{"id":821,"date":"2017-05-31T07:30:53","date_gmt":"2017-05-31T06:30:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/insider.utelier.com\/?post_type=features&p=821"},"modified":"2019-07-15T12:20:35","modified_gmt":"2019-07-15T11:20:35","slug":"fashion-factory-ignores-designers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fashioninsiders.co\/toolkit\/business-basics\/fashion-factory-ignores-designers\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Reasons Why a Fashion Factory Ignores Designers"},"content":{"rendered":"
Finding a fashion factory in the first instance is difficult enough but how do you begin that all-important first conversation, that will hopefully lead to a lengthy union? This can be done in a few ways, such as by email or telephone, or even by setting up a video conference call. Whichever way you choose, firstly you need to get informed about their operation. Secondly, present yourself as someone who is professional and knows what they\u2019re looking for. However, in spite of doing all these things, some business relationships are just not meant to be. The following five reasons should shed some light on why these partnerships fail to make it out of the starting gate.<\/p>\n
Problem: <\/strong>It\u2019s the middle of summer and your collection needs to be produced within 3 weeks. A buyer from a renowned store has placed an order at the last minute and your usual fashion factory can\u2019t cope. You have found a factory that manufactures similar product categories and their quality looks good judging by the images on their website. You send them an email explaining your dilemma and even offer to pay a premium considering the order needs a quick turnaround. You never hear back from them.<\/p>\n How factories think: \u00a0<\/strong>The summer months are one of the busiest times of the year in the fashion calendar. \u00a0Good fashion factories work to full capacity in order to get their trusted clients work done in time for July deliveries. Even if they had an opening they would still dismiss the enquiry. Prior to embarking on full production, they would need to produce samples of the items to test them out, and this takes time.<\/p>\n Solution: <\/strong>Honesty with your new buying client is the best policy. Their expectations are unrealistic. A better approach would have been to suggest to the buyer that you would need to get back to them after checking with the factory if they can fit this late addition and how soon they can manufacture.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Problem: <\/strong>You\u2019ve spent weeks searching for the perfect fashion factory. Finding one to produce your artisan handmade belts has been no mean feat. Your contact at a well-known high street establishment has been using a factory in North London and recommends them as they\u2019re a bit quiet at the moment. You\u2019re aware that they mass-produce simple webbing belts but decide to overlook this very important aspect, and send them an email with some images attached.<\/p>\n How factories think: <\/strong>As a factory that produces simple, mass-produced products they would never consider working with a designer who wants to produce artisan, handmade belts. Belt design covers so many markets and they\u2019re well aware that their particular speciality, high street and simple, don’t cover your products, artisan and handmade. Their workers will be trained to add hardware to lengths of pre-cut webbing so would be totally out of their depth and confused by producing something so alien.<\/p>\n Solution: <\/strong>Finding the right factory is no ubiquitous feat as it takes time to find one that ticks all of your boxes. More research needs to be undertaken to ensure that the factory can fulfil your particular needs. Do they have a website with a list of past clients’ work? If they do have a website, take a look and make sure that their processes are similar to yours. Email the factory introducing yourself and attach a list of processes that you require. Ask questions and if they respond,\u00a0make an appointment to see them. You may also find that one factory can\u2019t perform all of your processes so bear that in mind too.<\/p>\n Problem: <\/strong>You have just sent the following email to a factory you\u2019d like to work with.<\/p>\n \u201cHi there, I am a womenswear brand specialising in leisurewear. I\u2019m looking for a manufacturer to make my collection and I wondered if you are free to work with me? What should I\u00a0do next?”<\/em><\/p>\n How factories think: <\/strong>A lack of knowledge is evident by the simplicity of the email. If I was a fashion factory owner my first thought would be, why hasn\u2019t this designer done some research and made an effort to find out what we actually do? Having a design idea translates to just an idea. No other developmental processes have been put in place and these are all necessary requirements before you approach a factory. I can imagine that the last question \u201cwhat should I do next\u201d would frustrate the factory. It isn\u2019t their responsibility to educate you on the production process.<\/p>\nWrong Fit<\/h3>\n
Lack of Knowledge<\/h3>\n