5 Issues Factories Have With Fashion Startups, And How To Avoid Them.

5 issues factories have with fashion startups.

There's no doubt that launching a clothing line is tough. It takes dedication, knowledge and time. Many of my clients find dealing with manufacturers the hardest part. It can take a while to find a good fit for your product, and the sampling process can feel laborious, so making sure you've got your process streamlined will help.

Make yourself a desirable startup client.

Often start-ups take an unconventional approach with factories, because they don't know any better and this sometimes leads to frustrations from potential suppliers. In turn the startup can feel deflated, deterred and not sure how to move forward. Learn the processes involved and educate yourself in the stages of manufacture.

I've put together the top 5 issues factories have with fashion startups and some tips to help you avoid these.

1. Lack Of Technocal Design Information

One of the biggest time wasting approaches I see amongst start-ups is contacting a prospective manufacturer without any tangible information in the form of completed CAD designs, tech packs and size specs. You might know what you want to launch in your fashion range, however a collection of photos, rough ideas and a vision is not going to cut it with a factory.

At best you'll end up with some cobbled together samples that don't represent your ideas. At worst you'll come across as unprofessional, a newbie they'll have to hand-hold and probably someone they don't have time to coach.

This raw information is what you should discuss with someone like myself - a designer, not a factory. It's tempting to be pro-active and find a factory early on, but you have a much better chance of striking a professional relationship with a potential supplier if you can hand over factory packs for each style.

Create professional factory packs for each style

2. You Don't Speak The Fashion Language

Understanding the correct fashion terminology will help you extensively when discussing your designs with a factory. Take some time to find out the relevant vocabulary that describes your styles, whether that be the fabric quality, the types of trims being used and any special details that make up your design. This information should be itemised in your factory packs from your designer, but make sure you can converse with your supplier in the language of the industry and understand the details. If you can't then use a fashion consultant who will have your back every step of the way.

Use an expert in fashion to help you

3. Having Unrealistic Expectations For Your Clothing Brand

Being aware of minimum order quantities versus price per unit is incredibly important. It's great to have target prices that you hope to produce something for, but if you only want to produce something small like 50 pieces per style then the price is going to reflect that small order.

Equally so, your small MOQ may have an affect on how many colours you can order per style, how specific you can be with base fabrics and how much it will cost to produce anything specific to your brand such as branded hardware.

4. Having Unworkable Timelines For Your Fashion Brand Launch

When you hand over your designs for manufacture, the samples won't appear instantly. Your prototypes will take less time than your bulk production, however you should always allow enough time for re-sampling, allowing for your factory's workload and general turn around time. Each factory will have a different lead time, often booked up weeks to months in advance depending on the time of year. Just because you're ready to go doesn't mean you can dictate timescales for your suppliers. Utilise a realistic fashion calendar to plan your critical path.

Be realistic with times and expectations

5. Unwillingness To Compromise

It's great to aim for that gold standard with your collection but sometimes a little compromise goes a long way. It may be your factory can't source the exact composition of fabric specified in your tech pack, however if they have an alternative does it also do the same job? Sometimes your need for small MOQ's might dictate what you can do in terms of design for branded items like buttons, badges, labels and trims. You may have a better chance at getting what you're looking for by using an available quality and branding that.

Understand where to compromise.

In summary the main takeaways here are:

1. Prepare your designs in a professional manner with all technical and sizing information in place.

2. Do your homework and liaise with your designer to understand what it is you're asking for.

3. Research MOQs.

4. Be realistic with your timeline.

5. Compromising will get you a long way.

If you need help launching your fashion brand then get in touch and we can discuss your needs - info@thefashionexpert.co.uk

Michelle Ramsay - The Fashion Expert®

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5 ways my e-book will help you launch your fashion startup.

Fashion Startups' Guide To Apparel Manufacture

If you're a budding fashion entrepreneur trying to navigate your way through the minefield that is the fashion industry, you might be feeling a little lost as to what happens next.

You're probably feeling in the dark to the steps needed to launch your brand, such as design, sampling and manufacture. How do you start to take that raw idea and get it manufactured?

If this sounds like you and right now you're lacking a plan then you're not alone. Finding good, reliable information about the fashion industry can be really difficult for startups and those trying to break into it.

That's why I wrote The Fashion Startups Guide To Apparel Manufacture. and here are 5 reasons it could be well worth your investment.

1. You'll gain insider knowledge instantly

Working with start-up brands for over 5 years now I know exactly the things you're going to ask before you've asked them. With this in mind I've created an easy to understand e-book that takes you through each stage you'll find yourself at on your journey from idea to manufacture. You will start to understand the processes, the terminology, and the language of the fashion industry, as well as key expectations a designer, manufacturer and supplier will have of you.

2. Your confidence will triple

Armed with this new found knowledge, you will be much more at ease knowing what should happen next. You will be able to start formulating your plan of action and strategies for your brand in terms of design, sampling and manufacture.

Fashion Startups' Guide To Apparel Manufacture

3. It'll help you get ahead of your competition

Without a clear plan of action it's easy to make mistakes. It can be tempting to jump on into the dark and have a go, but unless you learn your craft you'll never get it right. Take some time to invest in this new venture, learn your stuff before you plunge in and get ahead of the competition with proper guidance and information.

4. You'll save money long term

I see a lot of disasters! Clients that come to me to mop up a previous mess where they have spent a lot of time, and worse still, hard earned cash! When you don't know the correct processes you should be following, it's easy to get duped by false promises. Sometimes it's not always the fault of the factory. They can only produce based on the information you give them. If it's light on professional content, and lacking in skilled detail, you're likely to get a sample that reflects the poor input. This guide will show you the protocol of design, techs and specs, as well as walk you through sampling and production. Getting things right first time round means a more cost effective outcome. Suddenly a small initial investment seems like a game changer!

5. You'll become a more desirable client to a manufacturer

Unfortunately fashion startup brands are not the most desirable clients for a clothing factory. They've seen the unprepared brands asking them to make a garment based on a photo, and realise a lot of these clients need to be guided or prompted which sounds like a lot of hard work for them. Unsurprisingly, a lot of initial enquiries are ignored. This e-book will teach you everything a factory needs from you to successfully manufacture your collection. If you follow the steps in the guide, you'll be a much more desirable client through your organised approach and professional attitude.

If you'd like to start off your fashion launch the correct way then you can buy the guide here.

10 Tips To Ace A Fashion Trade Show

Fashion trade shows and expos can be a great way of gaining inspiration, knowledge, contacts and suppliers. Attending as a visitor to a show can be an overwhelming experience, especially if it's your first time so use these tips and tricks to help get the most of your trip.

1. Pre-register

The five minutes it takes to register online are worth their weight in gold when you arrive and see the queues to register on the day.

2. Plan your route

Work out how to get to the show in advance so you're not wasting time on the day. Get clued up on public transport or book rides to and from to the venue prior, avoiding huge taxi queues at the end of the show.

3. Dress appropriately

Venues are generally hot, and filled with swarms of people. Layer up to allow for variances in winter. Most expos have a cloakroom so use it. After stand 30, you'll be ready to give away your Burberry Trench just so you don't have to carry it. Dress for comfort, including practical footwear as those feet are going to hurt!

4. Take some snacks

There are never enough places to eat or grab a drink, and there are certainly never enough seats, so taking some water and pocket size snacks like seeds or nuts will keep your energy levels up.

5. Do your homework

Most trade shows will publish an online show catalogue in advance. Locate your "must sees", note their stand number and if possible schedule an appointment.

6. Have a plan

Pick up a show catalogue if you don't already have one. Use the bathrooms (they'll be scarce!) and drop off any items at the cloakroom. Head for your furthest away point and work your way backwards. Not only will these stands be quieter, your feet will thank you later.

7. Take what you need

Make sure to remember all items of stationary, contact info and literature about your brand. It's handy to keep this all in a separate folder which you can easily access or take out from your bag.

8. Manage your time

Allow yourself plenty of time. From experience most shows take longer to get round than you think. The larger shows need more than one day so factor this into your schedule. If the show has numerous halls, areas and pavilions then split these into chunks over the days.

9. Be respectful

Taking photos can be a sticking point. It's a good idea to ask permission about this from the stand staff.

10. Be selective

It's tempting to grab every piece of literature you see, but after a few hours you're going to regret having to carry this around. Don't pick up every brochure, only take what you'll truly use.

Image - Copyright Premiere Vision

Hopefully these tips will help streamline your experience!

I'm attending a lot of shows in 2019, finding new suppliers, new inspiration and fabric innovations for my design clients www.michelleramsaydesign.com

Which trade shows are you attending this year or next?

Comment below and let me know...

Michelle Ramsay

The Fashion Expert ®

www.thefashionexpert.co.uk