the dress is for, where they will wear it, and the price position you are designing toward. Those choices influence silhouette, fabric, finishing, and details to prioritize.
Keep the brief specific enough to guide a conversation, but open enough to compare options.
Show the shape
Collect reference images and mark details that matter: length, neckline, sleeve, waist placement, fit, closure, and movement. An annotated sketch often communicates more than a paragraph.
List the decisions still open
Note which fabrics, colors, trims, labels, and logo placements you have chosen and which need discussion. Share your brief with the manufacturer and ask about current minimum quantities and timing for the exact design.