I get to work with amazing clients and be part of making clothes that fit the lifestyle, values, and bodies of real women. This year has been the busiest yet and I’ve had a lot going on behind the scenes. Today I’m excited to share a few exciting updates about Alison Hoenes Design!
I often get asked “should I make pattern blocks for each category before developing and launching my collection?” Blocks and slopers are what we all were taught to start with in fashion. However, I recommend a different approach that gets you testing your market quicker and is more efficient for future development.
Most of us agree that fast fashion is toxic. We see the dangers of fast fashion and are eager to change that mindset about our clothes. But, even once it’s gone from your wardrobe, the fast fashion mindset can still creep into your business.
Fashion Revolution Week is a big mission and there are many ways to get involved as a brand and as a consumer. Today I want to talk about five things you can do as a fashion brand to become a more ethical manufacturer and be part of that better fashion future.
Small batch production is an attractive option for brands that are just starting out and want to test their products in the market before investing in large amounts of inventory. But, while producing small batch has a lower environmental and start-up cost, the cost per unit is actually much higher.
If you’re designing for a business and not just for yourself, the numbers are important. It is true you can delegate much of the number stuff to an accountant, technical designer, or production coordinator, but there are some numbers that you as the designer really need to know and understand yourself.
One of the biggest challenges of a digital society is how do you keep returns low when customers don’t have the opportunity to touch, feel, and try on the clothes before they buy? There are things even on the design side that can help minimize returns. Here are five tips for designing apparel to sell online that will keep your return rates low.
Fast fashion has conditioned consumers to constantly expect something new more and more frequently. But, as the pandemic has changed our routines, needs, and buying habits, fast fashion may be suddenly losing its popularity contest as it’s counterpart, slow fashion, becomes the new normal.
Fashion is such a tactile industry, which makes it hard to imagine how fitting remotely could even work. The good news is it is totally possible. Fashion companies who manufacture overseas were already doing it in many ways, and I’ve been helping independent brands develop and fit their designs remotely since well before the pandemic.
What do you do if you find that your costs are too high and your factory can’t cut and sew your product for the cost you budgeted? Today we’ll look at four ways you can lower your cost to meet your target.