Understanding Fabrics and one reason why you aren’t hearing back from fabric agents

I see majority of my clients getting stuck with fabrics and I see this as the number one stumbling block for pretty much all of our clients.

Yesterday, I had a conversation with one of my mentees who is working on her special range of clothing, and she mentioned how stuck she is in the process of finding the right fabrics for her new range. She had approached three fabric agents altogether and received only one fabric as a sample which was incorrect, while the other two never contacted her back.

Well, this is a very common thing to happen, but you can totally avoid this situation by being more informed about what you really need to ask for when contacting fabric agents. I know it is frustrating so it is important to understand what a fabric agent needs from you so they can give you the information and fabric swatches you want.

If you are not specific, there is a greater chance that the fabric agent will not even respond to your request. For example, if you just say that you need 95% Polyester and 5% Lycra and nothing more, the fabric agents will know you are a start up designer and will consider your request too hard and time consuming as that might be more than 50% of their fabric range and they cannot send you a swatch of everything.

Fabric agents need more details. They expect you to have an understanding of fabric types when requesting swatches. Give them the impression that you have the knowledge, and you know what you’re doing.

Watch the video below where I am discussing fabrics to help you develop an understanding of the level of details that you need to go into when finding the right fabric for your fashion label. If you are new to the industry or planning to enter, then this video is for you.  Watch below.

 

If you are manufacturing offshore, one of the biggest myths is that the overseas factory source your fabrics and sourcing will become your sole responsibility as a designer if you start making local. This often becomes a huge stumbling block and discourage people to move manufacturing back onshore as they don’t know what they need, how to find it or who to go to.

Well, it takes a little bit of education to know what you’re asking for.

We talk about this myth in our FREE Guide: The 7 Myths of Getting Your Fashion Label Made Locally