Accordion Pleats

Accordion pleats are made by folding fabric alternately in and out with even spaces between the parallel folds, creating projecting pleats that resemble the bellows of an accordion in action and in appearance. There are two kinds of accordion pleats;

• Hand formed accordion pleats - folds spaced at least 1/2 inch (1.3cm) apart, marked, formed and  steam pressed by hand.

• Mini  accordion pleating - folds spaced no more than an 1/8 of an inch (3mm) apart, mechanically formed on a smocking pleater.

Most of the pieces in Prada's 2012 Ready-To-Wear Collection detailed accordion pleats;

BCBG Max Azria's Pre Fall 2012 Collection saw accordion pleats incorporated into much of the pieces;

Accordion Pleats: Ruffian Spring/Summer 2007;

Accordion pleating: 1960's Balmain Couture

Accordion pleating: Viktor and Rolf Spring/Summer 2009 Couture;