Start Up Kids Line

First curveball in the Spring ’08 season schedule!

May 16th, 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.

          

Entry Filed under: Design Project Schedules,Sourcing