Fashion For Profit

One of many typical questions I get asked

One of many typical questions I get asked

Hello Frances:

My sister (cc'd on this email) and I have recently started a new company that aims to produce a patent pending t-shirt design. We are still in the prototype phase and have had trouble finding a seamstress/tailor that can develop the prototype given the unique design of the T-shirt. I hear that you "know EVERYONE" :-) so I am hoping you can help me find resources on the following:

• A seamstress or tailor in the Los Angeles or San Diego area that is able to work with cotton/lycra. I need someone who is knowledgeable with creating patterns and making clothing. As previously mentioned, the design is a unique T-shirt so the person has to be able to sew a non-typical/unusual pattern.
• Best resource for low-cost and allows for low-quantity orders of a cotton/lycra fabric and the quick dry fabric.
• Best resource for a Sales Rep with contacts into major department stores and boutiques.

Thank you in advance and best regards.

Julie

Hi Julie:

You have a nice list here for me to answer!

May I suggest you go to www.Fashionforprofit.com and www.fashionbizinc.org Both these sites are mine and maybe helpful with connecting you to the garment contracting associations, who have lists of sewing contractors in the Southern California area who specialize in sewing knit goods. It will be helpful if you can give your patternmaker specifications and measurements. Otherwise you maybe wasting time and money having samples remade until they are what you want.

To find a good rep it is like finding a good husband and requires some investigation, which only you can do.

First, inquire in stores you have pre identified as stores you would like to sell in as to where they buy their merchandise. Ask which shows they attend and do they deal with road reps or do they visit showrooms? If they visit showrooms can they help you with the right connections? Once you have a few names you can call them and ask if they would be willing to see your new line.

Also, ask the stores to please check your line out and to give you feed back as this will be helpful with your costing and merchandise selection and to see if they would be interested in buying your product.

Hope this helps.

Good luck!

Frances

Harder

FBI's Frances Harder and AIMS' Henry Cherner Return from Speaking Engagement at Chinese University

Happy New Year to all creative and fashion business minded blog visitors!

I am updating you on my recent trip to China, which I took just before the holidays. When I have time I will write more as it was a very mind changing trip that left me with much to ponder.

FBI's Frances Harder and AIMS' Henry Cherner Return from Speaking Engagement at Chinese University

China may be the world's apparel manufacturing giant, but it knows it has a lot to learn from how things are done right here in Los Angeles.

Fashion Business Inc.'s Frances Harder and AIMS Technology's Henry Cherner  returned from a week-long series of seminars in China. The trip was at the invitation of the Fashion Institute of Donghua University in Shanghai, and was sponsored by Newal Inc. a Shanghai based apparel manufacturer.

"The idea was to present to the university about the training the FBI has developed here in Los Angeles," says Harder. "One of the main reasons China was interested is that when they were under the "real" Communist regime, professionals were doing unskilled work. There was no real formal training. So they have this whole middle-aged group of people who missed out on training."

In addition to a large part of the population lacking the skills to keep up with China's growing manufacturing-industry needs, there is also, as in the U.S., a huge number of young people who want to be designers, Harder says. "But their technical patternmaking skills are very weak, and in order to improve product development they they need to strengthen these skills."

Cherner, president of AIMS, delivered a presentation on apparel-industry software, and Harder also presented on Full Package Production. In addition, Harder met with university representatives to discuss having her book "Fashion for Profit" translated into Chinese, and having Harder Publiations represented in China.

Harder says the trip was very informative for both the Chinese and for herself and Cherner. "We believe it will be the first step in future collaborations between the FBI and Donghua University," says Harder. "Perhaps we may partner with the university to help their instructors train industry professionals."

Regardless, it's opening a door to a relationship with China that could be productive for everybody.

"Our goal is to help the U.S. be more efficient dealing with China and other offshore manufacturers," concludes Harder. "The benefits will be to all of us in the long run."

Representatives from Donghua Unversity will visit the U.S. in February to see FBI seminars first hand, as well as attend the MAGIC International trade show in Las Vegas.