Imagine: Fashion Designer - New York

Game review by Erin Bell, Common Sense Media
Imagine: Fashion Designer - New York Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 8+

Poor graphics hamper this look at the fashion industry.

Nintendo DS 2008
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Parents say

age 9+

Based on 5 reviews

Kids say

age 11+

Based on 12 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this game is part of a series of DS games produced by Ubisoft to help girls figure out what they want to be when they grow up. To an extent, the game presents the fashion industry through rose-tinted glasses, playing up the fact that everyone is happy and supportive, and playing down negative stereotypes like hyper-competitiveness, egos, and health issues with models. The all-female cast of models represent various ethnicities, but share the same rail-thin body type. Players can use the Nintendo DS's local WiFi capabilities to trade cards, garments, and photos with each other.

Community Reviews

Katnewyork
Katnewyork Adult
October 20, 2019
age 5+

Inspiring

I had no idea until reading some comments here that the “Imagine “ games were intended to help direct young girls in their career path, but for me this game did just that. My Mom purchased the game for me when I was 7 or 8 and I absolutely loved every part of it from styling the models to presenting your line on the runway- it was so professional and detailed for what I thought was just a simple DS game. I’d highly recommend this game or a choice from the imagine line for anyone’s child because it’s brilliantly thought out, it gives you real world scenarios and makes you establish a professional relationship with an employer- it’s just such a great exposure at such a young age. It might just be a game but that feeling of fulfillment from experiencing that profession stuck with me and helped me find my calling, it might help your little girl/boy find her/his way too. :)

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Easy to play/use
CSMContentDefault
CSMContentDefault Adult
March 27, 2017
age 10+

CSM Review Skimped On Quite a Few Details!

Some parents may not like the occasionally immodest clothes and crazy makeup (which I honestly didn't mind at all). But I was really surprised and a little disappointed to see that CSM didn't warn parents about the game's subplot: the main character falls in love with a guy who asks her to live with him. They do marry in the end, but it's still wrong for a kid's game. Also, in the song "Billy S." on the game's soundtrack, the word "****" is used (in the near-profane way), the word "hell" is used in "Suddenly I See," and all the background songs (except "Wake Up") are about romance, or have romance-related lyrics or themes. Imagine Fashion Designer:New York isn't a super-racy game, but considering the target gamers' ages, I think they could've done better with the game's plot and background music choices.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
See all 5 parent reviews

What’s It About?

Ubisoft's Imagine series is a collection of Nintendo DS games aimed at letting young girls and tweens explore professions like animal doctor, rock star and teacher. In IMAGINE: FASHION DESIGNER – NEW YORK, players experience what it's like to work at a bustling fashion agency in the Big Apple.

Players will get to see many different sides of the fashion industry as they juggle tasks like organizing photo shoots (snapping pictures of models as they pose), designing clothes (snipping and sewing with the stylus and choosing colors and patterns), supervising make-up sessions (using the stylus to apply nail polish, lipstick, eyeshadow and blush), styling hair by choosing different styles, dyes and streaks, and helping models strut their stuff on the catwalk by performing a set of pattern-matching mini-games. Players keep track of tasks and tips through a handy smartphone that also offers helpful tips about fashion do's and don'ts. In between tasks is a light storyline where you can interact with colleagues and pursue a budding romance with a handsome photographer named Mark.

Is It Any Good?

Imagine: Fashion Designer - New York could have benefitted from better graphics, since some of the outfits really don't look very good. Also, if players make a mistake (such as choosing the wrong hair color), they have to start the entire task over again which can get tiresome. On the other hand, the assignments are varied and fun, calling for players to meet different sets of criteria each time. For example, a photo shoot at the Japanese embassy calls for an Asian model in a kimono with red lipstick and eyeshadow, white blush, and no accessories. Overall, Imagine: Fashion Designer – New York is a fun, but not spectacular, peek into the industry.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether they would enjoy working in a fast-paced place like New York, or a less hectic and less exciting town. What were some of your favorite hairstyles and "looks" that you created for the game? Do you think the game fairly represents the fashion industry.

Game Details

  • Platform: Nintendo DS
  • Available online?: Not available online
  • Publisher: UbiSoft
  • Release date: October 7, 2008
  • Genre: Girl
  • ESRB rating: E for Mild Lyrics, Mild Suggestive Themes
  • Last updated: November 4, 2015

Our Editors Recommend

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