This paper first provides a critical review of the literature regarding the contemporary apparel (product) design process, and then proposes a new apparel design process. Apparel is a general term for products which covers dress, skirt, etc. The new apparel design process applies a so-called systematic design approach well known to field of design. The systematic design approach classifies a design into four phases, namely, task classification, conceptual design, embodiment design, and detail design. The four phases are then tailored to apparel design. The new apparel design process is thus more rational and systematic. The paper uses a gown (a type of apparel) design as a case to illustrate the benefit of this new apparel design process, i.e., improved potentials to make apparel design more creative and efficient.Copyright © 2015 by ASME