Posts filed under 'Sourcing'
I figure a good place to start talking about planning the Fall ’11 collection is to just start listing some of the things that I need to start getting together NOW and the things that I need to make sure stay on my radar the whole time.
Get it together
Literally – I want a collection that goes together. No matter how many styles I settle on for the final collection, they must be cohesive. Cohesiveness matters to more than just the look and feel of my collection- it matters to my overall brand building and my bottom line. If you are a small, just-starting-out business, then you are going to want to maximize your buying ability. You will want to use the same fabric in more than one style – this will help ensure you can ‘make the cut’ (meet the minimum yardage required by the supplier).
To get it together, I’m starting with a theme. I feel incredibly lucky to have been struck by a theme idea when I was doodling the other night. Right now, there is nothing solid behind my theme idea – but it gives me ideas for discovery. I’m starting with a combination of two keywords – those keywords are already inspiring me to look at fashions, cinema, movie posters, etc. from certain eras. They are basically a great starting point for exploring. Just an idea to kick-start your theme hunt – try random keywords together, jot down words that strike your fancy.
Plan, plan, plan
Right now – I’m gathering some discovery tools (sketchbooks, color books, reference books) and hashing out a broad time line for the production of my collection. From there, I can layer my marketing and sales plans on top of the production plan. To start your production plan, work backwards from your launch date (selling season for Fall collections is late Jan/early February through May; shipping starts end of July; of course, nothing is ever set in stone) and set at least the following milestone dates:
- Salesman’s samples complete
- Trade show booth (and/or marketing materials) complete
- Website/wholesale ordering information complete
- Sample (production or technical kits) dropped for assembly
- Sample fabrics ordered (I have a lot to share about sourcing in the next couple of weeks)
- Final patterns approved
- At least two cycles of: pattern design, test sample for fit, fit meetings, pattern edits, test sample for fit….etc.
- Technical Sketches complete
- Styles approved for pattern-making
- Final style meeting
- Fabrics sourced
- Logo, website, and stationary design underway
- Collection theme finalized
Keeping on my radar
So much goes into just developing a collection, that it’s easy for me to let a lot of the “launching a business” activities get pushed to the side. I will keep bookkeeping activities on my radar daily. Stay on top of your bookkeeping from the very beginning, if you can manage. In addition, I have to constantly and consistently work on your branding, pr, and marketing –>both the plans and implementation. We just wrapped up a new logo design today – I’ll need it on my hang tags and care labels, website and marketing materials, email signatures, social media site avatars, website, and on and on. This time around, I promise to keep the trade show booth design and trade show schedule on my radar from the beginning too. Also – supporting my sales rep by providing them with pre-launch information and sneak peeks at the collection.
Ok – enough to do right now and more than enough to keep on my radar, I think I just made myself dizzy!!
May 20th, 2010
I really thought that I would be up at the LA Textile Show today. However, my daughter’s playdate fell through yesterday and today was the only day to re-schedule. This is something the kids have been looking forward to all week, and the kids are absolutely my priority. And today was the only day I could have made it up to LA for the show. Ah well. When it all fell apart yesterday, I did what all good little entrepreneurs do, started thinking of plan B, what would be crucial to me about missing the show, and what I would do about it.
I wanted to go there to identify some new organic textile suppliers. I have lists of companies from shows past, so sourcing this time will involve a lot of phone calls and header /swatch / referral requests. But it can be done.
Really, the more I thought about missing the show, the more I realized how much I wanted to go for the fun of it. I love visiting the trending section and saying hello to existing suppliers. I love visiting new booths because nothing compares to having the entire collection in front of you to see / touch / ask questions about. It’s a fun part of the job.
But I also realized that I probably would have done what I always do and get running on different tangents and design ideas that aren’t realistic to implement this year anyways. We have taken great care over the last year to hone our product lines down to the best-sellers. The next design that I will put out is already sourced. We’ll keep adding new blanket prints and new designs for our organic collection, but the supplies and vendors for both of those are already sourced. Even the tools and equipment we’ll need to take us to the next level have been identified.
So, it’s not world-ending that I didn’t make it up to the textile show this week. I’ll definitely be itching to make it to the October show and at that time, I’ll really need some new woven organics (I want prints!!). I’ve finally learned the true calming beauty to taking everything one day at a time. It’s the only way to operate with any sanity as a mom, wife, and business owner.
Anybody out there make it to the Textile Show? Did you find some good new vendors? Anything to share about trends?
I was also wondering about the new show at the convention center – is anyone attending that one? I think it’s later this month.
April 16th, 2009
Oh crazy first month of 2009, I love you! This month was incredibly stressful scurrying to figure out CPSIA compliance, taking in some of our biggest orders to-date, and going on the roller coaster of having a best-selling product sell out (this is a fabric availability issue).
Ah, the CPSC has issued a one year stay on testing regulations for certain products. This was the news as of yesterday. Here is a link to the press release. Anyhow, what this does is let us go ahead with the testing we are doing and go ahead and keep selling the blankets. I think it’s important to note that you still have to comply – you can’t sell products with lead over the limits, but it seems you can decide how you’re going to do your due diligence and test your products, or accept certifications from suppliers (such as Michael Miller recently declaring all of their fabrics are CPSIA compliant).
We have new organic onesie designs and they are selling like mad. There was finally a noticable pick-up in January. We’ve seen so many boutiques go out of business in the last year, that it seems (cautiously optimistic) that those that have managed to stay in business are finally picking up some of the customer’s from the boutiques that are no longer around. For example, one boutique in the center of town just placed their biggest b*Fab order yet – they have watched no less than six competing boutiques go out of business in the last eight months (most of those were our customers too). At some point, even if all those businesses had less customers, one out of seven boutiques should now have more customers. This pendulum has to start swinging this way at some point, right? It seems to be for us.
We had a cute little poncho featured in the January issue of Pregnancy & Newborn magazine and that sucker
sold out almost immediately. Between the boutiques that managed to place wholesale orders and the online sales, it wasn’t even in stock for two weeks. The reason I’m bringing this up is because I ran into the good old fabric is now out-of-stock issue again. This time, we wanted to do another production run – it’s selling like mad, it will sell well through the Spring – but the fabric is no longer available. So, instead of being able to keep it available on the site, we are scurrying to replace the print fabric. The bright side is that now I know more about our potential and that informs me for ordering increased yardage and supplies for the next go round.
I can honestly say we’ve never worked as hard as we did in January. This could well be the year of the 16 hour days, but we’re up for it, because the business is growing up to it. I don’t let myself watch much news anymore either, it is seriously too depressing. I get it. I’m proceeding with more caution than I ever have before, I’ve learned a lot of lessons from the economy hitting the skids. But I have to focus on the positive and how I’m going to keep us going through this. It’s nice to be bringing in a great flow of business again – that definitely helps to see the bright side of things.
Here’s to the launch of a great February. And for me, a happy weekend when we’re actually doing some painting around the house.
January 31st, 2009
This post is in response to all the emails I get from buyers wondering where they can find unique products, and vice versa, from manufacturers wondering how to find buyers. So I wanted to share with all of you a great resource, no matter which side of the coin you’re on – the boutiqueup.com newsletters.
Lisa, from CreativeWritingStudios.com, has put together an bi-weekly email, similar to HARO, but aimed specifically at connecting buyers with manufacturers. There are two separate emails that go out – one where manufacturers list their product offerings and another where buyers who are openly buying list their product requests and contact information.
This is an invaluable resource for all of you who are looking to target your pitches at buyers who are actively seeking new lines. If you’ve been involved with any of the sales aspect for your company, then you know how hard it is to get the buyer’s attention, and even harder to find buyers who are looking for exactly what you’re offering. BoutiqueUp! is a free service (yes, I really said that and yes, it’s really true!), so make sure you sign up to receive the updates (sign up is at the bottom of the page).
Boutique UP! has a lot of additional services that you will want to look into – including a wholesale directory and wholesale catalog, and unique product reviews (she’ll create an amazing one-pager for you to send to retailers).
You should also contact Lisa if you are in need of writing services – she has incredible rates and I am familiar with her work, which is outstanding. She can write you web copy, your marketing materials, your press releases, etc. And like I said, the rates are reasonable for start-ups. Visit her at creativewritingstudios.com.
Keep on moving on!!!
January 24th, 2009
I’m starting to work through some of the email questions. Since I’ve received a few questions about how to source fabrics and find textile suppliers, I’ll try to give as many tips as I can (and please, everyone jump in with what I miss!).
How to locate suppliers that carry the types of fabrics you are interested in:
- Attend a textile show – you can touch and feel all the fabrics, learn about upcoming trends, and meet the reps in person. You also leave with a trade show directory, a virtual gold-mine for suppliers. This is pretty much how I’ve found all of my suppliers.
- Go to a fabric district – I’ve had some luck this way, but not much.
- Purchase directories of suppliers.
- Search for suppliers online.
Next, call potential suppliers and ask them to send you HEADERS, or swatch cards, and ask if they have a price list and / or website:
- If they don’t have a price list, you can call them back after you have the headers in-hand and talk to them about prices for each.
- They should send you cards with fabric swatches attached to a tag that contains the style numbers, care instructions, and fiber content.
- The headers are important – so that you can see and feel the different options they have before making a
- purchase. They can often inspire your collection.
Purchase sample cuts before placing a production order:
- After you select a few fabrics you’d like to try, you will call them back and ask for “sample cuts for testing”. – get enough to make at least two samples.
- Be very open with them about what you are making (and what price point you were hoping for) – they might have recommendations and options you don’t even know exist.
- Find out the availability of the fabric, some are a standard part of the suppliers line, some are seasonal. This will affect your design decisions, especially as a startup.
- Ask about their minimums, policies, payment terms, and method of shipping.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions!!!!
Before you actually go to market with production samples, make sure that you have verified the availability of the fabric. Just because a lot was available when you ordered the sample cut, doesn’t mean a lot will be available when it’s time to produce the actual garments (Oh, yes, I’ve learned this one the painful way).
October 7th, 2007
When you call or visit a textile supplier, one of the first questions you’ll get from them is “what do you do (make, manufacture, etc.)”? They ask you this because they want to help streamline your shopping experience. They also want to keep from wasting time if they are not going to be able to help you.
The more details you can give a fabric supplier, the easier you’re going to make your life. These people are never going to steal designs, they aren’t looking to see your tech sketches or design specifications. When I speak with a supplier, I’m very detailed about what I’m making, what qualities I’m looking for, and what I need. Right now, I’m scouting for jersey-type fabrics. I tell the supplier’s rep that I’m making babywear, I’m looking to make baby tees and body-suits. This doesn’t tell them anything too specific about my design, but it does give them a good picture of what type of fabric I need.
The other bonus to giving specific details is that the supplier likely knows about some fabric choices that you don’t know about. Keep in mind, they want the sales and they want the repeat business. They want you to grow and they want you to stick with them while you do. When suppliers ask you qualifying questions, or tell you they have high minimums, don’t be offended; but do ask them if they have anybody else they would recommend.
It’s a good idea to make a list of everything you’re looking for in a fabric before you call:
- type of fabric
- special care requirements
- price point
- minimums you’ll be able to meet
- specific color or detail requests
June 13th, 2007
I’m happy that I’m miraculously starting the planning for the Spring ’08 season relatively early – because we’ve just been thrown our first curve ball.
I have a very focused vision and the fabrics I need to make this vision happen have a longer-than-usual lead time because they are knit-to-order. I’m SO happy that the rep took the initiative to follow-up and call me back, and that she just happened to mention that because I have to get on the ball now. I have to narrow the selection down, make sure the finishing process I want to do is going to work and then get the sample fabrics ordered.
On the plus side of the whole knit-to-order side is that it enables me to make this a ‘forever’ baby line for us – I know the fabrics will always be available. As long as I’m prepared for the lead-time.
On the negative side, it means that I have to plan for orders well because if I have a 4 – 6 week lead time to get the fabrics, and a 4 – 6 week lead time to get the items cut & sewn, then I’m at least 8 weeks out from product-in-hand at any given time. So, I already have to adjust the “order sample fabrics” milestone on my project schedule.
And yet, I don’t want to over-order just because I think this is a brilliant idea. That’s why, the sales for this first round will be traditional – show the salesman samples, take orders, order the fabric (based on actual sales), and then place the production order. Once the collection is rolling, I visualize a contanst flux of production. Visualization followed by action makes dreams turn into reality.
May 16th, 2007
I’m very excited because it looks like I’m going to get to meet up with “friend” who runs Baby Nika out of Canada at the April Int’l textile show in Los Angeles. I put “friend” in quotes because we’ve never actually met in person, but we’ve exchanged a lot of emails and a few phone calls. She has decided to travel to the US because she’s sick of sourcing supplies over the internet and phone, and I’m very excited to meet her. We’ve been on the same path with our businesses from back when we didn’t even have our websites launched 
I’ve been going to this bi-annual textile show for a few years now. I definitely don’t make it up to all of them, but it is an invaluable experience every time I do. Even the first time, when I was an absolute deer in the headlights; that first time I learned so much about how the industry works. Since then, I’ve always had luck finding suppliers w/ low minimums that are willing to work with small design companies.
I have the advantage of proximity, being only a hundred miles away from Los Angeles, but I highly recommend it to anyone who can make the trip. My favorite part is the trends display they have in the lobby. It’s a great overview of the upcoming season’s colors and trends in textiles. It’s also a great launching point to start your day at the show. You can cruise around the tables and make notes of which suppliers carry the fabrics that are catching your attention. These notes can at least give you some basis of where to start.
Then it’s up to the show floor, and when you step out, it’s overwhelming. There are usually wide open halls full of booths and then rooms full of vendors as well. It always helps me to just walk it once. I learned at the KIDshow that everyone has different buying habits. I’m one who likes to walk it and get my bearings. On the first walk around, I will drop in on existing suppliers or companies that I’m already familiar with. Once I’ve done the first walk, I’ll go back and visit the booths that really caught my attention, in addition to any of the booths I want to visit based on my notes from the trends section.
It’s funny, at my first show, I was afraid to ask about minimums because I didn’t want to scream “Newbie” to everyone I met (I did anyways LOL). Now, if I stop in and see a fabric I like, my first two questions are price and minimums. These are the most immediate qualifiers for me. And if they are high, I now have no problem saying we’re relatively new and the minimums are out of our range. Trust me, the vendors appreciate that you’re not wasting their time either. If I really like the fabric, I’ll take their card and make note that I’d like to check them out again when we’re bigger.
The Textile Show is from April 16 – 18. If you follow the link, all of the pictures on the home page are taken in the trend & forcasting area in the lobby.
Also, if any of you out there are looking for suppliers with low minimums, I can point you to some for a wide variety of fabrics from plush micro-fibers to cottons. So feel free to contact me, at the very least I can copy pages from show directory. I can be reached at info@babyfabulous.com.
March 20th, 2007
